Anthology build

[flamethrower1]

Thanks all of you guys for your encouragement, appreciated.
Got them sanded and started to put the finish on them today.

Thanks, Greg

[flamethrower1]

Got the first coat of danish oil on them, made the contrast in grains really pop out.
Should look pretty sexy with the all black drivers, sweet.

[sdl2112]

Those are looking really nice. :T Are you then going with a wipe-on poly? What brands and application technique would be much appreciated.

[flamethrower1]

I kind of have my own technique of a finish that I like.
I always start out with danish oil (Watco), it actually penetrates the wood and dries fairly hard.
With these, I used the natural (clear) color.
Usually I apply at least two coats with a good clean shop towels that you can get in the painting section of hardware stores.
The first fairly liberal, let it soak in for a minute or so and wipe the excess off.
The second coat you will not need as much, kind of a "feel thing", you cant screw it up as long as its not dripping or running.
Then I use a mixture of 50% danish oil and 50% oil poly semi gloss.
Try to find a "fast dry" poly.
You can also add just a little mineral spirits to this to give it a little more open time.
All of the coats from here on out (I usually do 3) are applied with "very fine" steel wool, let them sit for a couple of minutes and then wipe them down with a clean clothe.
The result of this finish is more of "polished wood" verses just a top or finish coat and is very durable.
It may sound like a PITA, it is actually very forgiving and easy to do.


This I apply with very

[sdl2112]

Thanks for the explanation...I'm looking forward to your results. I plan on something similar though I plan to try a couple different finishes on test pieces so who knows what I'll end up with. I do know I like the wipe on wipe off process as it is very forgiving...don't really care how many coats or how long it takes.

[flamethrower1]

Wax on , wax off, easy peasy.
Great results without having to need all the equipment to apply a spray finish with great results.
In one of the pics above you can see one of the mini statements I did the same way 5 or 6 years ago

[JoeAngelicchio]

Is that as dark as they are going to get?

[flamethrower1]

Is that as dark as they are going to get?

Pretty much, i chose a neutral or clear look.
You could do what ever you want to do as far as veneer wood choice or stain.
Guess it all comes down to personal preference.

[Jim Holtz]

Any updates?

Jim

[flamethrower1]

A little more progress, will have them fired up within the next couple of days.

[sdl2112]

Nice finish...:T Similar to what I'm looking for. Did you make the outriggers? Also very nice.

[Jim Holtz]

Very nice! :T They look great!

Where did you get the brackets with the spikes? Those are very cool!

Jim

[TEK]

Oh and the other item in the pics is purely a decorative item.

Hmm... wondered about that yes.
Looks like it still can be taken out and be fired up for some good old fun ;-)
May give you some really good ear-oil before you first listening session!

Anyway - looks really good! Oh, yeah, the speakers to :W

[flamethrower1]

TEK, yes it is going back outside for a little run soon.
As far as the brackets go,
The bars are 1.5" x 1/2" aluminum flat bar sourced locally, I used a place called Speedy Metals locally.
The knobs are from Mcmaster Carr, http://www.mcmaster.com/#60765k332/=12wv3u3
The spikes are Parts Express 240-698.
Around a $125.00 for eveything

[Alaric]

Oh and the other item n the pics is purely a decorative item.

Well, that's a damn shame! I'm sure we can find some help for you around here if you want to go the form follows function route! And those are beautiful cabinets, BTW.

[flamethrower1]

OK. the end of the project.
Just got to get someone to help move them, hopefully tomorrow.
Thanks to all who have answered questions I have had and also the kind comments ;x(.
I now have a pair of Anthology's!!

[Steve Manning]

Very nice set of speakers :T

[Jim Holtz]

They look great! I'm looking forward to reading your feedback on the sound quality.

Enjoy!

Jim

[flamethrower1]

I got them set up and running Tuesday afternoon wit the help of a buddy of mine.
First album I played was Vanessa Fernandez Use Me.
My buddy commented on how easily it was to pick out a particular instrument and follow it.
They obviously have more bottom end with the 225's but I was really happy with how much more clearer and smoother the midrange and tweeters are over the Mini Statements.
Definitely better, especially female voices.
They are very nice sounding speakers and I am sure will get better after the caps have some time on them.
They also blend very nice with the new Statement center and my original monitors.
Very glad I built them.
For any of you guys looking to build a very nice sounding set of speakers, these should be considered.
I think I ended up with just under a grand in parts (I went with the Clarity caps and pre built crossovers).
Good job Mr Holtz and thanks for sharing.
I have included a pic of the floor pucks I made also, just aluminum rod cut to 1/2" thick with a stick on felt pad, they can be moved quite easily.

[Jim Holtz]

Hi Greg,

Awesome! :T However, the sound quality is all do to Curt's crossover magic. He is a wizard!

I'm really pleased you're enjoying the Anthology's. They'll get even better with about 20+ hours break-in.

Enjoy!

Jim

[flamethrower1]

A little more "burn in" time.
I probably have close to 20 hours on them.
Was listening to a couple of albums tonight, Eva Cassidy, Lee Ritenour, JJ Grey.
They all sounded great, its neat when you can hear the artist take in a breath to sing the next line.
I really like the way these sound, again, hats off to the guys who shared these with us.

[Jim Holtz]

A little more "burn in" time.
I probably have close to 20 hours on them.
Was listening to a couple of albums tonight, Eva Cassidy, Lee Ritenour, JJ Grey.
They all sounded great, its neat when you can hear the artist take in a breath to sing the next line.
I really like the way these sound, again, hats off to the guys who shared these with us.

Excellent! Curt and I really appreciate your feedback! :T

They do a really nice job on home theater too. Very dynamic!

Enjoy the music!

Jim

[Harry3]

Hi flamethrower,
what binding posts are you using? Are they made of copper?
Harry

[flamethrower1]

Hi flamethrower,
what binding posts are you using? Are they made of copper?
Harry

They are Cardas CCBP L, solid copper.
Take some time and shop around, the price varies quite a bit from one supplier to the next

[flamethrower1]

Just want to add that I had a few people over yesterday and listened to quite a lot of different genres of music as well as many different formats (cds, dvd audio, blu ray, as well as Lps)
They all sounded very good and I got quite a few outstanding comments on the sound of these speakers.
Oh, and these can play loud without any fatigue.
Even have an opportunity to build a pair for another friend who liked them that much, he is running Vandersteens currently.
Anyway, once again hats off to Curt and Jim for their efforts and time spent on these great designs.
You guys are truly class acts, thanks so much.

[Jim Holtz]

Curt and I appreciate the kind words!

Thank you and enjoy the new speakers!

Jim

[DocNice]

I notice you used void free plywood. Do you have any thoughts on this vs. MDF? Also considering the Statements II build.

[flamethrower1]

I used Baltic Birch plywood as that is what Jim built the originals with.
This is the first set of cabinets that I did not use MDF on and I do not know if building these with MDF would have any detrimental down falls.
I have seen other speaker builds that substituted MDF for Baltic Birch.
Jim, would probably be a better person to answer this question.

Thanks, Greg

[Jim Holtz]

Hi Greg,

Actually I've never used baltic birch for any of my speaker builds. I've always used MDF only because its readily available locally and less expensive. Baltic Birch is superior to MDF and its lighter so it makes the finished speakers easier to handle. I recommend using it if you can get it.

I've also had my eye on Medite which is a hard version of MDF that machines extremely well and is water proof. Again its not available locally but would be superior to MDF.

Jim

[flamethrower1]

Hi Greg,

Actually I've never used baltic birch for any of my speaker builds. I've always used MDF only because its readily available locally and less expensive. Baltic Birch is superior to MDF and its lighter so it makes the finished speakers easier to handle. I recommend using it if you can get it.

I've also had my eye on Medite which is a hard version of MDF that machines extremely well and is water proof. Again its not available locally but would be superior to MDF.

Jim

Hmm, where did I get the Baltic Birch thing from.
I am going to blame it on getting older.
Oh well, my bad, but it does make for a nice cabinet

[Jim Holtz]

Hmm, where did I get the Baltic Birch thing from.
I am going to blame it on getting older.
Oh well, my bad, but it does make for a nice cabinet

LOL! You and me both. I keep telling Curt each project is my last because my ears are going to fall off from old age. Thankfully they're still attached.

The one thing I do know for sure is, you did a superb job of building the Anthology's and they are very beautiful. You should be proud of them.

Enjoy the music!

Jim

[flamethrower1]

This is what I have been feeding the Anthology's with lately.
To date, I have not had the opportunity to hear a deck as black or as detailed.
Took some time to build but was worth the time, money and effort.

[Jim Holtz]

Wow! That is beautiful.

I've heard some great vinyl but have never had the opportunity to own any. That looks spectacular and I'll bet is sounds spectacular too. 8O

Jim

[CireNappat]

Great build! I just recently pulled the trigger and bought the full kit and have been working on the cabinets while I wait for the crossovers to be completed and parts shipped. Def been referring to this as a walkthrough! Can't wait to get the completed product! A question has come up during construction though. I had access to leftover SDR piping (6") that I was going to use for the mid tunnels. I knew the support holes were going to be smaller since the walls are thinner than normal PVC, but it turns out the ID is closer to 5.8". Did you happen to check the ID of the pvc you used? Is it necessary to have at least 6" ID? I'm worried that it wont be large enough a diameter. Any thoughts? Its tough call on my end without the actual drivers in hand to measure and see how they'll fit in the whole system.

Thanks!

[Jim Holtz]

Great build! I just recently pulled the trigger and bought the full kit and have been working on the cabinets while I wait for the crossovers to be completed and parts shipped. Def been referring to this as a walkthrough! Can't wait to get the completed product! A question has come up during construction though. I had access to leftover SDR piping (6") that I was going to use for the mid tunnels. I knew the support holes were going to be smaller since the walls are thinner than normal PVC, but it turns out the ID is closer to 5.8". Did you happen to check the ID of the pvc you used? Is it necessary to have at least 6" ID? I'm worried that it wont be large enough a diameter. Any thoughts? Its tough call on my end without the actual drivers in hand to measure and see how they'll fit in the whole system.

Thanks!

The actual cutout size for the SB15's is 4 15/16" so you 5.8" PVC pipes will be fine. Obviously you'll have to adjust the support cutouts etc. to compensate for the difference in size. Driver recesses and spacing should all remain the same as speced.

HTH

Jim

[wkhanna]

This is what I have been feeding the Anthologys with lately.
To date, I have not had the opportunity to hear a deck as black or as detailed.
Took some time to build but was worth the time, money and effort

that is really is gorgeous!
it would be way cool if you could post some build photos in our 'Analog' forum.

[flamethrower1]

that is really is gorgeous!
it would be way cool if you could post some build photos in our 'Analog' forum.

Thanks, appreciated.
I promise to document my next TT build.
This is what I am starting with, the beer can was used for reference only

[flamethrower1]

Great build! I just recently pulled the trigger and bought the full kit and have been working on the cabinets while I wait for the crossovers to be completed and parts shipped. Def been referring to this as a walkthrough! Can't wait to get the completed product! A question has come up during construction though. I had access to leftover SDR piping (6") that I was going to use for the mid tunnels. I knew the support holes were going to be smaller since the walls are thinner than normal PVC, but it turns out the ID is closer to 5.8". Did you happen to check the ID of the pvc you used? Is it necessary to have at least 6" ID? I'm worried that it wont be large enough a diameter. Any thoughts? Its tough call on my end without the actual drivers in hand to measure and see how they'll fit in the whole system.

Thanks!

Sorry, have not checked in here in a couple of days.
The PVC I used was 6 inch but, as Jim pointed out, you will be ok with what you have

[flamethrower1]

And also Mr CireNappat, you are going to really appreciate the sound when you are done.
Great speakers for the money/time invested.

[wkhanna]

Thanks, appreciated.
I promise to document my next TT build.
This is what I am starting with, the beer can was used for reference only

that is a serious piece of of polycarb!
did you purchase it as-is, or have it machined?
what type of bearing configuration do you plan on using?
belt-drive or direct?

[CireNappat]

And also Mr CireNappat, you are going to really appreciate the sound when you are done.
Great speakers for the money/time invested.

Great! Thanks all for the input. I'm new to the DiY audio so it all seems like magic at this point - treading carefully to say the least. I cannot wait. May eventually make a statement 2 center and sub for movies (not big on the 5.1, not enough space). As for power, it looks like emotiva makes reliable amps? Eyeing up an xpa3. Any experience or thoughts?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[flamethrower1]

The XPA amps are a very nice amp for the money.
I am currently running an XPA2 for my mains and an XPA3 for center and surrounds.