Sex speaker build

[JamieMcC]

Ok a few pics of where the build is at the moment

Baffles spacers glued up in one piece and will later be to cut into four sections 

(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6823410/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)

Then cut down to size in preparation for gluing to the cabinet sides here they are dry fitted. Still need to cut the base tops fronts and backs.

(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6823411/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)

Decided it might be a good idea to mask up and paint the internal areas of the side baffles  black as they will be a bit difficult to get at if I leave it to later on.

(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6823415/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)

Next step is to glue the sides and side baffle together then make a start on the other sides of the speakers enclosure.

(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6823416/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)

[JamieMcC]

Happy New Year all

I am hoping for some thoughts and advice on selecting some binding posts for this speaker build. I naively thought binding posts were just binding posts but on looking there is a bewildering selection of options brass, copper plated, gold plated, solid copper gold plated the list seems to go on and on.

Do you guys have any suggestions or preference for a particular materials that you have found work well when using SETs topology?

Cheers

Jamie

[Skip Pack]

I've read a lot of positive comments on Neutrik SpeakOns lately. They are not expensive, and I can't see much to object to. I am always suspiscious of the large amount of brass and the dependence on plastic inexpensive binding posts seem to have generically. I will probably use SpeakOns on my upcoming builds.

If you want simple, cheap, and impeccable connection, bring your lead wires through the back of your cab with some sealant, solder on ring tongues, and clamp similar ring tongues on your speaker cables to the speaker leads using hanger bolts or brass machine screws. That way the bolts/screws and clamping nuts are not in the path.

Skip

[JamieMcC]

I hadn't thought of doing away with the connectors altogether it sounds like a good idea to me thanks.

You can guess what is coming next

Suggestions for suitable Sexy speaker cables anyone, come on you guys must have some tried and tested favourite solutions 

[Skip Pack]

18 ga. solid makes for a very coherent sound that can be a bit subdued, but curbs some harshness. I've used twisted 14 ga. silver-plated, teflon insulated (multistrand) for years. Both DIY and DH Labs. The following link has an interesting  variant:  http://inlowsound.weebly.com/diy-speaker-cables.html

I'll be trying the ones on the Inlow link sometime this year. Acme Jr. has a good selection of silver-copper-teflon wire and good prices.

Skip

[HF9]

Hi Jamie,

Check these out: http://www.electracable.com/tubeconnector.htm . They're a super easy install and very low mass.

My personal favorite if you want both banana and spade capability is the Cardas CCBP. Made of straight billet copper and solid as a tank.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmeniscusaudio.com%2Fimages%2Fcopper.jpg&hash=fde15fe386e384d364dcbeae49376513a16b7311)

Regarding internal wire, I like 12 gauge silver plated copper in Teflon from Apex Jr., or if I want to splurge I get the Cardas 11.5g. Just be wary, Cardas wire that thick requires a solder pot. Another good option is the Neotech UP-OCC in Teflon.

[JamieMcC]

Hi Jamie,

Check these out: http://www.electracable.com/tubeconnector.htm . They're a super easy install and very low mass.

My personal favorite if you want both banana and spade capability is the Cardas CCBP. Made of straight billet copper and solid as a tank.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmeniscusaudio.com%2Fimages%2Fcopper.jpg&hash=fde15fe386e384d364dcbeae49376513a16b7311)

Regarding internal wire, I like 12 gauge silver plated copper in Teflon from Apex Jr., or if I want to splurge I get the Cardas 11.5g. Just be wary, Cardas wire that thick requires a solder pot. Another good option is the Neotech UP-OCC in Teflon.

Hi thanks for the links I will take a look

A few pics of progress which is a little further on than these pics suggest with the centre baffle also cut and fitted but I ran out of battery juice on the camera that day.

(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6898517/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)
(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6898518/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)

[HF9]

Looking good! Is that Great Stuff oozing out from the seams?

[JamieMcC]

The stuff oozing out is Gorilla glue it foams up a little as it cures. As the plywood had some marks and dents in it before starting it was always going to be covered (paint, vinyl, veneer still undecided on the finish)  so I haven't bothered to be to neat and tidy or mask up.  All the excess that has squeezed out will quickly disappear with a quick sand over with the DA.

Up to date shot.

(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6910048/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)

(https://www.head-fi.org/image/id/6910049/width/900/height/900/flags/LL)

[JamieMcC]

The speakers in their unfinished state are home for some testing before sealing up and starting on finishing them.
They are lot more sensitive to placement than my old bookshelfs but once in the sweet spot they float a nice detailed image. Something which I thought my old speakers did but after now hearing the Fostex its obviously they didn't.

The eagle eyed will notice the surround of the speaker are not silver their previous owner painted the surrounds black and one of the reasons I picked them up for a good price, The good news is the other speaker surround not pictured is now back to the origional silver metal finish the paint easily came off with a thumb nail I was worried the surface had been abraded to take the black paint but luckily it wasn't and the underneath is just like new.

I was excited to get them home and hooked up and forgot to take a side by side pic.

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.head-fi.org%2Fa%2Fa5%2F900x900px-LL-a5bddde6_006.jpeg&hash=b6e897609d6b8f92e63d39452bd9d3c6b0bec417)

[wullymc]

Very nice Jamie!

You did a great job.  I have been thinking after I am done the beepre and eros I might revisit diy speakers and making a Fonken.  Lookin' good!

Take care.  Looking forward to hearing more....Dave

[Strikkflypilot]

Impressive work! Cheers!

[Clark B.]

Why on earth would they have painted the gorgeous machined aluminum frame of the FX120 black!?!

Let us know what you think of the sound...  Same driver as our Mako Stand Mounts and Floorstanders.  Have been building and shipping several pairs of these lately.

[JamieMcC]

Hi Clark, the speakers have been playing most of the day and they sound quiet appealing to me. But I have nothing to really suitable to reference them against.

For the type of music I generally listen to they work well I like the vocal presentation and wasn't expecting as much bass as they are delivering this has exceeded my expectations and is sufficient for my listening needs.

I'm planning to do some experimenting with dampening/stuffing material over the next few weeks. I don't have a clue what results this will achieve but at least it will give me some reference and a better idea of the changes differing material makes. I am quiet fortunate as next door to my workshop is a small upholster who I get on well with, he always has lots of different felts, foams and suitable stuffing looking material offcuts in his wheelie bin skip and is happy for me to help myself to anything that looks suitable.

[Clark B.]

Jamie, without being familiar with your specific cabinets I couldn't make any concrete recommendations on how much or with what to stuff them, but it sounds like you've got the time and resources to experiment so I am sure you'll find a happy medium in due time.  Enjoy them... looks like you had fun!