Arke
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Post by Arke on Nov 20, 2022 18:54:26 GMT
More progress on the Vaders recently. Most upper enclosure parts are complete and everything looks like it'll line up nicely. The front baffle construction will start soon - this is the most complex (and daunting) part to make, so I have left this until last! Here is a Vader enclosure compared to the Ekta mkIIs. Bear in mind that the Ektas are around 35 litres volume and the Vaders around 88 litres - quite a difference. Even the inductor for the 8" driver is massive!
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Post by macca on Nov 20, 2022 19:58:19 GMT
88 litres, that is a big speaker! Do you know what they will end up weighing in at?
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Nov 20, 2022 20:11:57 GMT
88 litres, that is a big speaker! Do you know what they will end up weighing in at? Based on initial weighing of parts and totting up component weights around 65kg per channel. I've split into 2 enclosures as don't fancy lugging 65kg around to demos! Bass enclosures (12" bass and 500W plate amp - fully passive is an option too) around 30kg. Upper enclosures (29mm tweeter, 6.5" mid/bass, 8" mid/bass) around 35kg. Height is 1100mm, width 340mm (base) 200mm (top), depth 560mm (base) 380mm (top).
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Post by macca on Nov 21, 2022 19:34:29 GMT
The two cab arrangement seems to make them pretty manageable despite the size. Good to know.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Nov 24, 2022 19:56:43 GMT
Yesterday was a big day for the Vaders!ย I have finally fabricated the front baffles for the tweeter, 6.5" and 8" drivers.ย I have been putting this off, as it's an extremely complex part - well, for me to make 'by hand' anyway! (table saw and router too!ย ). The baffle is made from a single piece of 40mm caramel Bamboo plywood.ย It is a tapered shape and comprises some complex compound bevels - these are 45 degrees but the depth of bevel changes from top to bottom.ย This may seem easy to some people, but it certainly made my brain hurt.ย It had to be perfect and both baffles completely identical and symmetrical.ย In addition it is a stepped baffle so the tweeter is set back 10mm behind the two mid/bass drivers.ย Oh, and the whole bevel tilts back at 5 degrees.ย ย After some hours and a lot of concentration the baffles were pretty much complete (they still require large chamfers to the rear of the mid/bass holes - for drivers to 'breath'): Edit: the dark lines are pencil lines. No sanding or finishing yet - this is straight after cutting.
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Post by pete on Nov 24, 2022 20:34:25 GMT
Some really professional work there.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Nov 24, 2022 20:42:18 GMT
Some really professional work there. Thanks Pete, really appreciate that - it took a lot of concentration!
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Post by antonio on Nov 25, 2022 6:59:42 GMT
A master at work - well done.
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Post by zleepy on Nov 25, 2022 7:38:56 GMT
Beautiful work. You have not made it easy for yourself. All those angles on the bevels...Incredible.
/Karl
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Nov 25, 2022 9:00:14 GMT
Beautiful work. You have not made it easy for yourself. All those angles on the bevels...Incredible. /Karl Thanks Karl. No I don't make things easy, it's definitely a challenge! Compound bevels took some thought and care. The bamboo for the baffles is ยฃ40/piece, so mistakes are expensive!
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Dec 14, 2022 19:57:45 GMT
EXTERMINATE...! Well, the Daleks... Erm, VADERS are nearly there! My wife entered the workshop, looked at the Vaders and exclaimed "take me to your leader!". I think she liked them... She's loves Doctor Who, so I must be on to a winner! Our household has just had Covid sweep through, so things have slowed down lately. Our 3 year old daughter was wiped out for one day and then bounced back - she soon returned to an insatiable bundle of crazy energy. At that point my Wife and I succumbed, fortunately, it was reasonably short-lived and not too bad. The Vaders now have 3mm bamboo veneer all round. This took about a week and involved gluing all the areas (or pairs of areas) step by step. I have 10 clamps and could've used many more! I have also added the low vents to allow the 12" bass drivers to breath. The base of the speakers will be raised on outriggers too. I'm really pleased with how the shadow gaps between the enclosures have worked. ๐ A little more sanding, and then it's time for Lacquer and final fit out. It's all getting quite exciting now! They should be all ready in early Jan, this is also when I am expecting the 12" bass drivers.
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Post by pete on Dec 14, 2022 20:04:52 GMT
Looking awesome Jason
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 14, 2022 21:36:40 GMT
I think if I lived 10 lifetimes, I still wouldn't have the required skills to build something like this.
Completely baffled by the angles, the technique around making seamless veneer joins and how anyone makes a simple circular hole look perfect.....I have no idea.
When these are built and run in, I will be first through the door for a listen. I think I'm more excited than you are ๐๐
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Post by brian2957 on Dec 14, 2022 22:00:30 GMT
Glad the family got over Covid quickly.
The fit and finish on those speakers are outstanding. You have a special skill mate.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Dec 14, 2022 22:08:07 GMT
I think if I lived 10 lifetimes, I still wouldn't have the required skills to build something like this. Completely baffled by the angles, the technique around making seamless veneer joins and how anyone makes a simple circular hole look perfect.....I have no idea. When these are built and run in, I will be first through the door for a listen. I think I'm more excited than you are ๐๐ Cheers Oli. Every little step is relatively simple, there are just 1000s of them! I wouldn't be able to build these without all of the CAD drawings โ the angles are extremely confusing. I reckon I can rival your excitement, my expectations are high ๐. You'll have to be quick for first listen, one booked in Jan already! ๐
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 14, 2022 22:12:31 GMT
I think if I lived 10 lifetimes, I still wouldn't have the required skills to build something like this. Completely baffled by the angles, the technique around making seamless veneer joins and how anyone makes a simple circular hole look perfect.....I have no idea. When these are built and run in, I will be first through the door for a listen. I think I'm more excited than you are ๐๐ Cheers Oli. Every little step is relatively simple, there are just 1000s of them! I wouldn't be able to build these without all of the CAD drawings โ the angles and extremely confusing. I reckon I can rival your excitement, my expectations are high ๐. You'll have to be quick for first listen, one booked in Jan already! ๐ Hahaha, I can hang in until they run in a bit.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Dec 16, 2022 21:21:37 GMT
Very nearly there... Just working on finishing touches. The MMT enclosure will have the terminal panel at it's base - this will have an aluminium plate for finishing: Here is the plate with binding posts and tweeter attenuation terminals: Lacquering is nearly finished, just one more light coat and a polish. Checking out the tweeter fit: [br Nearly finished - they'll be up and running soon after the 12" bass drivers arrive (as will two pairs of Ektas). ๐๐
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Post by gninnam on Dec 17, 2022 13:17:20 GMT
Awesome work
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Dec 19, 2022 18:40:24 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 19, 2022 20:59:26 GMT
The VADERS all nearly ready to board the Death star and get the party started! Lacquering and polishing is all done, however, my phone pictures don't do them justice - I'll take some better photos when they're fully finished, The aluminium terminal panels are finished, crossovers are fitted and wired up, all acoustic damping is in. All that remains (when I have the 12" bass drivers) is fitting the drivers, ports and 500W plate amps! So exciting. The first half of Jan should see the completion of quite a few pairs of speakers. These look utterly beautiful!!!!
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Post by gninnam on Dec 19, 2022 21:18:07 GMT
Saw them today and they are (prior to the final lacquering and polish - Jason is a talented guy!
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Post by stevew on Dec 19, 2022 21:50:50 GMT
Stunning, but thatโll be a two man job to get them from your workshop, up the drive and into the house.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Dec 19, 2022 22:00:36 GMT
Stunning, but thatโll be a two man job to get them from your workshop, up the drive and into the house. That's the beauty of two enclosures Steve. Lower Bass enclosure will be 30kg, upper mid/mid/tweeter enclosure will be 34kg. Pretty manageable in 4 trips on my tod. Your Ektas will be 34kg per channel.
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Post by stevew on Dec 19, 2022 22:37:49 GMT
Stunning, but thatโll be a two man job to get them from your workshop, up the drive and into the house. That's the beauty of two enclosures Steve. Lower Bass enclosure will be 30kg, upper mid/mid/tweeter enclosure will be 34kg. Pretty manageable in 4 trips on my tod. Your Ektas will be 34kg per channel. โelf n safety mate. Donโt let em catch you with more than 20 kgs. Mind you,, they did that with bags of coal. Reduced to 20 kgs but kept the price the same. same with Mars bars n kitkats.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Dec 20, 2022 7:47:52 GMT
That's the beauty of two enclosures Steve. Lower Bass enclosure will be 30kg, upper mid/mid/tweeter enclosure will be 34kg. Pretty manageable in 4 trips on my tod. Your Ektas will be 34kg per channel. โelf n safety mate. Donโt let em catch you with more than 20 kgs.ย Mind you,, they did that with bags of coal. Reduced to 20 kgs but kept the price the same. same with Mars bars n kitkats. I get you now Steve! When I first started landscaping bags were up to 40kg. They reduced sand to 25kg, so we just used to carry 2 at a time! Not sure how my back still works! Some of these flagsgip speakers amaze me. How people manage to move speakers weighing 100s of Kg astounds me. (I'll probably carry the Vaders without drivers to house anyway - more to grab on to. Final driver fit will be in the music room)
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Post by zleepy on Dec 20, 2022 10:01:13 GMT
Amazing work! They look stunning!
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Jan 21, 2023 17:11:44 GMT
The 12" bass drivers have arrived and are in. Just doing 2 hrs of intensive break in. Bass drivers are at 30db extra gain and out of phase. I tried in phase (just out of curiosity) and things actually started moving off the shelves. ๐ The punch with 500W of class D per channel (below 100Hz) is crazy! ๐
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Post by electronumpty on Jan 21, 2023 17:56:56 GMT
I tried in phase (just out of curiosity) and things actually started moving off the shelves. ๐
The punch with 500W of class D per channel (below 100Hz) is crazy! ๐[/quote]
No mate, that's the "Force" working, right there. ๐คฃ
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Apr 18, 2023 16:25:53 GMT
The first Vaders have just landed with their owner (you know who ๐). We spent about 3 hours dialing the bass in and tweaking the placements. They now sound sublime ๐. Incredible to have such great bass in a room that destroys speakers.
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Post by jandl100 on Apr 18, 2023 17:01:51 GMT
Nice. Presumably the other sock has been blown off?
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