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AUDIO FORUMS >> D.I.Y. >> Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
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Message started by Geno on 09/06/22 at 12:44:41

Title: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Geno on 09/06/22 at 12:44:41

Inspiration from the likes of John and Donnie, I decided to have a go at making new speakers. The design is a variation of the Liionidas baffle.

I’m moving into a new house next month, so I decided to start fresh. I did not want to lose the Randy Rash curve in my baffles, but that was outside my crafting ability.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by EdwardT on 09/06/22 at 14:17:26

Really interesting wood pattern, what is it?

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Geno on 09/06/22 at 15:54:42

Acacia butcher block counter top - 1.5"

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by RonP on 09/06/22 at 19:29:34

Ok, Geno. This is interesting. I mean.. are you me? :)

I spent all weekend listening to my new-ish Caintuck Fast 8s and have all but deicded to sell my tower box speakers. The Betsy Fast 8 needs more base, but otherwise sounds fantastic. Just last night I stumbled onto the Leonidas OB speaker design. Lii sells the baffle for $800.

Please keep us posted on your progress and your findings. I want to head down a similar path as you. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Ron

Ps. And I too am moving soon and own the CXN V2 + Mr T diffusers. This is spooky.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Geno on 09/06/22 at 22:29:21

Hey Ron.

Perhaps we are brothers from another mother ;D

I had definitely thought about getting the baffle from Lii, but did not want to spend the $800. Buying the countertop, and making it myself, I'm only out about $240.

I have been running this driver combo for several years now, and like them very much. Changing the layout and material has slightly different sound characteristics (mostly with the C-10 being about 10" higher). The solid hardwood has a positive effect too.

Best,

Geno

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by RonP on 09/06/22 at 23:45:47

Wow! $240 is a bargain. What are you doing to replicate the supports/brackets on the back of the baffles?

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Geno on 09/07/22 at 02:49:41

The supports on the back are exactly like the Liionidas. I may put a few more small angle braces on just for extra support.

I’ll say this too - coming from 1.5” Baltic birch plywood baffles, the solid hardwood has made a pretty surprising improvement in SQ. I was really just going for a nicer look, and the improvement in sound is a bonus.

Best,

Geno

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by tempest62 on 09/07/22 at 08:23:49

Really really nice Geno! You are a master.

Brad

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by JBzen on 09/07/22 at 09:50:42

I knew you could do it. Just start, that is all. Plywood, mdf, drywall, osb materials just have no business serving as open baffle sound boards. Solid wood is the real deal!

Nice job Geno!

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by GroovySauce on 09/07/22 at 11:54:41

Geno, those look terrific! Willing to share a photo of the backside? Acacia is a beautiful wood.

Good luck with the move! It's exciting and exhausting in my recent-on-going experience.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by tempest62 on 09/07/22 at 16:32:51

Hey Geno,

I’ve said similar before and I’ll say it again….your vintage gear is a turn-on!

Brad

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Same Old DD on 09/07/22 at 18:11:23

Beautiful job, Geno!

I have been looking at laminated hardwood counter top materials for a while. Closest really cool ones I can find to me are a five hour drive away in an Ohio company delivering Amish jacks of all trades goods.
But amazing selection and the prices are even better.
Just can not justify a ten hour round trip any time soon for my own fun stuff.
Shipping is prohibitive!

You said you made yours like the Liionidus open back baffles, so did you have the metal bracing fabricated for you?
And the base?

Some inquiring minds want more details. You've inspired many!
;D

Adding:

I will DITTO what Brad just posted.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Geno on 09/07/22 at 21:17:32

Thanks guys!

The vintage gear is great, but I had to take the tubes out of the line-up when I put my house on the market. With my Decware amp on the floor, it was going to get stepped on for sure. The good news is that the house sold a few weeks ago, but with the move into the new house coming, I just left the Zen in the box.

DD,

I got the corner bracing for the back from Lowes. And the butcher block came from them too. Two 25 x 48 pieces for $119 each. And the shipping was free. As heavy as it was, I don't know why they offered to do that?!?!

I had enough wood left after cutting the face pieces, to make 12" deep bases too. Could not have worked out better.

I hope your wife is doing well. You guys really went through the ringer. Speedy recovery.

Best,

Geno

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Donnie on 09/07/22 at 22:02:17

I wish that I had the guts to build speakers!

Great job Geno!

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Geno on 09/08/22 at 00:46:38

Donnie, you mean guts enough to build more than one pair a month!

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Geno on 09/08/22 at 00:59:12

Here is a photo of the back. I plan to try the Liionidas side panels on each side of the bass drivers to see how that sounds.

Also, I plan to come up with a better speaker terminal setup. Tidy things up some.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by 4krow on 09/08/22 at 20:32:39

I just hafta ask. How hard is this wood to work with? There have been times that I was sorry for choosing the wood that I did on certain projects.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Same Old DD on 09/08/22 at 21:53:44

Loooking good, Geno!

Thanks for the heads up about Lowe's. I honestly had not taken them seriously for such materials as you have found.
Our local ones (three within a close drive) each have a hundred feet of counter tops standing on end, various lengths, finishes, widths, compositions, but the only ones they display are either partical board or solid poplar base with laminated tops and I did not want to go that route.
I had not thought to expore their custom/special order catalog.

I usually want to just go in and get what I want and get out from any of the Big Box stores.
After unchecking the "search only local pick up" box on my account I found all kinds of neat hardwood stuff I did not know they had available and almost all items include free shipping.
That free shipping is because they already have most things sitting in a warehouse somewhere and run dozens of trucks out of their warehouses every day.
If you can wait for the next truck, they will bring your order to your local store free of shipping charges.

The acacia is beautiful, but I am probably going with a light maple butcher block. I have a long way to go still, but you've opened my mind and encouraged me.

Thanks, again.

PS
Mrs. DD is doing great, thank you. I added to my other thread concerning her recovery, today.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by Donnie on 09/08/22 at 22:04:52

I'm thinking about trying some bamboo plywood.

Here in the middle of a cornfield is a hardwood desert, but there is a Lowe's and a Menards close by. Maybe Lowe's is the answer.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by RonP on 09/08/22 at 23:06:56

Thanks for the picture of the back, Geno!

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by jec3504 on 09/17/22 at 17:05:46

Wow Geno,

They look great nice job. Interesting to hear about the improvement switching to solid hardwood.

Joseph

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by GroovySauce on 09/17/22 at 22:42:32

Geno, looking good. I'll say it again they are beautiful. My guess is they look better in person too. The W15s are a fantastic subs pair with the Crystal 10's... oh buddy! I hope to hear the W15 and C10 together some day.

Title: Re: Geno joins the D.I.Y. club
Post by deucekazoo on 11/03/22 at 02:12:39

Beautiful!
I like the look at that wood quite a bit. I bet they sound great.