All this leftover MDF...What to do?

[TetraGrammaton]

I'm in the middle of building a new sub and already the wheels are turning. My center channel is pretty wimpy and looks like its next in line.
Right now I have 2 Boston Acoustics vr1's and a VRC. The voice matching when panning from L to C to R is not so great. And the midbass is pretty weak. So its time for something new.
I don't have an AC screen so I've been thinking about doing 3 centers across the front. Problem is my surrounds. I need something that I can put right up against the wall. I'd like to build the statements. In fact I planned on it until I discovered the foot and half they had to be out from the wall.
So anybody have any suggestions?
Here's a few pics of my sub project so far.
Thanks, Ryan

[impala454]

Heheh I always thought about "what the heck can I do with all these circles of MDF I ended up with?

[Hdale85]

Do you own the CNC machine?

[Jed]

I'm in the middle of building a new sub and allready the wheels are turning. My center channel is pretty wimpy and looks like its next in line.
Right now I have 2 Boston Acoustics vr1's and a VRC. The voice matching when panning from L to C to R is not so great. And the midbass is pretty weak. So its time for something new.
I dont have an AC screen so I've been thinking about doing 3 centers across the front. Problem is my surrounds. I need something that I can put right up against the wall. I'd like to build the statements. Infact I planned on it untill I discovered the foot and half they had to be out from the wall.
So anybody have any suggestions?
Here's a few pics of my sub project so far.
Thanks, Ryan

I'm working on just the setup you might be interested in. WWMMTWW Center Channel, WWWWMTM mains, and TMWTM wall mount surround using RS180s, TB W4-1337, and Vifa XT25 double magnet tweeter.

Here's the cabinets so far- just waiting for front baffles and veneer. I'll have the system done in a month or so.

Images not available

[Hdale85]

And if you have access to CNC equipment..I've got some files for curved cabinets that will work for them :P

[impala454]

wow that should be a monster center Jed!

[TetraGrammaton]

Haha I've got enough hopefully to build one or 2 of the fronts. But then I'll run out need to buy more and there will be more leftovers. I can see right now I'm going to be broke for a while :B

No, I work in a machine shop so I mess around with mastercam whenever I can. I started to build a cnc wood router but so far its just a pile of parts.

Jed those look sweet. Do you have a build thread or a link to more info?

Dougie what do you have? Autocad dfx files? I may have seen them before I've lurked here for quite a while.

[Hdale85]

Solidworks...could export as something else I'm sure. And yeah I'm sure you've seen them. I just sent them off to a CNC shop like a week and a half ago. Hopefully the parts will ship next week.

[TetraGrammaton]

If you dont mind send me the file so I can check it out. vrmarkii@yahoo.com I can open them at work with mastercam.

[Jed]

Jed those look sweet. Do you have a build thread or a link to more info?

.

I'll send you a PM with more links to the info on them.

[Hdale85]

Files sent :B

[TetraGrammaton]

Thanks guys :T

[Hdale85]

No problem. Let me know what you think of the cabinets. We designs them so that there are dado's in everything and that everything would have to fit together perfectly. Unfortunately this was back when we were planning on going with the HiVi D6.8's but now have changed to the RS180's because of availability. So I can still make them work because they are already mostly cut but if I had a chance to change it before the bracing would have gotten shifted a bit.

[Hdale85]

Jed, it's rather funny because that cabinet looks like a Lineup Maxx cabinet You wouldn't be able to tell unless it had drivers in it or someone was standing next to it.

[Jed]

Jed, it's rather funny because that cabinet looks like a Lineup Maxx cabinet You wouldn't be able to tell unless it had drivers in it or someone was standing next to it.

At some point we should put the Dynamic 4Ts next to the Lineup Maxx. The new tower is only 8" wide and stands about 49" tall. When I get the front baffles on with all the drivers it's going to look really slick.

Jed

[Hdale85]

Yeah it will. These are going to be some very sexy speakers and I can't wait!

[---k---]

I'm sure Jed's speakers will be great. I would suggest that you also look at the Khancenter. Maybe also Zaphs ZDT3 center design, but I'm not as familiar with it..

[TetraGrammaton]

Thanks Ryan I've read up on your kahnspires alittle I'll have to check into them some more.
I've got alot of reading to do. I've never built any 2 or 3 way loudspeakers before just subs. So this should be a fun project. Just as soon as I get the sub box out of the garage I'm going to start playing.
Right now I'm really leaning toward jeds new speakers he's building. But I've never heard any of these diy designs. If anyone is local to the spokane area and feels like showing off let me know.
Ryan

[---k---]

On the PE board, there is talk about an upcoming Puget Sound DIY event. Sept 6.

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=204849&highlight=puget

You might want to take a look at that. Even if you can't make it, I'm sure most of those guys are willing to have you over for a listen. My house is always open to people who want to hear my speakers.

And, I won't be offended if you build Jed's speakers. I have a pair myself. He does great work. I was just giving options.

[Hdale85]

Well if your ever in the Pittsburgh area your welcomed to have a listen at my system when the speakers get done I'm not sure where Spokane is though lol.

[TetraGrammaton]

Thanks for the offers and advice guys. Well I'm slowly getting closer to finishing the sub box and I'll be able to get started on the center. 2 fi q18's in 30ft^3 box tuned to 15.5 hz powered by an ep2500. Still need my 1 1/4" corner radius tool before I can do much more. And having the other sub that UPS lost sure would help. Here's some more pics of my sub project.

[Hdale85]

Wow that enclosure must be HUGE! I didn't realize those were 18's until I read your post haha. I love giant 8" ports How much are the Fi 18's? Are they cheaper then the Mach 5's? Or maybe they are better then the Mach 5's? I don't know if I can build an enclosure that large...unless I make it my TV stand haha.

[Hdale85]

What the heck is the website for Fi? Google just gives me a bunch of garbage.

[TetraGrammaton]

What the heck is the website for Fi? Google just gives me a bunch of garbage.

Its www.ficaraudio.com there 309 shipped. They are really better suited to larger enclosures. I originally wanted to build 2 700liter sonosubs. But this box is just going to work way better for me. I cant wait to rattle the pictures off the neighbors walls :rofl:

[Hdale85]

Meh I think the Mach5's are better suited for me. I do like those huge 8" ports though Very sexy.

[timmay1969]

My 3 kids and I play a game to see who can roll the mdf circles the farthest down the sidewalk in front of our house.

[TetraGrammaton]

Haha they should get extra points for them landing infront of the neighbors house. lighter dump load :B

[chrisn]

I made a Lazy Susan out of a sub cutout for my mom. Other, smaller cutouts I have painted and are intended to be used as coasters. Square-ish pieces get used as jigs and what not.

Some people use sonotube for sub enclosures. You use it for your vents That is a very nice, massive cabinet.

[TetraGrammaton]

Well since I didn't really do an actual build thread. I thought I'd post some pics of the finished results of the subs in here. I didn't take any more construction photos. Once the router bits showed up I went to town. I didn't paint it, I plan on building a false wall and an AT screen next so the box wont be visible. Anyway here they are.

[Hdale85]

That center and mains look inadequate.

[TetraGrammaton]

Indeed. But not for long :T The old sub looks rediculous next to these. One of the fi drivers is bigger than the entire enclosure.

[Jed]

So how do you move that sub... forklift?

[Hdale85]

How big is that projection screen there? It looks a bit small now time for an upgrade? :B That sub must be a monster because everything just looks tiny around it.

[TetraGrammaton]

I was able to back my 4runner up to it and slide it off the saw horses right into the back. Drove around to the backyard and slid it out the back right through the sliding glass door. I'm not looking forward to ever having to move it again though. It's probably right around 400lbs with the drivers mounted.

The screen is a 100" 16:9. That I threw up when I first got my projector and it deffinately looks tiny now. I've been wanting to go with a 9' wide 2.35:1 screen or something in that range.

[Hdale85]

Holy crap...