BeerParty Statement Monitor Build

[BeerParty]

A quick update, just to let everyone know that I haven't disappeared completely.

I have encountered several setbacks in my build, the latest of which is the ports. I was test fitting the ports and noticed that they were awfully close to the front baffle when installed, so I took them out and measured them. Guess what - they are both 1 inch too long (total length was 9 inches instead of the 8 inches called for in the plans). ops: A replacement set of ports is on it's way from Parts Express, but there are other things to fix.

For example, I have been questioning my decision to go with black on the back, top and bottom with veneer on the front and sides, I have been thinking about swapping the colors around so that I would have black up front (I like the look of FroDaddy's Statements). So, I veneered the back, top and bottom to see how it would look. When I went to cut the veneer around the port and plug hole I didn't adjust the router properly and ended up trashing the holes.

I am patching them up, but of course the patch will not match up with the veneer if I decide to go with a clear finish on the back. While the backs don't need to be perfect, I think I am stuck with black for the back now. I can still do the top and bottom in clear if I want, and having the back in black isn't all bad... :roll:

[deewan]

back in black isn't all bad... :roll:

Especially if you are an AC/DC fan. Aren't these little details a pain sometimes. I've had a few setbacks myself with my Statement build. I know these speakers will be worth it, I just hope the neighbor kids aren't around when I cuss and kick things in my garage after a messup.

[69Stingray]

Hi 69Stingray, In your picture some of the sides of the maple look a little orange, is that real or is it just the picture?

No, they are not orange in color. The finish was still wet and I took the picture in my basement where the lighting is very poor.

They did darken up slightly from the unfinished color. More of a "blonde" hue.

[tf1216]

Can we get an update please? ( :

[BeerParty]

Can we get an update please? ( :

Progress has been slowed by the nice weather (lots to do outside), but I am still plugging away at them.

The back cutouts have been repaired, and veneer applied to the sides of both speakers and the front of one (the front of the second cabinet gets done tonight). I am planning to replace the front roundover with a 45 degree cut like FroDaddy's Statements, and then paint the front section black. I still want the wood look, so I'll clear or lightly stain the wood veneer on the top, bottom and sides. I'll have to cut and veneer the 45 degree bevel on the fronts, so I still have some work to do.

I'll post pictures of my progress this evening.

PS - thank for the nudge, TF. I have been slacking off...

[BeerParty]

OK, a long overdue build update...

As posted previously, I originally built the ports 1 inch too long. Here you can see an old and new port:



Behind it is the cabinet side, so while it doesn't look like much of a difference you can see how close to the front the old port is (remember, there is a 1.25 inch baffle in the front - the old port was almost right up against it.

[BeerParty]

I have the veneer on, it is maple with PSA applied at the shop.

I started with the back (but this picture was taken today, so you see the veneer covering the box):



I had never used veneer before, so I figured the back would be a good place to try it for the first time. I'm glad I did - I messed up when cutting the holes for the port and the connections, it took a lot of patching and sanding to get it smooth. It isn't obvious front the pictures (I deleted those ) but there is about half a tube of patch compound around the holes and in a corner I cracked.

The veneer went onto the top and bottom easily. Then I wrapped a single piece around the sides and the front:



The picture is deceiving - the sides and top are smooth, I already sanded this one down flat to 220 grit. There are not any bubbles or warps in the finish. I think it's a combination of the maple and the flash that makes it look like it is bumpy.

Here is a close up of the (soon to be cut out) round over:



I am quite sure I put enough pressure on when applying the veneer:

[BeerParty]

Alright - the front baffles are getting closer...







The front corners were cut down to 45 degree angles, and then the exposed MDF was veneered. I have not had much luck with my veneering, so you can see a few spots with wood filler patches. I also routed out the driver cutouts - at least this time they came out OK (unlike the backs).

Later today I'll do some more sanding and patching, and maybe tomorrow I'll get some primer and paint on these. I'm getting anxious ;h

[Rightbrained]

I know what you mean about getting anxious. The work and wait will pay off when you fire them up

[BeerParty]

The weather was perfect, and the cabinets were close enough - so they got painted! I took some pictures of the 'during' phase, but they aren't very interesting (about as exciting as watching paint dry :roll: ), but the after pictures are very cool.

[BeerParty]

Quick question

Quick question...

I just finished the cut outs for the tweeter heat sinks, and when I test fitted the tweeters in the baffle the recess was too deep. I know the tweeter needs to be flush with the baffle, so I put in a couple layers of veneer in the recess and the tweeters now sit flush with the front baffle.

My question is, do I need to worry about the mid and woofer, or is OK for them to sit a little deep in the baffle?

[Jim Holtz]

Quick question...

I just finished the cut outs for the tweeter heat sinks, and when I test fitted the tweeters in the baffle the recess was too deep. I know the tweeter needs to be flush with the baffle, so I put in a couple layers of veneer in the recess and the tweeters now sit flush with the front baffle.

My question is, do I need to worry about the mid and woofer, or is OK for them to sit a little deep in the baffle?

Small variations will be inaudible. However, I usually use closed cell weather stripping to seal the drivers so I build up with that to get near flush.

Jim

[BeerParty]

Small variations will be inaudible. However, I usually use closed cell weather stripping to seal the drivers so I build up with that to get near flush.

Jim

Thanks Jim.

I have foam tape for sealing the drivers which compresses to almost nothing. I hadn't considered building up the recess with weather striping, but will try that. Adding veneer inside the driver recess is time consuming, and I'm running out of scraps...

Of course, I am still waiting on my stain (it should be here this week), but once that arrives I'll be in the home stretch.

[tf1216]

When I encountered your driver recess problem bondo was used for a fix. We filled the recess in with bondo and squeezed the plastic-wrapped driver into the recess. It was a time consuming task to get everything cleaned up but it worked well.

I also had a gap around the driver i was not happy with. Bondo is probably overkill for your situation.

[BeerParty]

Got some time off from other house repair work to the cabinets. I applied stain (General Finishes Honey Maple) and 2 coats of satin urethane. Unfortunately, my son destroyed my camera so I won't be able to post pictures until I get a replacement. So you'll have to take my word for it that they look nice.

I need to check them in the daylight to see if I am done or if they need another coat of urethane. Even if they do they should be ready in a few days, and I'll steal a camera if I have to...

[BeerParty]

One down, one to go! I don't have the bolts for the second speaker (of all the things to forget!), so only one of them is ready. Tomorrow I'll be able to fire them up, I just need to stop by HD on the way home.

Here's a near finished picture. The flash is causing the front of the left speaker to look glossy, it is actually a semigloss in person. The finish matches on both speakers.



and the inspiration for my build... ;x(



This weekend - it is music time!

[BeerParty]

Finished!

They are finished!



They have had some music play time, but I had to stop when the family got home. They sound excellent, the only problem I have had while testing is I regularly have to get up to check the house - I keep hearing these unfamiliar noises! :W

And here is my high tech testing setup :roll:

[Jim Holtz]

Excellent! :T

Jim

[john trials]

Very nice looking set of speakers!!!!!!!

[Dean100]

Beautiful! :T

[tomdro]

Congratulations on a very good looking set of speakers!

[BeerParty]

Thanks everyone.

I have verified that the crossovers are working correctly (whew) but I won't have a chance to do any critical listening until this weekend. Based on my initial impressions I'm sure they will sound great, but I really want to crank up Iron Man with these babies... 8)

[Jim Holtz]

I really want to crank up Iron Man with these babies... 8)

Since I wasted two subs with Iron Man, I would urge caution on trying to reproduce massive bass with the Monitors. :W

Jim

[BeerParty]

Since I wasted two subs with Iron Man, I would urge caution on trying to reproduce massive bass with the Monitors.

I am not going to try for the LFE stuff (don't want to break them right off the bat! 8O ), mostly I want them to clean up my mid-range which sucks in my current setup. Dialog is so poor right now that my wife has to keep asking me to turn it up!

Of course, I'll have to ping you when I get started on my next project... subs! Sounds like you can tell me what I'll need to get everything perfect for Iron Man ( or would that be a tender subject? ops: )

[deewan]

Dialog is so poor right now that my wife has to keep asking me to turn it up!

Hmm, if that is all it takes for women to ask to turn up the volume. I wonder if I can somehow distort the sound where my wife sits so that she asks me to turn it up while keeping my seat cyrstal clear. :W

[BeerParty]

Hmm, if that is all it takes for women to ask to turn up the volume. I wonder if I can somehow distort the sound where my wife sits so that she asks me to turn it up while keeping my seat cyrstal clear. :W

:naughty:

[alexcd]

Those came out great! Any chance you're throwing a "BeerParty" in celebration? I'd love to take a listen!

[BeerParty]

Those came out great! Any chance you're throwing a "BeerParty" in celebration? I'd love to take a listen!

Only if you promise to bring your favorite music CD and DVD...

Actually, my weekends are pretty packed this summer, but if some time becomes available I will certainly send out an invite. If there is anyone in the Southern New Hampshire area that would like to join us, just post and I'll PM info when the time is right.

[alexcd]

Thanks! Congrats again on making a fine speaker.

[69Stingray]

... If there is anyone in the Southern New Hampshire area that would like to join us, just post and I'll PM info when the time is right.

Those look awesome Chris. Keep me posted on listening...

[BeerParty]

Actually, my weekends are pretty packed this summer, but if some time becomes available I will certainly send out an invite.

I checked our family calendar last night, looks like the weekends are packed until late August. I'm trying to reserve some time around the 22nd - but no promises. How did the summer get away from me so fast? :scratchhead:

[BeerParty]

Several posters had asked for a chance to listen to my monitors, so I thought I would let everyone interested know that I plan on attending the DIY New England GTG being hosted by Dave (dlr) on October 24th. Dave also has a web page for the event: http://diyne.speakerdesign.net/

[Jim Holtz]

Several posters had asked for a chance to listen to my monitors, so I thought I would let everyone interested know that I plan on attending the DIY New England GTG being hosted by Dave (dlr) on October 24th. Dave also has a web page for the event: http://diyne.speakerdesign.net/

Excellent! I'm glad to the Monitors will be heard by Dave, John K. and the other attendees. :T

Jim

[john trials]

Chris, your Statement Monitors sounded so nice at the NE DIY event. I was amazed at how nice the bass sounded.

Did you make the near wall or far wall version? At the time of the event, I didn't realize there were 2 (or 3 if you count the switchable) versions of the Monitors.

[BeerParty]

Chris, your Statement Monitors sounded so nice at the NE DIY event. I was amazed at how nice the bass sounded.

Thanks! :thanku: But of course, the credit really goes to the designers - Jim Holtz, Wayne Wendel, and Curt Campbell. I just followed the plans.

Did you make the near wall or far wall version? At the time of the event, I didn't realize there were 2 (or 3 if you count the switchable) versions of the Monitors.

My speaker use the near wall version.

I goofed and let my photo-bucket account expire, so all my picture links were gone. I have fixed it. If any pictures are still missing, send me a note.

[Jim Holtz]

My speaker use the near wall version.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for taking your pair to the NE DIY event. I hoped some of the Statements designs would make it there eventually.

I noticed in the pictures that the speakers were well away from the wall behind. Were your Monitors also positioned that far away? The near wall crossover design was optimized for 12" clearance behind the speaker which would impact the midrange and bass.

Thanks!

Jim

[john trials]

I just finished reading the Mission Accomplished thread on the Statement Monitors. The near wall version should be used at 12" from the wall. If we moved your speakers back at DIY NE, the bass would probably be even better (I thought it sounded great, though). After hearing your Monitors, I'm almost regretting building the full-sized Statements...they're such monsters, and my room is a bit small. Oh well...too late!

Edit: Jim's response popped up just before mine!

[dlr]

I just finished reading the Mission Accomplished thread on the Statement Monitors. The near wall version should be used at 12" from the wall. If we moved your speakers back at DIY NE, the bass would probably be even better (I thought it sounded great, though). After hearing your Monitors, I'm almost regretting building the full-sized Statements...they're such monsters, and my room is a bit small. Oh well...too late!

Edit: Jim's response popped up just before mine!

If that system was a near-wall design, I'm even more impressed. I have to give that system my tip-of-the-hat as best overall, largely due to the tweeter integration.

Dave

[BeerParty]

I knew the placement during the DIY event was non-optimal for my near-wall crossovers, but that is just how it worked out. We were swapping speakers in and out and needed the space behind the speakers as working space. I mentioned it to a few people at the event, and we even considered moving them, but in the end decided that it was safer to leave them where they were. I think everyone there would agree that they sounded fantastic.

At home they are set up ~12" from the wall, but to be honest they sound great no matter where I put them.

[mlammert]

Hey BeerParty,

I know this thread has been done for a couple years, but I just wanted to say thanks for the compliment on my Statement build (http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?p=415052) that you posted way back on post 32 (http://www.htguide.com/forum/showpos...&postcount=32).

I have been referencing your Statement Monitors build thread as I build a set of Monitors for a friend of mine.

It was just kind of cool that I saw you mentioned my build thread as I was referencing your build thread.

Anyway, excellent job on your Monitors and thank you!

Mark

[BeerParty]

Hey BeerParty,

I know this thread has been done for a couple years, but I just wanted to say thanks for the compliment on my Statement build (http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?p=415052) that you posted way back on post 32 (http://www.htguide.com/forum/showpos...&postcount=32).

I have been referencing your Statement Monitors build thread as I build a set of Monitors for a friend of mine.

It was just kind of cool that I saw you mentioned my build thread as I was referencing your build thread.

Anyway, excellent job on your Monitors and thank you!

Mark

You are quite welcome, and good luck with your own Monitors.

[Silver1omo]

I also started installing foam inside, it gets kind of cramped in there with the first 1" of foam, don't know how it will look with a second layer...



As you can see, I left space on either side for the crossovers. Should I put foam over the top of the crossovers or should I leave clear space around them?

Edit - Hm, just looked at the last picture again, and realized the carpet and the foam look alike. Just in case anyone wonders, the mid tunnel doesn't have any foam in it yet - that is just the carpeting. I am holding off on the foam in the tunnel until after the rear gets finished.

Did you add the second layer?

[BeerParty]

Did you add the second layer?

Nope. They sounded fine with just the one layer, so I left them that way.

[Silver1omo]

Thanks, good to know.

[Travis]

Those look fantastic, is there a location to get a BOM and cabinet drawings? I'd like to give them a shot!

My bad....I found them on Jim H's Site!!!