Check out this speaker build.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:31 am

This woodworker has some incredible skills. Check out his jig on the first page.

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/inde ... ic=59326.0

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:39 am

That’s an awesome design, but I bet it takes a heard of elephants to move those speakers around.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:43 am

I'm sure you're right. MDF is some heavy stuff.

For the record, 3/4 mdf works just fine for that speaker. However you can't get that curved side with it. I'm not sure why the open baffle is so thick other than aesthetic reasons.

The guy has some mad skills to be sure.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:38 am

I've never seen an article in any woodworking magazines or on speaker building sites that talk about building a jig like that. That 9 foot arc is an amazing idea.

Usually what most do is to make a bunch of vertical cuts in the mdf and bend and glue it to the internal bracing. Even then, experience is key. Of course the mdf still needs to be thicker. On a professional level, what usually happens is the mdf is steamed and then pressed into the desired shape with a very expensive press.

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:45 am

That guy does have some great woodworking skills. Having about a brazillion dollars worth of tools helps too.

Massa · Post by **Massa** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:23 pm

Very nice indeed. When I saw a GR design for a second I was hoping he was building a pair of LS'es, but I'm not disappointed.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:59 pm

Those speakers get killer reviews. I think it was Six Moons that gave them a best in show at the Colorado Audio Fest.

Danny Ritchie is proving himself to be one of the best in the business, no doubt.

Speaking of LS's....

Massa · Post by **Massa** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:13 pm

Upgradeitis is awful. I just finally got rockets and now I'm already scheming about how to upgrade to LS-6s. I am glad I took your recommendation about AV123 though, VERY glad.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:20 pm

Out of curiosity, which Rockets did you get?

Massa · Post by **Massa** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:58 pm

I picked up a pair of 550 MKII's used (great price) and a bigfoot center channel. I'm using X-LS encores for surrounds and have X-SLS Encores in the living room.

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:01 am

Used? I'll bet they were a steal. I've heard speakers costing a lot more money than the 550's at retail and aren't even in the same ball park as those. Plus you have that gorgeous rosewood finish.

Then there's that bigfoot. What an awesome center channel.

The X-LS series for the money, are flat out awesome. Rainbow has 4 of the X-LS a center and the sub.

I've also set my daughter up with a 5.1 set.

I've met Danny Ritchie and got to speak with him for quite a while. What a brilliant and unassuming guy. He's pretty quiet. The guy carries a pretty big stick when it comes to speaker design and networks.

Massa · Post by **Massa** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:01 am

I got the 550's for 400 dollars, it was a great deal. MLS is a great guy to deal with, I've had the pleasure of dealing with him on the phone for my B-stock MFW-15. All of them are amazing folks. Mark Seaton is also fantastic, such talent for sub design and cabinet building. Count me happy.

On a side note, the SLS-encores in my living room are spiked and the soundstage they throw for jazz vocals is astounding, reminiscent of Vandersteen Model 5's, I can't quite describe it but it's holographic. Considering these were 240 dollars B-stock (and look like A stock) i'm shocked.

Rainbow · Post by **Rainbow** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:30 pm

Mine get used a lot at varying volumes and I still love them. I may be upgrading soon and pushing these off to the bedroom but I am very pleased with them as well.