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SUPPORT FORUMS FOR DECWARE SPEAKER PLANS >> DECWARE Imperial support forum >> I'm building an SO Imperial
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Message started by Young_SC on 10/01/07 at 10:06:53

Title: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 10/01/07 at 10:06:53

Hello Gents,

Having been kindly provided with the desired dimension for Brace A, I've started building the cabinet.

I've cut the outer shell except for the top piece (would have done them all but I followed the wrong script and measured once, cut twice :()

I've made one Brace A which can now be used as a template for the others.

Following some more of Zygi's advice on another thread for making Brace A, I've decided to take some photos to provide others with a visual cue who may want to tackle the project. I'll also take other photos along the way as I get around to doing more work and as I remember to get the camera out for those, like myself who enjoyed Randy's escapades.

I drew the Brace A shape onto a piece of MDF, cut around it with a jigsaw and then nailed a straight piece of wood along each line to allow a flush router bit to do the work of cutting the straight line.

Note: Zygi's instructions were to use a pin nail arrangement to hold the straight piece.

1) I didn't have any small nails handy
2) I was going into MDF not ply

I'm not worried because the piece will be out of sight.

Simon

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by paulc on 10/01/07 at 11:32:40

After listening to Randy's SO's, I'm here to tell you that your efforts will be rewarded.

dennis

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 10/06/07 at 06:42:12

Brace A's cut. Need to buy some screws etc before assembling the main box.

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 10/14/07 at 08:34:54

Brace A's all cut.

Outer box partly assembled

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 10/14/07 at 08:39:57

Question for those more experienced. I've bought a 12" woofer instead of the usual 15".

The picture below shows the 15 incher against the 12 incher. Should I position it so the bottom of each speaker are in the same place (Diagram A) or should I position it so both centers would be in the same place (Diagram B)?

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Bart_West-VL. on 10/14/07 at 09:27:59

I vote to put it in the center (B)
The sound will be in the same placement as if it was a 15"

With the little man in there, it really shows the size!! :o

B.

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 10/15/07 at 01:01:36

Hi Bart,

That's my thinking as well, the only consideration that prevents me from going down that path is the 'making sound by blowing across a bottle top' effect which loads the horn. If the speaker is too far away from the start of the horn, I'm worried that I won't get much bass coming from the horn mouth.

Simon

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Bart_West-VL. on 10/16/07 at 16:25:28

I think you might have to scale the Karlson slot down to fit the 12" driver.
I'm pretty sure about it, but please mail Steve to be sure.

B.

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by ZYGI on 10/24/07 at 03:57:41

Simon,

I can't give you a definitive answer here, but one would think the slot would have to be scalled back, at least the start point which matches up to the inside dimension of the 15" driver.

I would suggest, if I was trying it, build the front plate with an adapter which would accept the 12 driver in the 15 inch hole, that way if it doesn't work a whole new cabinet wouldn't have to be built, You could also make the 12" hole offset, much like your "A" drawing up above. This would enable you to rotate the adapter around until the correct placement was found. Or if all else failed, you could install the 15"er like the plans call for.

BobZ

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Gexter on 10/24/07 at 04:15:20

Now we know one more reason Bob builds Decware speakers.
:)

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 10/24/07 at 10:28:48

Thanks Bob,

You're a Champion!!

I'll use option A and reduce the size of the K-Slot to be the same size as the 12 inch driver.

I might just screw in the panel that holds the driver in case it doesn't work, it's probably easier with my skills.

Simon

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 10/24/07 at 10:31:22

And thanks Bart, your advice on the K-slot has been confirmed.

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Randy in Caintuck on 10/24/07 at 14:07:48

paulc wrote on 10/01/07 at 11:32:40:

After listening to Randy's SO's, I'm here to tell you that your efforts will be rewarded.

dennis

Howdy Simon,

As paulc observes, I'm thinking that you will be pleased with your project ..... 8-)

I'm running my SOs a little differently than at first. Instead of running them in parallel with the Parker Audio Behemoths from the Decware Select, I have a pair of small plate amps that are driven from the speaker taps of the Select. Since purchasing the CSP2, the main speakers go a LOT lower and fill in the upper bass frequencies that the SOs were previously handling. With the SOs crossed over at 40-50 hz in a stereo configuration, the blend is very fine indeed ..... and things like the lower strings of acoustic or electric bass, lower keys of piano and kick and kettle drums have a wonderful fullness and presence ..... :)

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Best wishes,

Randy

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 11/18/07 at 07:27:04

Haven't been devoting an enormous amount of time to the project, but have made some small progress.

Main box with Brace A's cut, but not fixed. The strips resting across the top are for the two braces running top to bottom along the back of the cabinet.

Picture of the inside cabinet (not my finest effort). Need to go at it with a belt sander especially the panel extending out the top.

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Valiant on 11/18/07 at 14:27:30

Howdy Simon, I can hear it already from here. Great work.
Have you ever heard the Imperials? There are two in Perth,
but I don't know if Jake is actually using them, I will be catching up
with him soon and find out wazzup.

What finish do you have planned for the MDF?

Cheers,
Gaz

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Valiant on 11/30/07 at 12:34:52

Hey Simon,

After building the half Imperial, I'm getting the itch to build a full sized Imperial.
I miss those super low bass notes and the effortless delivery. This time I would like
to try using MDF.

What thickness MDF are you using?

Cheers

Gary

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 12/01/07 at 04:27:47

18mm

There is a minimal deviation from the 'imperial' measurements in the provided plans, but with the size of the cabinet I don't believe that will be much of an issue.

Sitting here eating some lunch to give me some energy to go into the garage and continue working on the box. Will try and take some photos.

Simon

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 12/01/07 at 04:29:40

Regarding finish, I am planning to paint it the same colour as the feature wall in the background of my avatar. The sub is going to sit behind the TV, so I want to try and camouflage it somewhat.

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 12/01/07 at 23:58:25

Here's where I'm at at the moment. Only need to do a few more things before I can paint it. Doesn't mean it won't take a long time though :).

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Valiant on 01/16/08 at 13:23:02

Hey Simon, howz it goin?
I'll be in Perth this Thursday afternoon to catch up with
Jake and the Imperials, should I bring my paint brush?
Cheers
Gaz

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 01/19/08 at 10:57:40

Lol

I was planning to do some more over Christmas, but lethargy and test cricket won.

I am building my motivation again and may do some more on the long weekend.

Simon

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 02/28/08 at 09:13:52

Alright, a burst of energy (actually the realisation of many projects building up) has forced me out to the garage in the summer heat.

The thing is painted awaiting installation of the driver and the help of some hefty lads to help me get it inside. I also still need to build a box to house the plate amp.

For those who may question the colour, it is the same as the wall it will sit up against. Since it's so flipping big, I chose to do that to make WAF plausible.

I tested the unit a while ago, the driver seems keen to move a lot so I'm worried that it is not going to be fast enough to keep up with the HDT's. If this is the case it will be relegated to HT use until I can get my hands on a 15 inch. Unfortunately that means 2 more trips for the hefty lads.

Simon

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Valiant on 02/28/08 at 13:40:24

Beautiful is a word that comes to mind. Well done.
Certainly a unique and special piece of furniture.

Just a question on driver replacement. Is the SO designed
to be taken apart for that task?

Cheers

Gaz.

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 02/28/08 at 22:08:28

Valiant wrote on 02/28/08 at 13:40:24:

Just a question on driver replacement. Is the SO designed
to be taken apart for that task?

Cheers

Gaz.

Hi Gaz,

Yes it is. The panel containing the K-Slot is screwed on, allowing removal.

Simon

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by gexter on 03/02/08 at 16:45:20

Very Nice indeed!.
looking forward to your impression when you match them with the HDT's
I will bet that they will be great. and you will not have to delegate them to HT duty.
Like to know how it works out because I still have secret hopes of building one. Just not sure where I can hide it so the wife never sees it ;)

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Valiant on 05/05/08 at 13:34:26

Hey Simon, Hows's things with the SO. I maybe up in Perth in a week or
so to pick up some more gear off Jake. Should I drop by?
Gaz

Title: Re: I'm building an SO Imperial
Post by Young_SC on 06/01/08 at 02:16:09

Hi Gaz,

Sorry I missed your post. Next time you're in town, send me an email.

Just got the Imperial fired up yesterday for the first time. First impression is good. I'm not trying to produce bass overload, but it definitely fills in the bottom end.

As we know it's not the most diminutive speaker in the world.