Seas Idunn DIY Speaker Build Log (FINALLY FINISHED)

[Dackzy]

44 minutes ago, rhyseyness said:

Yamaha A-S501.

I have a temporary plan to make space for them

Involves cutting out a section of my current storage.

Long term, gonna re-arrange and redecorate the whole room

nice amp  

[rhyseyness]

1 hour ago, Dackzy said:

nice amp  

Thanks!

Considering I've never bought a hi-fi amp before, I was hoping I'd bought something decent 

[Dackzy]

4 minutes ago, rhyseyness said:

Thanks!

Considering I've never bought a hi-fi amp before, I was hoping I'd bought something decent 

Yamaha makes some of the best "budget" ones. Their sound is a bit laid back, but very detailed and good soundstage.

I have the R-N500, which is in many ways just the receiver version of yours with some extra features.

[rhyseyness]

Just now, Dackzy said:

Yamaha makes some of the best "budget" ones. Their sound is a bit laid back, but very detailed and good soundstage.

I have the R-N500, which is in many ways just the receiver version of yours with some extra features.

I looked at the R-N500 a lot.

In the end I couldn't justify the extra price for all the extra network/remote control stuff, when my PC is gonna be plugged into it anyway.

[Dackzy]

1 hour ago, rhyseyness said:

I looked at the R-N500 a lot.

In the end I couldn't justify the extra price for all the extra network/remote control stuff, when my PC is gonna be plugged into it anyway.

you also get radio

but yeah, I understand why you didn't get a r-n500

[rhyseyness]

Day 43

 

Day 43 (yesterday) marked a momentous occasion.

I completely sanded and finished the top face on one speaker.

Sanded down with 1500, then 2000, 3000 grit sandpaper and finally super fine 0000 steel wool.

Applied compound with the buffer and I achieved a finish that I'm more than happy with.

There's a few little imperfections, but my god, I'm so glad it actually looks good.

I also cut the bass reflex tubes down to size.

The amp arrived too (it's a thing of beauty)

Today, I'm going to do all the other faces, and start fitting stuff into them

Thank god the painting may finally be over. (Note: I said "may," I don't wanna speak too soon, lol)

 

Spoiler

After a quick go with 1500 grit (I carried on with 1500 after this photo was taken to remove more of the high points).

 

Sanded down with 2000 grit.

 

3000.

 

Steel wool

 

MIRROR SHINE LADS.

 

Couldn't stop taking photos of it.

 

Unapologetically using up all your data with photos of this.

 

Bass reflex tubes cut down to size (yes I filed the cut edges down).

 

Awful photo of the amp, lol.

So if all goes well, I'll be finished today or tomorrow!

 

[SSL]

Nice!!! That's got to feel good after all the setbacks.

[rhyseyness]

35 minutes ago, SSL said:

Nice!!! That's got to feel good after all the setbacks.

I think it's actually made it worth all the setbacks 

Feels great. Can't wait to do the rest this afternoon

[Dackzy]

2 hours ago, rhyseyness said:

Day 43

 

Day 43 (yesterday) marked a momentous occasion.

I completely sanded and finished the top face on one speaker.

Sanded down with 1500, then 2000, 3000 grit sandpaper and finally super fine 0000 steel wool.

Applied compound with the buffer and I achieved a finish that I'm more than happy with.

There's a few little imperfections, but my god, I'm so glad it actually looks good.

I also cut the bass reflex tubes down to size.

The amp arrived too (it's a thing of beauty)

Today, I'm going to do all the other faces, and start fitting stuff into them

Thank god the painting may finally be over. (Note: I said "may," I don't wanna speak too soon, lol)

 

  Hide contents

After a quick go with 1500 grit (I carried on with 1500 after this photo was taken to remove more of the high points).

 

Sanded down with 2000 grit.

 

3000.

 

Steel wool

 

MIRROR SHINE LADS.

 

Couldn't stop taking photos of it.

 

Unapologetically using up all your data with photos of this.

 

Bass reflex tubes cut down to size (yes I filed the cut edges down).

 

Awful photo of the amp, lol.

So if all goes well, I'll be finished today or tomorrow!

 

oh shit shit shit, that is going to rival what I can do with my woodworking skills  Nice work  I am actually impressed...

Also, your integrated amp has a pure direct mode, use it. I found that it makes the sound a tiny bit wider and a bit more neutral + detailed. You basically cut out everything that isn't needed. Also, that remote is FAT, god damn.

[rhyseyness]

1 hour ago, Dackzy said:

oh shit shit shit, that is going to rival what I can do with my woodworking skills  Nice work  I am actually impressed...

Also, your integrated amp has a pure direct mode, use it. I found that it makes the sound a tiny bit wider and a bit more neutral + detailed. You basically cut out everything that isn't needed. Also, that remote is FAT, god damn.

That's it. I'm happy.

It rivals Dackzy.

Job done, everyone go home 

 

For real though, thanks dude, I appreciate it

 

Looking forward to having a play around with the amp tonight/tomorrow

Remote is a beast 

[klh2000]

5 hours ago, rhyseyness said:

That's it. I'm happy.

It rivals Dackzy.

Job done, everyone go home 

 

For real though, thanks dude, I appreciate it

 

Looking forward to having a play around with the amp tonight/tomorrow

Remote is a beast 

That looks much better than the finish I have on my frugal horns, congratulations!

 

[rhyseyness]

Day 44/45/46

 

Apologies for the lack of updates, been busy doing them and sorting out my room, so haven't had a chance to update.

In short, they're finally finished!!

I'll let the photos do most of the talking.

They look ok (I don't think they look incredible or amazing by any stretch, but acceptable), but  they sound incredible.

So so pleased that they sound as good as they do, makes up for the looks and all the effort it took to build them.

 

Spoiler

Final finish quality before compound.

 

Ready for compounding after about 3 hours of sanding.

 

Post compound.

 

MIRROR

 

Fitting in the crossover.

 

Crossover glue.

 

Mounted.

 

Started stuffing (250g per speaker).

 

More stuffing, and making sure all the right wires come out the right holes.

 

Bass reflex tube fitted. Put in with a hammer as it's designed to fit that way (no glue required).

 

Soldering up the drivers...

 

...and terminals.

 

First driver mounted... This was a bitch to fit in, had to sand down the inside edge a bit.

 

Second driver installed.

 

Terminal fitted.

 

All done

Well there we have it, all done at last.

It took forever, but I feel like it's been worth it.

They look good enough, and sound so good that I don't care, lol.

I think if I ever do this again, I'll veneer rather than paint...

I've learnt a hell of a lot and I'm really glad I did the project.

Overall, I think it's cost me about £1200 to do this, including the amplifier and tooling I didn't already have.

That's about £400 per speaker for materials, if you use as much paint as I did, and already have the tools and an amp.

Hope everyone's enjoyed coming along for the ride

[Dackzy]

55 minutes ago, rhyseyness said:

Day 44/45/46

 

Apologies for the lack of updates, been busy doing them and sorting out my room, so haven't had a chance to update.

In short, they're finally finished!!

I'll let the photos do most of the talking.

They look ok (I don't think they look incredible or amazing by any stretch, but acceptable), but  they sound incredible.

So so pleased that they sound as good as they do, makes up for the looks and all the effort it took to build them.

 

  Hide contents

Final finish quality before compound.

 

Ready for compounding after about 3 hours of sanding.

 

Post compound.

 

MIRROR

 

Fitting in the crossover.

 

Crossover glue.

 

Mounted.

 

Started stuffing (250g per speaker).

 

More stuffing, and making sure all the right wires come out the right holes.

 

Bass reflex tube fitted. Put in with a hammer as it's designed to fit that way (no glue required).

 

Soldering up the drivers...

 

...and terminals.

 

First driver mounted... This was a bitch to fit in, had to sand down the inside edge a bit.

 

Second driver installed.

 

Terminal fitted.

 

All done

Well there we have it, all done at last.

It took forever, but I feel like it's been worth it.

They look good enough, and sound so good that I don't care, lol.

I think if I ever do this again, I'll veneer rather than paint...

I've learnt a hell of a lot and I'm really glad I did the project.

Hope everyone's enjoyed coming along for the ride

I expect a 10 page long review in a month  (/s)

 

I am happy that they turned out well for you  

[rhyseyness]

So for those who are interested, the last 2 days I've completely re-arranged and re-furnished my room to accommodate the speakers.

Here's the result