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Post by Arke on Oct 5, 2022 15:51:26 GMT
Most of you will know that my beloved Ektas have moved on. It's not all bad, as I am busy planning their successor too - the Arke Vaders. Also, they have gone to an amazing home and sound wonderful on Oli's system. They even work well in Oli's troublesome room... Really well! Alan has got in quick and commissioned the second pair of Ektas. My original Ektas (now Oli's) were pure indulgence in design and execution - no expense or time spared. The cabinets took ages to build and piano black is not cheap. Hand sculpted bamboo is a joy to do, but is very slow. I could recreate Oli's speakers, but they'd probably cost £6-7k to replicate. They'd still be great VFM IMO, however, most would rather have a similar SQ for less. Alan would like to continue the rough ethos of the design, but simplify things to get the cost at a more reasonable level. The internal dimensions will be similar to the original Ektas and the cheeks will be bamboo veneered with facets instead of curves. The front and top will be matt black, with swept up tweeter cheeks. Alan is drawn to bamboo at the base of the baffle also.     I have rendered this in 3D and am really happy with it. The soul of the original remains and manufacture will be much easier and possible at a reasonable cost. A basic ply box would be cheaper again, but this will look better IMO and not be too expensive. I think this simplified design will still perform similarly to the original. There are still very few parallel faces and the cheeks are variable thickness and up to 37mm thick including a 4mm bitumen damping. The rear spine is over 30mm thick and the front baffle around 40mm thick. This will still be very heavy and very well damped. Not quite as sexy IMO, but no acoustic compromises on the cabinet.   |
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Post by gninnam on Oct 5, 2022 16:15:26 GMT
Looks nice  |
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Post by antonio on Oct 5, 2022 17:33:23 GMT
Great looking speakers, I'm sure Alan will be delighted with them. Anyone for a pair of Thiel's?
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Post by firebottle on Oct 5, 2022 18:15:59 GMT
They will be up for sale in due course. Dave?
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 14,644
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 5, 2022 20:11:55 GMT
They will be up for sale in due course. Dave? Get them and the 57s on the way out the door Al. I'm reliably informed that someone is looking for an original pair on the Wam.....maybe get a member here to point them your way? |
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Post by Arke on Oct 10, 2022 13:52:42 GMT
3D constructional design (rebate and junction details) is complete for the latest Ekta mkIIs. Simplified construction without any acoustic compromises. Construction on the first pair will begin tomorrow . These retain the essence of the original, but allow construction at a much more reasonable cost.   |
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Post by antonio on Oct 10, 2022 17:09:25 GMT
@arke Get yourself to the workshop, we won't expect any more posts from tomorrow until it's finished.  |
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Post by Arke on Oct 10, 2022 17:20:30 GMT
@arke Get yourself to the workshop, we won't expect any more posts from tomorrow until it's finished. I have just finished all the dimension drawings for all the parts. I shall start cutting parts tomorrow... . It'll be exciting to see these come together. |
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optical
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Be Excellent To Eachother
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Post by optical on Oct 10, 2022 17:50:40 GMT
This is so awesome to follow the builds and tweaks going on live Jason, thanks for the efforts.
I know Oli, Alan and co have done similar, some of it being my own gear and it's cool knowing everyone is along for the ride.
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Post by Arke on Oct 10, 2022 17:59:47 GMT
This is so awesome to follow the builds and tweaks going on live Jason, thanks for the efforts. I know Oli, Alan and co have done similar, some of it being my own gear and it's cool knowing everyone is along for the ride. Thanks Chris, It won't be as detailed as previous build thread - just quick updates. I need to get some serious time in the workshop, which is great! I currently have Arkes to builds, 2 x Ektas and 1 x Vaders. Various demos booked in too. It's all very exciting! |
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Post by Arke on Oct 11, 2022 16:57:39 GMT
First parts cut, routed and rebated for the Ekta mkII ARKES. Some braces and other small panels:  These are the rear panels of the front baffle - it will be 40mm thick when finished. These are the top two thirds of the front baffle - the lower part is 40mm bamboo ply.  |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 14,644
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 11, 2022 17:01:32 GMT
Oooooh, holes!
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Post by Arke on Oct 11, 2022 17:56:57 GMT
18 holes routed today and more to go |
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Post by stevew on Oct 11, 2022 18:11:50 GMT
We are gonna need more holes.
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Post by stevew on Oct 13, 2022 9:05:59 GMT
…. and then there were 3.
😁
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Post by Arke on Oct 13, 2022 10:08:47 GMT
…. and then there were 3. 😁 I think Oli puts something *special* in the tea at his house! |
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Post by stevew on Oct 13, 2022 10:28:33 GMT
…. and then there were 3. 😁 I think Oli puts something *special* in the tea at his house! I know Jason, I know. It’s not a bad hit rate for everyone that’s heard the Ektas though. Very special tea. |
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Post by Arke on Oct 13, 2022 10:43:27 GMT
I think Oli puts something *special* in the tea at his house! I know Jason, I know. It’s not a bad hit rate for everyone that’s heard the Ektas though. Very special tea. Maybe he put something special in his own tea too? It wasn't me! 😂 |
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Post by antonio on Oct 13, 2022 12:58:14 GMT
I know Oli is very knowledgeable on CBD oils  |
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Post by stevew on Oct 13, 2022 13:03:23 GMT
All I remember is Oliver saying
“3..2…1 and back in the room.”
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 13, 2022 13:41:45 GMT
I know Oli is very knowledgeable on CBD oils I am.......and Psilocybin |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 14,644
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 13, 2022 13:42:02 GMT
All I remember is Oliver saying “3..2…1 and back in the room.” You shouldn't do??? 😂 |
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Post by Arke on Oct 18, 2022 10:54:15 GMT
Quick progress update on the latest Ekta mkII build... Pretty much all parts cut and rebated now. Still awaiting delivery of the 40mm bamboo which makes up the lower part of the baffle. No driver rebates yet, as waiting for the drivers. Here are a few images of the part assembled cabinets:    The sides (30mm MDF) have their facets - these were cut on the table saw. These will be refined further before the 3mm bamboo is bonded into place. Next step will be to add damping material and begin gluing! . Lots of work to do yet - the finishing will take most of the time! |
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Post by pete on Oct 18, 2022 12:29:53 GMT
Looking good Jason
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Bigman80
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AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 14,644
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 18, 2022 15:22:25 GMT
I thought you'd been quiet lol
Looks good!
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Post by Arke on Oct 18, 2022 15:49:48 GMT
I thought you'd been quiet lol Looks good! I've been slowly beavering away. Really pleased with the fit - it's extremely satisfying when lots of complex pieces fit together perfectly! . |
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Post by gninnam on Oct 18, 2022 17:10:11 GMT
As said above - looking good so far |
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Post by lurch on Oct 18, 2022 17:41:38 GMT
That's more than can, be said for the old donkey in a red dress sitting in a bath that keeps popping up on the secret friends advert on here.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 14,644
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 18, 2022 18:52:58 GMT
That's more than can, be said for the old donkey in a red dress sitting in a bath that keeps popping up on the secret friends advert on here. Advert? Tell me more. ...as the forum owner, I don't get adverts on my screen |
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Post by Pigmy Pony on Oct 18, 2022 18:55:24 GMT
That's what you get for Googling 'Sexy ass in the tub' |
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