Author Topic: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.  (Read 17182 times)

Offline S Clark

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Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #30 on: January 05, 2020, 06:53:30 AM »
This is not meant to be disrespectful or confrontational.   Of course we are all free to do what we please with our stuff, but this is an audiophile site, and the results of random drivers in random 70's mid fi boxes will not turn out well.  But if high quality isn't the goal, but simply a nostalgia piece, then why not.

Here is the "why not".  If viewed from an audiophile  standpoint, then Folsom's description of   " a nutty mess with random drivers... pointless"   is accurate. 
And like Guy says "if others don't like it, well too bad".  Obviously, he is welcome to spend his time and money as he pleases.  But Audio Nervosa is ... audiophile, so expect some criticism.
Speaker-GR Research LS9-XStatik-AltecFlamenco
Amp-Moscode,Dodd,Folsom
Pre-Dodd
Turntable-Vyger,Victor,TechnicSP10MK2
Phonopre-Hagermann,Jolida,GSlee   
Cable-AudioSensibility Wywires TWL
Cartridge-Dynavector,Sumiko
Tonearm-PioneerP3,Jelco
Rythmic sub

Offline Guy 13

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DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #31 on: January 05, 2020, 04:52:00 PM »
This is not meant to be disrespectful or confrontational.   Of course we are all free to do what we please with our stuff, but this is an audiophile site, and the results of random drivers in random 70's mid fi boxes will not turn out well.  But if high quality isn't the goal, but simply a nostalgia piece, then why not.

Here is the "why not".  If viewed from an audiophile  standpoint, then Folsom's description of   " a nutty mess with random drivers... pointless"   is accurate. 
And like Guy says "if others don't like it, well too bad".  Obviously, he is welcome to spend his time and money as he pleases.  But Audio Nervosa is ... audiophile, so expect some criticism.


Hi S Clark.
Thanks for sharing with me and others your view on the meaning of '' Audiophiles ''.
The way I see it, I don't fit into that category.
Therefore I will seriously reconsider my posting of my other projects,
especially the last one  '' U Frame ''
since it will not be built by the book,
but more according to my previous experiences.
That's how I am and I am not ready to change...
I love what I do and the results have been alsways good to my eyes and ears.
I come back to my Pioneer vintage speakers,
after installing new drivers (Chosen to the best of my none audiophiles knowledge)
they might just sit on a shelf to be admired and it I listen to them,
it will be just for a short while...
I think I mentionned that in my original post.
If Audio Nervosa is only for audiophile members and projects
then I don't know what I am doing here ? ? ?
I am not angry, I only say what I think with the English words
and sentence structure that I know and that I am confortable with.
You are entitle to your views and opinions.
That being said, I will go back at my '' Smile with Guy 13 ''
where I don't need to be a Certified audiophile ''  :lol:

Guy 13

Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

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DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #32 on: January 07, 2020, 01:41:06 AM »
hi guy,

i think the point being made here is that for the same, or perhaps only a little more cash outlay, you could actually have something that sounds really good...

doug s.

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions.
This part of the topic (Pioneer Vintage) is now closed.
No more comments.
I got the message loud and clear.

Guy 13
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

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DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #33 on: January 07, 2020, 06:04:50 PM »
Hi all.
Several years ago I bought from Danny Ritchie (GR Research) a pair of M3 drivers kit.
Didn't see it on his website, but it's similar to the AV-3 ? ? ?
I put together the crossover on a board (Masonite wood)
and did the soldering with my trusty - rugged Weller 100-140 watts soldering gun.
The cabinet was done by my Vietnamese cabinet maker,
of course I didn't use Danny's cabinet design, but I kept the internal volume the same.
I did some bracing and used the medium density eggsell foam with some white stuffing.
The cabinet is made of 3-4'' mdf.
I did the vinyl coating myself and it shows.
Poor job, that's why after several years looking at it everyday,
I decided to give them to my cabinet maker so he can re do it in a professional matter.
I will also get a sand filled stand with base so that the drivers are at ears level
instead of putting them on a step stool.
I use the speakers for my home theater with a 20 years old Pioneer receiver
and I am very satidfied with the sound, the bass goes deep enough
for me and the mids and high are good, cannot complain.
My wife used the speakers with her 300 watts Karaoke amplifier and it survive,
surprising, since she went thru two pairs of speakers before that.
More pictures to come after the Vietnamese Lunar New Year when everything is back to normal,
if there is such a thing on planet Vietnam.  :lol:

Guy 13

















« Last Edit: January 07, 2020, 06:08:13 PM by Guy 13 »
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

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DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #34 on: January 07, 2020, 10:27:15 PM »
Hi all.
Another project, this one in progress.
The coaxial drivers (8'' PAudio - Thailand), the assembled crossover (GR Research),
the 12'' woofers (Eminence Acoustinator) and the plate amplifier (GR Research SA-1 (240 watts)
all purchased as kit from Danny Ritchie - GR Research.
The Ferrari red enclosure made by my Vietnamese cabinet maker as per
Danny's original V1.
The foam is very high density foam that I found locally for  pennies...
I also have heavy duty spikes, but for now, it's caster for ease of moving around.
All built with three quarter inche mdf.
I did lots of experimentation with different mids and high drivers,
that's the reason why the top of the enclosure is a mess....
Will be fixed as well as the cabinet itself.
The cabinet maker is working on a sub enclosure for the Pi Audio coaxial driver.
More pictures to come when modification are completed, hopefully at the latest this week.
The bottom section, the woofers (Two X 12'' reverse) is one of the best bass performances
of all my speakers.
I even prefer them to the GR Reaserch servo drivers of the V1,
playing at low volume (Of course).

Guy 13















Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline S Clark

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Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #35 on: January 08, 2020, 06:11:11 AM »
So, you built Danny's N3S kit but completely changed the box and driver alignment. Then you built his V2 speaker according to V1 plans, even though all the drivers are different.    :roll:   
Your money, your time, your speakers.  But you put this stuff online, so deal with the critizism.



Speaker-GR Research LS9-XStatik-AltecFlamenco
Amp-Moscode,Dodd,Folsom
Pre-Dodd
Turntable-Vyger,Victor,TechnicSP10MK2
Phonopre-Hagermann,Jolida,GSlee   
Cable-AudioSensibility Wywires TWL
Cartridge-Dynavector,Sumiko
Tonearm-PioneerP3,Jelco
Rythmic sub

Offline Guy 13

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Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #36 on: January 08, 2020, 03:56:38 PM »
So, you built Danny's N3S kit but completely changed the box and driver alignment. Then you built his V2 speaker according to V1 plans, even though all the drivers are different.    :roll:   
Your money, your time, your speakers.  But you put this stuff online, so deal with the critizism.

Yep ! I did all those crazy things and guess what ?
I live the sound of each of them and I had fun doing all those crazy things.
My money spent was a lot less than buying speakers from well know brands...
I don't deal with critizism, I ignore them...  :lol:

Guy 13
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline S Clark

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Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #37 on: January 08, 2020, 04:19:44 PM »
Good for you.  Glad you like what you've done.  I don't expect anything different.  But I do hope to show any newbies that might look in here this is not a plan to follow.  And these are not the products of one of the best speaker designers currently out there, but some bastardization of his work.   If all you do is throw drivers in some boxes, you get a ....  mess. 
Speaker-GR Research LS9-XStatik-AltecFlamenco
Amp-Moscode,Dodd,Folsom
Pre-Dodd
Turntable-Vyger,Victor,TechnicSP10MK2
Phonopre-Hagermann,Jolida,GSlee   
Cable-AudioSensibility Wywires TWL
Cartridge-Dynavector,Sumiko
Tonearm-PioneerP3,Jelco
Rythmic sub

Offline Guy 13

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DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #38 on: January 08, 2020, 04:42:27 PM »
Good for you.  Glad you like what you've done.  I don't expect anything different.  But I do hope to show any newbies that might look in here this is not a plan to follow.  And these are not the products of one of the best speaker designers currently out there, but some bastardization of his work.   If all you do is throw drivers in some boxes, you get a ....  mess.


 :) :thumb:
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

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DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #39 on: January 08, 2020, 10:07:32 PM »

    WARNING !

This is for the newbies and by the book audiophiles.
This topic of mine, is the sole responsibility of myself '' Guy 13 ''
(Guy Leduc) with limited experience (Basic electronic diploma 1967)
and only a few build modifications of my design (5-6).
I strongly recommend that you follow (By the book) the manufacturer's
specs, design and recommendations.
I build, design and modify other's design if they are not copyright protected.
This hobby is only for my pleasure & satisfaction.
Please go ahead if you want to experiment,
but never come back to me if the resuts do not meet your expectations.
That what experimenting is, with or without knowledge.
Thanks you.

Guy 13

P.S.
More experimenting and photos will be posted on this topic.

Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Nick B

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Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #40 on: January 09, 2020, 12:16:02 AM »

    WARNING !

This is for the newbies and by the book audiophiles.
This topic of mine, is the sole responsibility of myself '' Guy 13 ''
(Guy Leduc) with limited experience (Basic electronic diploma 1967)
and only a few build modifications of my design (5-6).
I strongly recommend that you follow (By the book) the manufacturer's
specs, design and recommendations.
I build, design and modify other's design if they are not copyright protected.
This hobby is only for my pleasure & satisfaction.
Please go ahead if you want to experiment,
but never come back to me if the resuts do not meet your expectations.
That what experimenting is, with or without knowledge.
Thanks you.

Guy 13

P.S.
More experimenting and photos will be posted on this topic.

OK, I got it 😀 You are having fun experimenting. As was said previously, if you like the sound, that’s all that matters.... 👍
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline Guy 13

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  • Audio should be simple !
Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #41 on: January 09, 2020, 01:15:32 AM »

    WARNING !

This is for the newbies and by the book audiophiles.
This topic of mine, is the sole responsibility of myself '' Guy 13 ''
(Guy Leduc) with limited experience (Basic electronic diploma 1967)
and only a few build modifications of my design (5-6).
I strongly recommend that you follow (By the book) the manufacturer's
specs, design and recommendations.
I build, design and modify other's design if they are not copyright protected.
This hobby is only for my pleasure & satisfaction.
Please go ahead if you want to experiment,
but never come back to me if the resuts do not meet your expectations.
That what experimenting is, with or without knowledge.
Thanks you.

Guy 13

P.S.
More experimenting and photos will be posted on this topic.

OK, I got it 😀 You are having fun experimenting. As was said previously, if you like the sound, that’s all that matters.... 👍


Thanks Nick and tmazz,
look like you and tmazz understand  what I'm doing
and how much fun I'm having.
I will keep posting on this topic, until it get dumped in the trash...  :lol:
might not be as popular as my topic '' EVOLUTION '' (Almost 5,000 views)
but that's o.k.

Guy 13

Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Guy 13

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DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #42 on: January 11, 2020, 08:08:56 PM »

Hi all.
My Audio 13 (GR Research M3) speakers completely modified that I use with my Home Theater system
are getting an overall revamp.
I strip the vinyl that was severely damaged and I will get either new vinyl or even better,
get them painted with automobile paint by the same guy that did my other speakers (Ferrari red)
I will also recess to the inside the tweeter by 1cm so it is more aligned with the woofer. (M130 GR Research)
My wife want red with the (New) base black.
Hopefully it will look hawsome in our living room in Canada.

Guy 13





Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.

Offline Nick B

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Re: DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #43 on: January 11, 2020, 11:55:54 PM »

Hi all.
My Audio 13 (GR Research M3) speakers completely modified that I use with my Home Theater system
are getting an overall revamp.
I strip the vinyl that was severely damaged and I will get either new vinyl or even better,
get them painted with automobile paint by the same guy that did my other speakers (Ferrari red)
I will also recess to the inside the tweeter by 1cm so it is more aligned with the woofer. (M130 GR Research)
My wife want red with the (New) base black.
Hopefully it will look hawsome in our living room in Canada.

Guy 13





Red and black sounds like a great combination  :thumb:
Orchard Starkrimson Ultra amp
Supratek Chardonnay preamp
JMR Voce Grande speakers
Border Patrol SEi dac
Holo Red streamer
Hapa Aero digital coax
WyWires Silver cables
TWL Digital American II p cord
Audio Envy p cords
Roon, Tidal, Qobuz
PI Audio UberBUSS

Offline Guy 13

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  • Audio should be simple !
DIY floor standing U frame speakers.
« Reply #44 on: January 12, 2020, 12:48:40 AM »
FWIW (For what it's worth) my favorite colors are : Red, black and white.
The color I really don't like is :
Green, except for tree leaves and grass.

Guy 13
« Last Edit: January 12, 2020, 05:57:46 AM by Guy 13 »
Grace Digital Mondo RIT
Cambridge Mini sub 2.1
Schiit Fulla 2 DAC
Schiit SYS PCC
Sony Passive Bookshelf speakers
Lot more stuff on storage
prior to moving back to Canada.