Speaker Cabinet Builders

[tyrion]

I am wondering whether it would be cost effective to find a speaker cabinet builder that could build a cabinet for the Moth Cicada driver that is sold on Eddiecurrent.com. Does anyone know any builders that might be interested in a project like this?

 

[velogreg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion I am wondering whether it would be cost effective to find a speaker cabinet builder that could build a cabinet for the Moth Cicada driver that is sold on Eddiecurrent.com. Does anyone know any builders that might be interested in a project like this?

I have used Scott Stein of steinaudio.com to build small Fostex bass reflex and larger Fostex back loaded horns. He works primarily in mdf so some veneering or painting such as with the Cicadas will be necessary. His fit,build and prices are superb.
Good luck!
Clarke68 is right. You definitely need to play with some tuning to get these MLTL variation boxes to mate well with the Cicadas to produce that good full range sound these speakers are cabable of. Having your builder add some cross bracing would not be a bad idea either.

 

[clarke68]

Any skilled woodworker in your area can build you a pair of boxes (which is all speaker cabinets really are)...your neighborhood Woodcraft probably has a bulletin board where local handymen post their business cards. The trick is tuning...the fullranger I built changed with stuffing, so I didn't glue the final side on until I had tested it for a few weeks with different amounts of polyfill.

 

[ooheadsoo]

The moth cicada driver has a funky frame, so watch out, if you want to flush mount it.

 

[Wodgy]

Lee Taylor does high quality work. He used to have a larger commercial operation dedicated to making DIY speaker cabinets for people, but I can't find the main web page any longer. North Creek has a page with info and contact information though:
http://www.northcreekmusic.com/LeeTa...TaylorPage.htm

This guy also has a good reputation for custom cabinets:
http://www.diyspeakercabinets.com/
(Btw, that site was formerly called DiyBox.) It's not clear if he builds cabinets much larger than the Ellis 1801, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

This guy also does extremely nice custom work:
http://www.rawacoustics.com/
He will do floorstanders and has access to a CNC machine for doing the countersunk drivers. His command of English is poor, but he has great woodworking skills.

The Cicada cabinets are not complicated and any local woodworker can probably also help you. Just be sure to specify MDF or baltic birch/marine ply, not hardwood or particle board (which are unsuitable for speaker cabinets).

You're probably not interested in this option, but in case someone else is, Madisound now sells prebuilt/prefinished floorstanding cabinets in both maple and cherry. The sizes are limited, but the prices are excellent and they're a great option for someone who wants to get into large speaker DIY and doesn't have access to tools.

 

[tyrion]

Thank you for the great info. Now I have start doing the research. I suppose, since Craig has the information on his website for building the cabinets, I could have a local woodworker follow the instructions. I could also get input from Craig. I know he didn't build the cabinets, he probably would be very helpful.

 

[Demolition]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodgy Lee Taylor does high quality work. He used to have a larger commercial operation dedicated to making DIY speaker cabinets for people, but I can't find the main web page any longer.

Just FYI:

North Creek is closing down its DIY speaker and parts division on September 30. That's probably why the main page has changed. However, it looks like Lee Taylor will continue to build custom cabinets, if the page that you linked is anything to go by.

 

[tyrion]

I sent emails to a couple of the builders that have been suggested. I sent the link to the Cicada plans on eddiecurrent.com.

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by velogreg I have used Scott Stein of steinaudio.com to build small Fostex bass reflex and larger Fostex back loaded horns. He works primarily in mdf so some veneering or painting such as with the Cicadas will be necessary. His fit,build and prices are superb. Good luck!

Scott replied and is willing to do it. He is concerned because the design of the cabinet on eddiecurrent.com is copyrighted. I have to check with Craig to confirm it's okay for him to build the cabinet. He said he would use 3/4 mdf. The price quoted was more than reasonable.

Do I install the driver, or is that something he does? I emailed him the question. I figured one of you might know. If not, I have to find someone to do that as I have no idea what it entails.

The cabinets arrive raw so I would have to arrange for the finish. I will have to ask Craig at eddiecurrent a few questions about that. I think I have someone local that can install the driver.

 

[Wodgy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion Scott replied and is willing to do it. He is concerned because the design of the cabinet on eddiecurrent.com is copyrighted. I have to check with Craig to confirm it's okay for him to build the cabinet. He said he would use 3/4 mdf. The price quoted was more than reasonable.

Sounds great!

Quote:

Do I install the driver, or is that something he does? I emailed him the question. I figured one of you might know. If not, I have to find someone to do that as I have no idea what it entails.

You can do this. It doesn't require any soldering. You get two wires, crimp automotive quick disconnects on both ends, then just slide them on the speaker and binding post terminals. Automotive disconnects are the things shown at the top of this page:
http://madisound.com/accessories.html
You can get them at any auto parts/hardware store or Wal-Mart, though if you want gold plated ones (unnecessary) you have to order them from either Madisound or Parts Express.

If you're planning to have the cabinets made so that the drivers can be countersunk, you'll probably want to send one of the drivers along to the builder, so he knows how deep to countersink the drivers and can verify that he has the shape exactly right. Ask him to add an extra 1/16th of depth or so to accommodate a gasket under the drivers. Some drivers come with a gasket when you order them. If they don't, use standard 1/8th inch thick closed-cell weatherstripping, either PVC or neoprene (for this application either is fine) that you can get at any hardware store.

You can just screw the drivers into the cabinets with standard screws. If you expect to install and remove the drivers multiple times, it's better to use machine screws backed with T-nuts. You can get T-nuts at any hardware store, or Parts Express (they call them "hurricane nuts" at PE, but regular hardware stores call them t-nuts or propel nuts).

If you don't want to run around town, everything you need can be ordered from either PE or Madisound.

Quote:

The cabinets arrive raw so I would have to arrange for the finish. I will have to ask Craig at eddiecurrent a few questions about that. I think I have someone local that can install the driver.

You'll save a bit of money if you have the cabinets painted (like the original Cicadas). Wood veneer adds about $80 to the total cost for floorstanders. Note that if you want to have them veneered, you're going to have to tell the builder in advance, because the roundovers on all sides in the original cabinet plans cannot be done exclusively with veneer. The builder needs to install hardwood quarter rounds on all sides, then flat veneer fills in the other areas. (If you sacrifice a couple of the roundovers however, veneer can be wrapped around the speaker.) Painting speakers takes patience and prep time, but you can do it yourself. One shortcut which is easy and looks good with minimal effort is Rustoleum Textured spray paint. Note that if you want a glossy finish, it's best to leave it to a local professional.

 

[tyrion]

Wodgy, thanks for the great information. Craig at EC said that the original Cicadas were sprayed with heavy wrinkle truck bed liner. He said it did a nice job of damping cabinet resonance. I definitely will not be doing a veneer. Craig also felt the price was fair. I am going to send the information you gave me regarding countersinking the drivers to the builder.

 

[Wodgy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion Craig at EC said that the original Cicadas were sprayed with heavy wrinkle truck bed liner.

Interesting. Truck bed liner, like the Rustoleum Textured paint I mentioned, is a popular choice among DIY speaker builders because its textured surface makes it very forgiving of surface imperfections. I'd imagine bedliner also helps mass-damp the cabinets like Craig said.

Judging from the pictures, it looks from the pictures that Craig also probably put a layer of clearcoat or polyurethane over the paint itself as a last finishing step. Both of these are available from any hardware store.

 

[braillediver]

Since you're going through all the trouble:

What type of internal wiring are you going to use and what sort of binding posts will you use?

Maybe ask Craig for recomendations?

Maybe look to components that will complement your speaker cables \ amp \ interconnects etc.

It's not that much more to do it nicely.


Mitch

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braillediver Since you're going through all the trouble: What type of internal wiring are you going to use and what sort of binding posts will you use? Maybe ask Craig for recomendations? Maybe look to components that will complement your speaker cables \ amp \ interconnects etc. It's not that much more to do it nicely. Mitch

I am going to ask Craig for recommendations. My IC's were made by a guy locally so I am going to get him involved as well. I am hoping to order the cabinets next month. I have too much $ going out this month.

 

[braillediver]

"My IC's were made by a guy locally so I am going to get him involved as well."

That's perfect. These should be really nice. Congratulations.


Mitch