Post by Randy in Caintuck on 12/21/20 at 23:01:54
When I first started offering the Betsy baffles for sale to the music loving public, the primary intent was to provide a simple speaker that sounded good, was modestly priced and was of a size and weight that made them easy to place and move in a listening room.
A favorable WAF and ease of shipping was also a consideration .....
Since 2015, there have been many requests from prospective customers for larger baffles as well as "thicker" baffles with either a flush mounted driver or a rear mounted driver with a roundover on the front of the driver opening.
The introduction of the Decware Audio models ZF15M and ZF15L made any thoughts of larger baffles unnecessary and moot ..... since I had (and still have) no interest in building and shipping anything in a carton larger than 24".
I'm still totally blown away by the sonic illusion that the low profile baffles provide with the stereo image / soundstage "floating" above the baffles and pulling an incredible visual and sonic "disappearing act".
However, the requests for the thicker baffles that are more in line with "audio furniture" have continued, so I recently built a pair of baffles for my personal audio system to see what the results would be and how they would perform sonically.
Here are the results ..... in Sapele (African mahogany)
Larger photos here, here, here, here and here.
As you might imagine, these speakers are a "bit" more work and additional materials ..... so I'm still kicking around the pricing structure, but the first order has already arrived from one of my local audio buddies .....
.As to the sound, I don't hear a huge difference between the "Plus" baffles and a pair of the thinner baffles, but they will provide another option for someone who prefers a different look.
I'm working on another pair with "flush mounted" drivers on the front and will see how they turn out and compare visually and sonically.
I will be offering the "Plus" baffles with all of the current driver options.
More info to come as I figure it out .....
Happy listening,
Randy
