Blink's Khanspire Build Thread

[CADman_ks]

...
Have never done it but I'm told by guys with a lot more experience than me that you can overcome the effect by roughing the surface of the veneer (like a good hit with 80 grit) which will break up the surface so both sides of the leaf are even. and then stain. Then seal coat, sand to de-nib and then move on to finish.
...

That actually sounds like that would be a pretty logical process to get the two sides to look the same. You're also right that the difference the grain is coming partially from the book matching, since one is the top of the slice, and one is the bottom of the slice...

[Blink]

So I plugged them in tonight...I'm not sure if I've done something wrong, but I'm not getting much output out of the RS225's yet They seem to have gotten a little louder, but I'm not getting anywhere near what I would expect from them. Is this just because they arent broken in yet, or should I check for problems?

While I try to work things out... here are some pretty pictures (pretend like it hasn't been awhile since I dusted ):

[oneplustwo]

Love the black on dark brown! That dye turned out really nicely. Probably even better in person I imagine.

Did you build your entertainment center as well? I'm looking for a good design myself. Yours looks about like what I would want.

[cjd]

So I plugged them in tonight...I'm not sure if I've done something wrong, but I'm not getting much output out of the RS225's yet They seem to have gotten a little louder, but I'm not getting anywhere near what I would expect from them. Is this just because they arent broken in yet, or should I check for problems?

I'd check for problems. With the 225's, you have the adantage of being able to just wire them straight, no crossover, to see if something changes. However, my guess is that you have one of them wired in reverse, so they're out of phase; Should be + to +, - to -, and to crossover the same (except reversed if I recall correctly, so wire + from crossover to -- of woofers). Probably phase issue per cabinet, but possibly side-to-side. Also be sure again the RS150's are in series IN--(+ -)----(+ -)--OUT as they'll be way too loud and weird if not.

When I re-wired after building a new equipment rack I managed to wire one side reversed. It has probably happened to all of us, more than once.

At least they look really nice!

[CADman_ks]

Very nice looking!!! :T

[Steidl Guitars]

Good work!

The alternating light and dark bands are called "grain runout," which is a consequence of sawing a straight line through a tree (log) that is not a perfect cylinder. If you imagine cutting the first slice from a log along the long axis, if you start cutting on the big (butt) end, the blade would eventually "run out" of log at some point given that the log is tapered.

So the light reflects (refracts, I think) differently depending on the angle the blade went through the wood cells. When two consecutive cuts are bookmatched, the effect is more pronounced. It is a physical property of the wood, so you can't make it go away. In truth, I like it!

Anyway, the only way to avoid it entirely is to split the log with a froe, so that the split follows the runout line. For most of us, that would be lunacy, but it is something that custom guitar and violin makers do to avoid the issue.

Here's a couple of examples on guitar tops.

[WilZirkle]

very nice.

[Blink]

OK so I double checked the wiring, and everything was correctly hooked up. However after playing music through them for about 4 hours, the difference in the low end is night and day from when I first connected them! At first they sounded way too bright with no volume in the lower end, now they sound amazing! Even being ported, the bass is still accurate and not boomy. I've always been used to speakers that were very forward, and these are amazingly laid back! The one thing that sticks out when I listen to them is the imaging. The extensive depth and even the width of the soundstage sounds amazing in my room! I can hear different instruments in different parts of the room and it doesn't sound like they are coming directly from the speakers. I haven't listened to alot of high end speakers, but I have never heard accuracy like this either! Hearing a cymbal crash, or even just a wood block or a shaker sounding so crisp makes the music so much better! It is definitely true, you will hear instruments and sounds you've never heard before with these, so I'll be listening to alot of music in the coming days.

K and cjd, you guys did an amazing job on the design!
Everyone, I am extremely grateful for all the help along the way, even if it was just a quick "looking good!" I without question could not have done it without some of the tips and advice provided.

And joeybutts just so you feel better, I played some dubstep on them too and it sounds great!!

I've got my subwoofer crossed over at 40hz, but I've been loving the sound with it turned off right now (It just seems to shake things )
I have not added any stuffing at all yet, I'm not sure I would want to change how they sound just yet, plus adding it to the woofers would mess with the tuning frequency right? And since the mid box is already oversized I really wouldnt want to add any in there either?

[Blink]

Love the black on dark brown! That dye turned out really nicely. Probably even better in person I imagine.

Did you build your entertainment center as well? I'm looking for a good design myself. Yours looks about like what I would want.

No, I did not build it, my roommate bought it for $600 or so. I'm not a big fan of it, it kinda dwarfs the TV (its a 55") But then again these speakers kinda make everything else look small too

[joeybutts]

Did you put anything in to kill backwave reflections? It will make a slight difference in quality of sound (for the better). It should effect tuning negligibly and will probably help your low end a touch.

Glad to hear you found these worthwhile to build! I thought my D8's were the cat's pajamas, but now. Psh.

[Blink]

Did you put anything in to kill backwave reflections? It will make a slight difference in quality of sound (for the better). It should effect tuning negligibly and will probably help your low end a touch.

Glad to hear you found these worthwhile to build! I thought my D8's were the cat's pajamas, but now. Psh.

I do have the 2" of fiberglass insulation on all of the back walls, and 1" on the sides.

My biggest problem now is deciding when to build the center channel

[joeybutts]

oh cool. That's good.

Hmm let me think about this one.....Now? You planning the Khancenter?

[WilZirkle]

PE is out of the Dayton Audio DMPC-6.8 6.8uF 250V Polypropylene Capacitor (part number 027-424) for the Khancenter till 5/11. Its the only part I had to backorder.

[---k---]

Try a solen: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=027-560

Or you can combine two caps that add up to 6.8. Such as a 2.0 + 4.7 (close enough).

[---k---]

Also, I've read that if you call PE and talk to someone. Sometimes they are willing to put one or two caps in a padded envelope and mail it US Mail for a couple bucks. Don't know if that was a one time thing or what.

[gdub25]

Blink, I live in Oklahoma as well and have just ordered all the parts for a Khanspires build. I'd love to take a look at yours and hear them if you're willing to give a demo. I've sent a personal message to you as well, so if you're still around let me know what you think.