Khanspire's Build Thread

[---k---]

Looks great. :T Are you going to put some foam on the inside by the woofers? Mine had 1" Sonic Barrier, a few inches back from the the front.

Waiting until spring will probably help a lot with letting them dry and avoiding glue lines. You could always wipe them down with some Minwax Wood Hardener to seal the wood and give it a little impact resistance until you paint them.

[joeybutts]

Thanks Ryan!

I asked Pete if I should add anymore 703 and he said that it looked like I had enough, and that was the main reason I was asking him was to put it on the walls right behind the woofers. I was mainly going to put a square of 703 right in the corners of the front of the vertical brace.

I was going to coat them in Resin and prep them like I did the Markk's. You think the hardener would be a better option?

[---k---]

Yeah. It is hard to know how much foam is right.

I didn't see the resin you used on the Mark K's. They probably work similar enough. If you liked what you used before, I wouldn't change it.

[cjd]

Those look sharp. Will finish up nicely!

[cjd]

They done yet? or is this project going to be years in the making? :P

[---k---]

I keep seeing threads where he is building other speakers. Just the other day, he started a build thread at PE for a pair of Overnight Sensations. I think he has started like 3 or 4 different other speaker projects since starting these. 8O

[Hdale85]

Lol, Well someone's got free time and money! Lucky SOB.....lol

[cjd]

Lol, Well someone's got free time and money! Lucky SOB.....lol

See, that's what I think when I see someone light up. I'd rather have those years of quality life, ability to breathe, and, of course, the cash...

Speakers? Doesn't seem like building more has anything to do with having free time or money, really... maybe you go out to eat a few times a week/month? Bam. There's a set of speakers.

[joeybutts]

Hahahah.

cjd - It's taking some time for me to get all the crossover parts together (the remaining parts for these are coming at the end of this month). The finish work probably won't happen for a little while since I don't have the space and heat management to do them properly. My less than ambitious goal is to have these completely done by summer.

The last year and a half has been quite exciting and time consuming. The main reason I am hoping to have them done by the summer is I am currently in the market for a home. 8) So a lot of time will be involved in that. Plus I work out quite consistently, bowl one night a week, am a teacher, and of course.....need to spend some time with the recently acquired wife. :lol:

---k--- - It wasn't a build thread!! Just.....preparatory questioning. :W

Hdale85 - I wish!! I actually have been sitting on the woofers for the OS's for a long time and recently caught a deal on Fountek ribbons I couldn't pass up (BOGO!!!) I just bought the last inductor for my center channel build so I can get that cabinet finished up and ready for finish.

I don't want to start the finish work until I have the proper means to do it. I want to make sure I do it right the first time, and finish work always seems to be my Achilles heel. ops:

[joeybutts]

Mid x-over all done and wires half done for the mid and tweeter.

[joeybutts]

MTM chamber all wired and filled with both crossovers! YES!

Now to order those inductors, get the woofer crossovers in and maybbbbbeeeeee give a listen?

[joeybutts]

Inductors are on the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

OMG could actually wire these up and listen if it wasn't such a huge PITA wiring/mounting 10 drivers and then taking them back out to finish and then putting them back innnnnn........

[---k---]

whaaa whaaa whaaaa.

Think what a pain in the butt it was for me to build the boxes, take the boxes and all the drivers up to CJD to measure. CJD to measure the drivers. Me to go pick it up and bring it home. Wire it up. Listen. CJD to change the crossover. Listen some more. Take apart. Finish. Put back together.

We would appreciate it if you would get to the "these are the best speakers I've ever heard. I can now die happy" part of this build thread.

:P

[joeybutts]

whaaa whaaa whaaaa.

Think what a pain in the butt it was for me to build the boxes, take the boxes and all the drivers up to CJD to measure. CJD to measure the drivers. Me to go pick it up and bring it home. Wire it up. Listen. CJD to change the crossover. Listen some more. Take apart. Finish. Put back together.

We would appreciate it if you would get to the "these are the best speakers I've ever heard. I can now die happy" part of this build thread.

:P

:rofl: ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLBBQCOPTER :rofl:

Ryan....I almost died from reading that. Nicely put. Ok ok ok. I'll button them all up and break em in before getting to the finish. It will give me time to finish the center.

[AdelaaR]

3 dimensional crossover stacking ... I like it

Doesn't a capacitor inside an inductor increase the inductance btw?

[joeybutts]

3 dimensional crossover stacking ... I like it

Doesn't a capacitor inside an inductor increase the inductance btw?

Thanks! :T

I've been told that no real measurements to date have shown either way that a cap in an inductor effects the inductance. I've done it on a couple projects and a few well regarded people in the PE forum have as well.

I probably will never know the difference if there is.

[---k---]

:rofl: ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLBBQCOPTER :rofl:

Ryan....I almost died from reading that. Nicely put. Ok ok ok. I'll button them all up and break em in before getting to the finish. It will give me time to finish the center.

I'm glad you took it the right way. Just having fun with you.

[cjd]

I think there is something about me taking my time with the designs that creeps into every single build. I don't think this stuff can EVER be built quickly - it's just not possible.

Slow food is yummier, why not speaker building?! You're savoring it.

C

[joeybutts]

I think there is something about me taking my time with the designs that creeps into every single build. I don't think this stuff can EVER be built quickly - it's just not possible.

Slow food is yummier, why not speaker building?! You're savoring it.

C

Well put! Here, here!! Raise one for Chris!!

I did say I was going all out on this one and feel I have. There are a couple things I could have done a bit different, but they don't bother me to have any regrets.

[AdelaaR]

I think there is something about me taking my time with the designs that creeps into every single build. I don't think this stuff can EVER be built quickly - it's just not possible.

Slow food is yummier, why not speaker building?! You're savoring it.

C

I agree.
I've been "building" my statements for almost 2 years now and I still even haven't actually done anything.
My motto: The fun isn't in the goal, but on the road towards it

[meb46]

CJD/AdelaaR - Isn't that the beauty of a Hobby? The idea of finishing something i.e. a Speaker Build... seems so finite and final... It would feel like the joys and sense of accomplishment would end I'm in favour of savouring the build process... i'm sure my soon to be wife would not necessarily get so excited about the concept of an ever progressing speaker build consuming our spare room... or now know as "The Man Zone".

[meb46]

ps - The build looks great... eagerly awaiting your first listening impressions...

[joeybutts]

Thanks meb!

Inductors arrived today, got the x-over all hot glued up, tomorrow night will get them boarded, wired and mounted hopefully. Hopefully playing by the weekend!

[rusty]

I'm thinking about building Khans too but I don't have much experience with woodworking. I could probably order boxes built in the shop. Do you have detailed drawings for the cabinets? I'm looking for spires, center and surrounds.

[joeybutts]

I'm thinking about building Khans too but I don't have much experience with woodworking. I could probably order boxes built in the shop. Do you have detailed drawings for the cabinets? I'm looking for spires, center and surrounds.

Hey Rusty! Are you looking for the actual blueprints or my drawings for how I built them? And all channels of Khanspires or of any design?

[rusty]

I'm looking for the blueprints for all channels of Khanspires for 5-speaker HT system. So, I was thinking about building two Khanspires, one Khancenter and two Neatos for surrounds. I saw the blueprints for them on several threads but they don't have the cut lists, especially for the braces. I saw the pictures that you posted for your build and the cabinets are very neat, liked them a lot. So, it would be great if you had drawings for them. I also saw the drawings for Statements which I liked too but they are ported and I want to build sealed.

[joeybutts]

ah. Yeah, it will be rare to find a cut list. You would have to draw one up. If I get some free time I'll try to do the Khan's, but in all honesty don't hold your breath. Crazy busy these days.

Maybe someone can post up one they made from before.

[cjd]

There's that pesky "Y" returning to get someone else!

sound yet joey?

[---k---]

I never used a cut list when I built any of the Khans. Just hand sketches and scribbles as I went. Cutlists are nice, but really not needed.

[rusty]

no problem joey, i might decide to build them myself afterall
contemplating between mdf and birch ply for the cabinets.

[joeybutts]

There's that pesky "Y" returning to get someone else!

sound yet joey?

Definitely tomorrow! Celebrating that the appraisal of our contracted home came in at the perfect value with the wife tonight, but have all day tomorrow to get them wired and running! Can't wait to lug them the 300 ft to the building, up the flight of stairs and in to the apartment. :lol:

Can't wait to write back with first impressions!!!

[---k---]

Furniture dollies come in handy.

[joeybutts]

I just threw them on my shoulder and went for a walk.

I'll def need to invest in a dolly.

Loading the drivers right now!!!

[cjd]

I just threw them on my shoulder and went for a walk.

I'll def need to invest in a dolly.

Loading the drivers right now!!!

You're taking your time loading those drivers!

Or... you can't pull yourself away to post

[joeybutts]

You're taking your time loading those drivers!

Or... you can't pull yourself away to post

Soldering 8 awg is a PITA!!!!

:E :E :E :E

These........are unbelievable. I wish the wife would leave. So I can really open them up!!! I've got unbelievable goosebumps. I was really nervous how these would compare to my Dayton 8's and that I wouldn't think they were any better. BWHAHAHAHHAHAHA. I am so dumb.

These are so open and......refreshing. I know some of you are going to get the mob after me for saying this, but even dubstep sounds amazing.

I listened to a few crooners and a few bands. I can't get enough. Even the wife, when I explained what "open" meant was astonished and in agreement. I know Ryan says these won't play too low, but they do an amazing job without a subwoofer. On music of course.

These were well worth the time. Now to make them look as nice as they sound and get them into the man cave to let them really sing! :T

Oh. pics coming.

[joeybutts]

Woofer crossover- I can't believe the size of this inductor.



Crossovers loaded and fully wired!



Waiting to get in!





Loaded!!!! Sorry you have to see my hideous sweater. :P I was so excited didn't even realize I was shirtless!



Both done!

[---k---]

There is a reason that no one else uses 8 awg wire.

I'm glad they are sounding great and you're happy. And to think, you haven't even broken them in or experimented with stuffing or fancy caps.

[joeybutts]

Hhahahh. Yeah, the 8 awg is total overkill. Just didn't think ahead on what it would take to get it soldered up! Oy. But that's all in the past now! WOOT!!!

Loving these. After recalibrating the system...... :E :E :E :E :E

The super bowl was great to watch. Madonna's really crappy recorded halftime show actually sounded decent!!

Anyone want to lend me a pair of khan's while I do the finish on these? ::

Chris and Ryan.... ;x( excellent work gent's. I can't imagine paying what a retail place would want for a pair likle these. These are an outstanding value, especially at the figured price I paid for everything.

RETAIL DRIVER AND CROSSOVER (not including wiring, binding posts) - $840/pr

APPROX RETAIL COMPLETED SANS FINISH - $1100/pr


Approximate price that I actually paid for everything - $600/pr

I would love to know what these are worth on the retail market. :

[joeybutts]

What would adding stuffing to the mid chamber do to the sound? Just curious before I go just blindly throwing it in there.

[---k---]

I would imagine that if these were sold by one of the internet direct type places, the price would be in the $3k - $5k range + a ton for shipping. And just guessing here, because prices can be all over the place because of the limited number sold, but I would imagine your local boutique hi-fi shop would sell them anywhere from $5k to $30k. I know based on the amount of time it took me to build them and the parts cost, I wouldn't personally build them for someone else for less than $2k.

As far as what adding stuffing would do to the mid-chamber. It can have lots of effects depending on the amount you have in there now. The goal is to remove the rear wave reflection. The mid box is already oversized and the crossover is well above the roll-off, so you don't need extension. Playing with stuffing in the woofer will affect the rate of roll off and to some degree the level of bass at the crossover. I found that it had negative effect I both the mid and woofer. But CJD also measured and designed the box around what I had originally. It is worth a little experimenting with - as long as you can get the drivers in and out easily. I would try try two fist fulls in the mid and separately 4 or so in the bottom of the woofer. Then go from there.

For demonstrating that disappearing clarity and imaging I think you're raving about, I like to use:

http://www.chesky.com/core/details.cfm?productcode=JD274

http://www.amazon.com/Whites-Off-Earth-Cowboy-Junkies/dp/B000002W3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1328545828&sr=1-1

Not the most complex audio, but different things demonstrate different characteristics better.

This is another fun one I frequently use:

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Man-Group-Audio/dp/B000051S65/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1328545973&sr=1-1

Then a lot of my favorite music: Jack Johnson, JJ Grey, Norah Jones, blah blah blah...

[joeybutts]

I would imagine that if these were sold by one of the internet direct type places, the price would be in the $3k - $5k range + a ton for shipping. And just guessing here, because prices can be all over the place because of the limited number sold, but I would imagine your local boutique hi-fi shop would sell them anywhere from $5k to $30k. I know based on the amount of time it took me to build them and the parts cost, I wouldn't personally build them for someone else for less than $2k.

As far as what adding stuffing would do to the mid-chamber. It can have lots of effects depending on the amount you have in there now. The goal is to remove the rear wave reflection. The mid box is already oversized and the crossover is well above the roll-off, so you don't need extension. Playing with stuffing in the woofer will affect the rate of roll off and to some degree the level of bass at the crossover. I found that it had negative effect I both the mid and woofer. But CJD also measured and designed the box around what I had originally. It is worth a little experimenting with - as long as you can get the drivers in and out easily. I would try try two fist fulls in the mid and separately 4 or so in the bottom of the woofer. Then go from there.

For demonstrating that disappearing clarity and imaging I think you're raving about, I like to use:

http://www.chesky.com/core/details.cfm?productcode=JD274

http://www.amazon.com/Whites-Off-Earth-Cowboy-Junkies/dp/B000002W3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1328545828&sr=1-1

Not the most complex audio, but different things demonstrate different characteristics better.

This is another fun one I frequently use:

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Man-Group-Audio/dp/B000051S65/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1328545973&sr=1-1

Then a lot of my favorite music: Jack Johnson, JJ Grey, Norah Jones, blah blah blah...

Awesome. Thanks for all that explanation. I may throw a bit more 703 in the mid section. See what I think of that.

Thanks for those recommendations on music!! I was actually going to be asking about that soon; some tunes for displaying ability. I am always at a loss for artists to sample/showoff.

Can't wait to go home and listen some more!

[joeybutts]

Have had some time with these and a lot of different music and I haven't driven them to a level of noticeable distortion. These sound INSANELY good. Poorly recorded sticks out a bit. Love the clarity, depth and impact. the impact, oh the impact. Love it.

Can't wait to get these in the new space and with some acoustic treatments. Should be sexy on the ears.

[---k---]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying them. I'm looking forward to seeing your finish ... if you can ever bring yourself to take them apart to do the finish. :P

[joeybutts]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying them. I'm looking forward to seeing your finish ... if you can ever bring yourself to take them apart to do the finish. :P

Yes...putting the drivers in was the STUPIDEST thing ever. :T These are never going to get finished!

[joeybutts]

in their new home waiting for some fresh duds! Amazing. Building these was the best idea ever. Almost time to start focusing on the Man Room.