Ported Tritrix Center Channel Build (56K WARNING)

[joeybutts]

This has been posted on PE and edesignaudio.com but thought I would post it up here. I'm much more of a lurker here since I don't feel my audio prowess is quite up to that of most of this board. ;x(

I'm just about to complete it, hence it being in this section and not the Mission Accomplished section.

The one thing I am most proud of is the way my paint is turning out. The build has been solid but this is my third time attempting a nice gloss finish. The first attempt was a disaster, the second was good, but I think this one took the cake and ate it. 8)

Enough talk, some pics!

Enclosure cuts and mock up with one brace -

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Baffle design and construction -











Port and binding post creation -











Second brace -



Completed enclosure sanded and ready for paint and stain -



Stained baffle -



Paint prep and journey -









First coating of black -





Final coats of black on and current state as of tonight -



Let me know what you think and if there are any questions!!

[krips]

looks really nice much better than my pair :P how do you like the sound

[joeybutts]

looks really nice much better than my pair :P how do you like the sound

Thanks krips! I actually haven't auditioned it yet! I'm still waiting on the appropriate inductor to finish the crossover and didn't even think to just screw em in and try it out! I'm hoping to have this finished by/over the weekend as far as paint and build goes. Only thing that will be left is the crossover, T-nuts and drivers!

Thanks again! Did you post your build?

[savage25xtreme]

I recently used the painter's touch glossy white on a set of crown molding shelves, VERY nice rattle can product. Where did you find the filler primer? Need to get me some of that.

I would suggest some clear coat for protection. :T

[joeybutts]

Walmart is reliable and cheap to carry it, Autozone I believe had it but for $1 or $1.50 more per can. They used to carry Duplicolor high build, but have since stopped and now have the Rustoleum brand which is more expensive.

Clearcoating is definitely on the list. Not sure whether to have an autobody place do it or myself......

[joeybutts]

Can YOU tell which side has been wet sanded with 1500 and buffed with scratch-x, right or left?

With flash



Without flash

[joeybutts]

HELP!

So tonight I have wet sanded with 1500 and 2000, then scratch-xed and then waxed. Now, this is where I don't feel confident. The paint now looks dull. buttery buttery smooth, but dull. It doesn't reflect at all like the fresh paint. Is this how it should look before clearing?

[gregnash]

Did you buff out the wax? I know that is a dumb question but figured I would ask.

[numberoneoppa]

The left side from our vantage point.

[joeybutts]

Yes the left.

I did buff it out, but have been told that I need to dewax and degrease, re-wetsand with 2g and then go ahead and clear.

[joeybutts]

update. black has been cleared. will be wet sanded some time in the next 3 days, then the entire cab will be cleared, wet sanded buffed.......looking SEXAY.

[joeybutts]

Update: Cleared the whole thing. Oak baffle released a LOT of air bubbles, so some sanding and clearing are still in order.

Going to look real good though.



Can start to see some bubbles here.

[numberoneoppa]

Beautiful, keep it up. Can't wait to see what the finished product looks like. Makes me wish the budget for my tritrix pair wasn't 160 bucks!

[joeybutts]

Thanks Josh! I haven't put together what I have spent on this actually but something I should some time.

[joeybutts]

Utilizing my subpar Scratch-x till I can get rubbing and buffing compound, the clear is turning out real nice. Wish I was a photographer

[Face]

Looks good so far!

Can you tell me where you picked up the primer? So far, I can only find it from 2 no-name online retailers.

[joeybutts]

Wal-mart and auto zone.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...questid=654732

Can't find it on walmart's site but it is tucked in the limited auto paint selection with the fiberglass stuff. It's hidden.

I also used Dupli-color's before. But can't seem to find it anymore....

[numberoneoppa]

I forget which brand I used, but I used the same type of primer on my North Seas build. The stuff wet sands to a glassy finish.

[joeybutts]

Soooo.......How long does it take for Enamel to completely dry?

[joeybutts]

DONE! SOUNDS awesome. Looks real good. Not perfect but no one will notice all the things wrong like i will.

My photography skills suck (though I think part of it is the camera...) so bare with the pics. I can try to take better. If there are any Q's just let me know!




















I'm going to wait a month or two to do a final buff and wax so that the enamel gets a good dry and hardening. I also need to build a riser for my TV so I can slide the CC under it.

It matches the towers well though the finish is much smoother and the stain on the oak is richer/darker on the CC. Oh well. Maybe it will fade out. I swear it did on the towers. Could also be that the Oak on the towers is oak ply and the oak on the CC is solid oak.

I can't give it a solid listen right now, but it seems to be real nice with the towers at low levels right now. I need to do some calibrating and REALLY need a mic to fine tune.

I ran the center solo and it is impressive as far as dispersion and freq response. More detailed review to come. (as if there aren't enough reviews on the Tritrix already! )

Here is my pre emptive thanks to Curt for an excellent design and to everyone with their assistance in this build!!

Joey B

[john trials]

Nice reflection on those speakers! I like the photo with the screws. I don't have the patience for doing such a nice finish (plus I'd be worried about scratching it). You did a great job.

[joeybutts]

Thanks John! The screw photo is my favorite as well. Happened by accident, saw them reflecting off the cabinet right before I stuffed it and put the drivers in.

Trust me. It was tough to not just say "Good enough."

[numberoneoppa]

The images have stopped working on my end.

[joeybutts]

Fixt!

[joeybutts]

Just watched Live Free or Die Hard. This center is awesome. Impact when needed, subtlety when needed, lots of detail, nice wide field, plenty of SPL, matches amazingly with the D8's.

This was an awesome choice for my center. If some designs are even better, I need to be exposed because I can't imagine that.

DIY FTMFW.

[numberoneoppa]

"DIY FTMFW.

Teehee. Nice to hear you love the center. I need to paint the TriTrix I'm working on. I'm so lazy. Thanks for finishing those picture links, that finish is really shiny. :O

[joeybutts]

Thanks Josh!! Yeah it's another build that has exceeded my expectations. and the finish.....though it was a pain came out real nice and I learned even more. My next finish will be impeccable. This was just great.

You got pics of yours Josh? Get em up!

[joeybutts]

Riser built and HT setup for the now final setup. I need to stain/paint the riser but will do that in about a month or so when I move. I just wanted this up and running and functional.

The riser is 3"x3" Oak I found for $1 a 12" piece in the scrap pile at HD and Birch leftover from a build.