Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
Decware Audio Forums
03/29/24 at 00:31:31 




Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Zen OB Build (Read 22204 times)
ZYGI
Seasoned Member
****


HR-ONE

Posts: 757
Zen OB Build
08/04/10 at 15:42:38
 
These are a couple of pictures for the Zen Open Baffle speaker we are currently building for Ryan K. Might help for anyone attempting to build these with the plans offered on the site.




Back to top
 
 

All Decware amps and sources, Turning Point Audio speakers
  IP Logged
ZYGI
Seasoned Member
****


HR-ONE

Posts: 757
Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #1 - 08/04/10 at 19:38:12
 
Back to top
 
 

All Decware amps and sources, Turning Point Audio speakers
  IP Logged
Bartemus
Ex Member



Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #2 - 10/19/10 at 06:14:06
 
Thank you for the pictures, I just got the plans and getting ready to start a build. May I ask how much MDF you needed and do you know if anyone has done a cutting plan? I couldn't tell from the plans but will calculate it out as soon as I have time.

Regards,

Stuart
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
ZYGI
Seasoned Member
****


HR-ONE

Posts: 757
Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #3 - 10/19/10 at 13:09:16
 
Batemus,

You will need two sheets of MDF as you will need to make a couple of jigs for cutting  the 4 matching sides. And one more for the dado for the sliding slot.

If you notice in the picture which looks like it is up side down, we left the sides project beyond the top section with the port and the back. We cut the sides 1/4" deeper than the plans and 1/4" taller where the port plate is. This was done because the joints are almost impossible to hide after you have finished the cabinets, they will show through in time even if they are perfect the day you finish your cabinets. By making them proud of the two surfaces you can make it a design feature rather than a design/build flaw.

ZYGI
Back to top
 
 

All Decware amps and sources, Turning Point Audio speakers
  IP Logged
Bartemus
Ex Member



Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #4 - 10/20/10 at 00:35:13
 
Thank you and also for the tip on the joints. That's a good point.

Regards,

Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
phildcamp
Ex Member



Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #5 - 11/23/10 at 06:10:10
 
nice!

i plan to build a pair of these in the spring when the weather is nice. those photos helped boost my confidence a lot.

thanks
phil
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
Bartemus
Ex Member



New build
Reply #6 - 12/14/10 at 00:27:29
 
I have completed a ZOB build and have been trying them out for the past week. Here are some pictures and comments on the build.

Following the tip from ZYGI, I built the entire thing of MDF. I was able to get pre-veneered MDF for about $13 a sheet from a local bargain shed so the entire build was extraordinarily inexpensive (I think I spend more on paint and stain than the materials).

General comments:

While this build does not involve difficult woodworking (e.g., complex joinery) it does require care and precision. The openings between the chambers of the box and the sliding panel (#7) are only 1/8 and 3/16 inch. Since the box is constructed primarily using the side panels to align the center panels, all of these panels need to be cut precisely square and very close to the right length.

It is worth taking some time to make sure that your table saw, miter guide and other equipment is properly squared and tuned up before making cuts. Since the panels are constructed beginning at one end (with panel #1) and joining the remaining panels in sequence, any errors in length or squareness will tend to accumulate as each new panel is added. Thus, you can come to the last panels in sequence (e.g., #6) and find that the opening is neither straight nor the right size.

It follows that the slots in the side panels also need to be cut at precisely the same height and angle or the gaps will be the wrong size or vary in width. This is almost impossible to do on a table saw. It is better to either make a precise jig for a router or cut the slots by hand and chisel them out.

One approach that helps (though it won’t fix major misalignment) is to wait until panel #5 is in place, then cut #6 to give the proper gap.

Suggestions:

These are some things I found useful during the build. Your mileage may vary.

1.      This should be obvious, but make sure that all the interior panels (#1-8) are cut at the same time with the rip fence in the same place. That way you will be sure that they are exactly the same width and will form a box without gaps when joined to the side panels.

2.      During glue-up of the last panels (esp. 5, 6, and 8) it is useful to dry fit the sliding panel #7 in place with spacers to set the gaps to the right size. This is shown in the photo. You can then adjust the fit and mark exactly where each panel should be place.

3.      If you are using MDF, the slot cut into the side panels makes the long arms very fragile. They can easily break where the slot is cut since there is only about ½ inch of MDF there. In addition to being careful, I think it helps to put a cross-brace near the top. If you look a the photos of the new ZOB produced by Decware, you will see that they are using one there now (though it does not appear in the plans). This also gives an additional attachment point for the front panel.

I’ll try to post more thoughts as they occur.

Cheers,
Stuart

Back to top
 

zero.jpg
  IP Logged
Bartemus
Ex Member



Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #7 - 12/14/10 at 00:29:56
 
This shows the spacers dry fit in place. You can see where the place for the interior panel has been marked.

Stuart
Back to top
 

one.jpg
  IP Logged
Bartemus
Ex Member



Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #8 - 12/14/10 at 00:30:50
 
The completed speakers, sounding good!
Back to top
 

two.jpg
  IP Logged
waveydavey
Verified Member
**




Posts: 33
Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #9 - 12/14/10 at 23:36:33
 
Nice work Cool

So how do they sound so far?

Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
Bartemus
Ex Member



Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #10 - 12/14/10 at 23:53:47
 
I am extremely pleased with them thus far, definitely the best sounding speakers I have built to date.

They do no give a thumping bass but sound extremely natural with any kind of voice or acoustic music. Certainly handles natural bass instruments in something like a cello or guitar with aplomb. For good recordings there is a clear sense that the artist is in the room. Sound stage is very wide and well defined.

I'd like more direction on how to adjust the stuffing and sliding panel but it sounds good with just trial and error (currently the box is loosely stuffed pretty full and the sliding panel is open the width of the mouth).

Unbelievably efficient. Very easily driven to mind numbing levels with a tube amp or small T-amp.

Does that help?

Stuart
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
ZYGI
Seasoned Member
****


HR-ONE

Posts: 757
Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #11 - 12/15/10 at 02:27:17
 
Stuart,

 Very nice looking build. Great job.

ZYGI
Back to top
 
 

All Decware amps and sources, Turning Point Audio speakers
  IP Logged
Bartemus
Ex Member



Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #12 - 12/15/10 at 02:41:00
 
Thanks ZYGI, it's a fun build (though I don't like working with MDF much).

Also thanks again for the tips.

Cheers,

Stuart
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
4krow
Seasoned Member
****


IMAGINE WHIRLLED
PEAS

Posts: 1606
Re: Zen OB volume
Reply #13 - 09/15/11 at 01:27:31
 
Does anyone know the internal volume(cubic feet) of the resonating chamber?
Back to top
 
 

Decware 34I.3 integrated amp/Forte' 3 bass amp/Velodyne SMS-1 bass mngmnt system/Decware ZOB speakers/Audio Nirvana 8" bass drivers/Xiang Seng DAC/ LR Audio Computer/Rega Apollo R CDP/Emotiva ERC3 CDP/BPT 3.0 power cond.
  IP Logged
4krow
Seasoned Member
****


IMAGINE WHIRLLED
PEAS

Posts: 1606
Re: Zen OB Build
Reply #14 - 09/17/11 at 17:37:38
 
I am answering my own question here about the resonating chamber volume. It is close to 2.17 cu. ft.
Back to top
 
 

Decware 34I.3 integrated amp/Forte' 3 bass amp/Velodyne SMS-1 bass mngmnt system/Decware ZOB speakers/Audio Nirvana 8" bass drivers/Xiang Seng DAC/ LR Audio Computer/Rega Apollo R CDP/Emotiva ERC3 CDP/BPT 3.0 power cond.
  IP Logged
Pages: 1
Send Topic Print