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Home Theater => Audio => Speakers => Topic started by: alexg on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:16 PM

Title: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Sep 14, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Today I started building a pair of speaker cabinets for Fostex 167e drivers.

The design is based on this: http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeakers/FH/download/half-Chili-map-0v91-130108.pdf (http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeakers/FH/download/half-Chili-map-0v91-130108.pdf)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2855303729_d707de1f79_o.jpg)
The drivers fresh from the box.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/2855303737_e564165353_o.jpg)
The "supervisor" making sure am doing it right.  ;D

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2855303749_5282fc8741_b.jpg)
Cutting the mdf material.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2855303757_2911a8526d_o.jpg)
After a few hours of work.

I will be continuing the build next Sunday, and will post additional pictures.

Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: edrel sison on Sep 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM
wow. nice speaker project. and who will own these babies? ::) ::)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Sep 15, 2008 at 03:02 PM
wow. nice speaker project. and who will own these babies? ::) ::)

The same person who I am gathering parts for a PP KT88/EL34 in triode mode amp!  ;)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: edrel sison on Sep 17, 2008 at 09:21 PM
congrats to the owner! :) :)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: romymartinez on Sep 18, 2008 at 10:08 PM
wow. nice speaker project. and who will own these babies? ::) ::)

The same person who I am gathering parts for a PP KT88/EL34 in triode mode amp!  ;)

Lucky guy.  ;D
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: ATJr. on Sep 20, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Alexg,

can you make a pair for me?, this time i would like to try a Dai-Ichi driver and find out how it compares... ;D

please pm me about damanges okey? ;D
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: karce on Sep 20, 2008 at 11:39 AM
congrats sir... galing amps to speakers na :)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Sep 21, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Alexg,

can you make a pair for me?, this time i would like to try a Dai-Ichi driver and find out how it compares... ;D

please pm me about damanges okey? ;D

Hi Tony,

What size of driver you want to use? If it is 6" full range, then, I can try it on this cabinet before the owner pick it up.  ;D

If you can get a pair of 8" Beyma fullrange, then you will have a rocking pair of speakers too! (google "Viech" and check out the design, I am using a pair now and it rocks.)

Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: ATJr. on Sep 22, 2008 at 05:38 AM
Hi Tony,

What size of driver you want to use? If it is 6" full range, then, I can try it on this cabinet before the owner pick it up.  ;D

If you can get a pair of 8" Beyma fullrange, then you will have a rocking pair of speakers too! (google "Viech" and check out the design, I am using a pair now and it rocks.)



same size will do.....can your cabinet accept 8" driver? ;D
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Sep 22, 2008 at 07:44 AM
same size will do.....can your cabinet accept 8" driver? ;D

There are designs for 8" drivers (half chang and half chili, I don't know why the designers named these speakers this way  ;D), those are designed for the 8" Fostex drivers, I don't know how it will sound with others.

The German designed Viech is the best bang for the buck speakers that I know of, the drivers are less than 4K for the pair.

Regards.
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: kimmy_kimmy on Sep 22, 2008 at 08:05 AM
hi alex, would you know where i can get a pair of beyma 8ag/n locally?

thanks

can you also pm me how much the viech build would cost?  ;)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Sep 22, 2008 at 09:51 AM
hi alex, would you know where i can get a pair of beyma 8ag/n locally?

thanks

can you also pm me how much the viech build would cost?  ;)

PM'd you the information.

I will take pix of my Viech and post it here.
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: kimmy_kimmy on Sep 22, 2008 at 10:20 AM
thanks alex  :)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Sep 22, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I did some more work on the speaker box.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/2879083214_76c8c0c23f_o.jpg)
The rectangular port on the box on the left.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2879083218_5e003eb8a4_o.jpg)
The internal brace, cutting all the holes. This brace stiffens the front baffle and the back of the cabinet.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2879083222_1a9e1fab3c_o.jpg)
The brace for the side of the cabinet. The burnt wood is from my router, the blades are a bit dull. The opening was routed as relief for the driver.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2879083230_1451285b87_o.jpg)
Ready for dry fit.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2879083236_89c67ea53a_o.jpg)
It fits! Now I have to do the other cabinet.

The progress is painfully slow, the cuts needs to be very accurate for better fit and stronger, non-resonating speaker cabinet.  ;)

Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: ramble_on on Sep 23, 2008 at 08:50 AM
great woodworking skills alex  :)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: dana on Sep 23, 2008 at 09:30 AM
medyo complicated pala internals nyan alexg...
the owner must be grinning now from ear to ear from your semi finished work ;D
am sure, dami televiewers dto sa thread watching the progress of this project.

congrats!
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Sep 23, 2008 at 10:26 AM
medyo complicated pala internals nyan alexg...
the owner must be grinning now from ear to ear from your semi finished work ;D
am sure, dami televiewers dto sa thread watching the progress of this project.

congrats!

I just decided to modify the internal bracing from the original design (it is quite simple, but looks complicated).  ;) Resonating MDF really kills the sound. If I have access to the "REAL" marine grade plywood (void-free plywood), then I would rather use marine ply. (Most of the "marine ply" that you can buy from hardware stores only have "marine" stickers, but not real marine ply.)

Even better are baltic birch plywood, better acoustic properties. Beware, though, some diy people advertise birch ply, when in fact, those ply they using are just pine plywood from shipping crates.   ;D Hehehehehe....
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: romymartinez on Sep 23, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Sir alexg,

Looking really good!  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: edrel sison on Oct 04, 2008 at 01:08 PM
very nice build of a speaker. i can just imagine how heavy those monsters are..
congrats alex and romy!
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 04, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I resumed building the speakers today (too bad I have a full time job, and I can only do this on the weekend,  ;D)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2912150310_7e2e04cb7f_o.jpg)
I sealed the interior of the cabinets with polyurethane automotive clear coat (got it from my work for free).

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2912150316_65809327b9_o.jpg)
After gluing and sealing the interior of the cabinets, I started gluing the narra parquets for the final finish.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2912150320_5baaea5d84_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2912150326_15bea2c026_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2912150332_1b80650886_o.jpg)

Slowly but surely am getting there!  ;)

Tomorrow, I will work on it for a couple of hours, and then we are going to a store having a great CD sale!
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: romymartinez on Oct 06, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Sir alexg,

How thick is the narra?

Looks great!

Regards,

romymartinez
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 06, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Romy,

The narra parquet strips are 3/8" thick. 2"x12"

I have four more sides to cover (I have covered 8 sides already).

After I finish gluing all the narra, then I will have to use a router to even up all the surfaces of the cabinets, then use a power planer to smooth, then a lot of sanding! (am glad I have an electric orbital sander).

After sanding, then the application of spray flat urethane finish, then at last, I can audition the speakers!
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 19, 2008 at 02:47 PM
I am finally finished with gluing all the narra strips.

Today I power planed the surfaces, but I have not sanded the speaker boxes prior to coating with polyurethane varnish.

I will be installing the drivers and binding posts just to see what kind of sound these speakers will produce.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2953233029_1a84f8e4a7_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2953233031_c7cd53d853_o.jpg)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: squatt3r on Oct 19, 2008 at 04:00 PM
looking good sir. how much will it weigh?
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 19, 2008 at 04:44 PM
looking good sir. how much will it weigh?

I have not put it on a scale, but it is substantially heavy. It has a 3/4" MDF topped with 1/4" narra covering, + the internal bracing. hehehehe....

Tonight I should be able to hook it up to my 1.8 watt per channel tube amp.  ;)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: squatt3r on Oct 19, 2008 at 06:00 PM
saw a lot of Fortex drivers dito sa Singapore sa may Martin Electronics. wala nga lang gagawa ng speaker box dito hehe.

Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 19, 2008 at 06:37 PM
saw a lot of Fortex drivers dito sa Singapore sa may Martin Electronics. wala nga lang gagawa ng speaker box dito hehe.


Check out Leda Resources and/or Ahfart Audio, both a Singaporean company, they do speaker cabinets, am sure they already have kits for Fostex speakers.

BTW, how much is the 167e or the 207/208 Fostex sa Singapore? Thanks.
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 19, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Finally, installed the drivers and wired the speakers temporarily. I was just dying to hear them with my tube amp:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2953804223_ed629fbf74_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/2953804229_303f7b726f_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2953804235_433de41954_o.jpg)

First few minutes, typical of a brand new Fostex, shouty and incoherent. I will breakin tonight and check out the sound tomorrow. But, even right now, the vocals are to die for!  ;)

I will coat the speaker cabinet with flat polyurethane varnish on the following weekends, and I might tell the owner that my dog chewed the driver and offer him money for the drivers, and keep the speakers.  ;D
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: romymartinez on Oct 20, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Wow looks awasome.

ON which amps are they paired with at the moment?  ;D

OT: Your Denon DCD-590 with two 6n1p tubes sticking out looks sexy.  ;D
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 20, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Wow looks awasome.

ON which amps are they paired with at the moment?  ;D

OT: Your Denon DCD-590 with two 6n1p tubes sticking out looks sexy.  ;D

Am using my 1.8wpc EF86-6s4a power amp.

You can have your Denon CDP done like my Denon, just bring it over. hehehe...
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: praktikal on Oct 20, 2008 at 11:54 AM
husay!

parang ganito rin yung nasa alabang hi-fi show di ba?

galeng!
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 20, 2008 at 01:39 PM
husay!

parang ganito rin yung nasa alabang hi-fi show di ba?

galeng!

The one at the last Alabang hi-fi show is my Fostex 127e iBIB (inverted big is beautiful speaker cabinet, designed by a group of members of diyaudio.com), it is basically a folded tapered quarter wave speaker cabinet.

This 167e is similar to a mass loaded transmission line cabinet, with an opening similar to a back loaded horn.
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: ramble_on on Oct 20, 2008 at 01:46 PM
alex, congrats on the speaker build. congrats to the owner as well. :)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: Vhongbiker on Oct 21, 2008 at 12:38 PM
galeng naman! ;)
pwede rin bang pagawa? :D
hehe...
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 21, 2008 at 01:57 PM
alex, congrats on the speaker build. congrats to the owner as well. :)

Thanks.

galeng naman! ;)
pwede rin bang pagawa? :D
hehe...

Pwede naman, pero mas maganda siguro MDF then painted with automotive polyurethane paint, simpler and faster. Medyo matagal and mahirap yung gluing narra strips on the cabinet, each strip needs to be planed and trimmed kasi malaki variation sa size. hehehehe...
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: romymartinez on Oct 23, 2008 at 08:24 AM
First few minutes, typical of a brand new Fostex, shouty and incoherent. I will breakin tonight and check out the sound tomorrow. But, even right now, the vocals are to die for!  ;)

I will coat the speaker cabinet with flat polyurethane varnish on the following weekends, and I might tell the owner that my dog chewed the driver and offer him money for the drivers, and keep the speakers.  ;D

How do they sound now? Still breaking in?  ;D
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: alexg on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:22 AM
How do they sound now? Still breaking in?  ;D

Getting better everyday!
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: romymartinez on Feb 09, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Postcript:

Thanks Sir alexg.  ;D  ;D  ;D

(http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8234/chiliqq2.jpg)
Title: Re: A Fostex 167e cabinet build for a pdvd member
Post by: gob on Mar 26, 2009 at 12:19 AM
very nice speaker you got there sir!