Built my own Caintuck Betsy baffles from scratch. Randy was nice enough to provide me with a paper pattern. I plan on getting some blue wood dye to finish them up. I happen to like blue and I'm tired of wood stained speakers I been making since my teens.

I must say Randy really knows what he's talking about. The Betsy drivers sound WAY better in the small baffles sitting on the floor than they did in my tall baffles made for a set of Sterling Silver Iris Duets. The sound-stage really opened up, and the treble sounds much clearer (not real sure why this is, but it's very noticeable). These speakers are far more accurate than my old EV LS12's or LS8's every were. I couldn't be happier. I can see why these are getting great reviews in the audio press.

Excuse the instrument clutter. I find if they are out of sight, they simply don't get played as much as they should. Here they are out of the way and in plain sight to me.

]I must say Randy really knows what he's talking about. The Betsy drivers sound WAY better in the small baffles sitting on the floor than they did in my tall baffles made for a set of Sterling Silver Iris Duets. The sound-stage really opened up, and the treble sounds much clearer (not real sure why this is, but it's very noticeable). These speakers are far more accurate than my old EV LS12's or LS8's every were. I couldn't be happier. I can see why these are getting great reviews in the audio press.
Excuse the instrument clutter. I find if they are out of sight, they simply don't get played as much as they should. Here they are out of the way and in plain sight to me.


Dave

I'm using a 60/30 watt ultra-linear/triode PP amp (TAD-60) in triode mode with them. Sounds good in either mode. Don't have anything else to hook up to them at this time. Would love to try a single ended amp of maybe 8-10 watts sometime, but won't be anytime soon.

Dave

Hey Randy,

I'd believe a two watt amp could do that. Hooked directly to the speaker with no crossover really makes a difference. When I had my SSI coaxial speakers (96 dB/W 1 meter) hooked up and very used to their sound, I went and hooked up my vintage EV LS12's (94 dB/w 1 meter) and they played way louder at the same setting on my amp. The crossover was really sucking the juice on those coaxial drivers. The Betsy is pretty close to as loud as the EV's at any given volume setting, but with more extended range on both ends and a more neutral midrange.

I do find it amazing how well those EV's perform, them being a 1958 design. They still sound better than many newer and more expensive speakers sound.

My Betsy sounds very good with my TAD-60 on either Ultra-linear or triode setting. I'm using triode more for Betsy's sake than any perceived difference in sound. I felt 60 watts is a lot for that small of a voice coil. 30 watts is more than enough, even for watching movies. The Betsy's never protested loud explosions and earthquakes, etc.

I haven't made grills yet, but will one of these days I fear my two 60 pound dogs might damage them while getting rambunctious. Thankfully, the speakers are light enough to just pick up and move out of the way when not in use. I still have to get a pair of handles for them, which will make it almost too easy.

All in all, I'm very happy with these. Someday, when my ship comes in, I'll get a single ended amp for them.

Dave