audio-talk

Toppsy

I finally made a start on the build of these speakers.

They are a larger floor standing version of the little stand mount Fonkens that DTB made for the beloved 4" drivers. These however use the FE167 En 6" drivers and shall be partnered with a top mounting Fostex T90A super tweeter.

This is a new design from Dave D at Planet10. I have attached a photo of the prototype that Dave sent me which is finished in dark Walnut. Mine will either be American Cherry or American Oak. Sorry about the quality of the attachment it's a photo of a print as I can't find my copy of the original image file.

For those contemplating a new build I can heartily recommend Peter Benson (Plywood) Ltd. based in Darwen, Lancs. I have posted a link to their web site in the SUPPLIERS, RECOMMENDED OR NOT section.

These can supply bare Russian Birch ply in all thicknesses plus ready veneered Birch Ply. They also offer a full cutting service either beam saw or CNC flat bed.

They charged me a tenner to cut 2-sheets of 8' x 4' 18mm ply to make my Fonkens using the flat bed beam saw. And I have two large offcut pieces left each around 2'-6" x 4'-0". This saw is computer controlled so the operator just dials in the cutting schedule (based on a plan produced earlier) into the saw program. The accuracy is spot on so this makes assembly of your speakers more like a flat pack from B&Q except you know all the parts fit if you have got your cutting schedule correct.

All they need from you is a cutting schedule by email and they put this through a optimising program based on your size of ply sheet. They use this to cut your sheets. Simple.

I'll more piccies tomorrow of the actual build.

cressy · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject:

hi colin, have you got the plans on file? my 167s are sat doing nothing at the mo and im looking at a new speaker build when the 2a3 is finished (if ever) i could get away with some of those (waf is a ballache innit)!

ed · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject:

Hi Colin

I looked at the peter benson link when you posted on the other thread. I was going to send him some questions but maybe you could give me some pointers.......

have you had any russian birch off him and if so how much is an8x4 sheet. I was a bit skeptikool because his sales picture(which should be pristine) shows a plug right in the middle of the sheet(bit of a woopsy). If you've had any, did it have any plugs?

Ed

Toppsy · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:02 pm Post subject:

Ed,

Yes I got 2-sheets of 8ft x 4ft x 18mm. Cost per sheet £38.40 +VAT.

This is far nicer than the stuff I get from my local timber supplier but yes there are a few elipical plugs but not many. I don't think you can get away without them. You can go to there yard and pick the sheets yourself.

Cressy,
Yes I do have the plans and I'll email you a copy of what DaveD sent me.
I have done my own CAD drawing as I've modified them to suit my preferred size of load box and slightly changed the location of the slots to be in line with the photo. They are shown different on the drawing from DaveD.

Andrew · Shed dweller Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 2228

I'm really looking forward to hearing these, I'm still very much enjoying the the 167 MLTL's and Colin's has done a fabulous job, but I wonder if these cabs might work better in smaller spaces, I'm mostly thinking of the bass integration as you get up closer.

cheers,

-- Andrew

Toppsy · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:35 pm Post subject:

Well Andrew,
Yes it will be interesting how they do bass in comparison the MLTLs. I know that DaveD has been raving how good they do sound. But he may be biased.
If the weather holds out I hope to have them finished by the weekend.
Should be able to pick up your Cherry veneer ply for the Sachiko's either tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday. I just need to get a cutting schedule to them before I travel over.

Andrew · Shed dweller Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 2228

Well its only a very very minor criticism of the MLTL, and only when you get too close in.

Its not the quality of the the bass in anyway, but in some cases its clear that the the lower registers are coming from the port, of course you can't change the physics of the situation, its just how the MLTL's work.

The thought occurred to me the presentation of the Fonkens would be different due to the positions of the slots close to the driver and I'm looking forward to hearing those differences to compare.

-- Andrew

Dave the bass · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:49 pm Post subject:

Phwwwwoooooaaaaaaaarrrrr!

DTB

Andrew · Shed dweller Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 2228

If only it were 4"er and Dave would be in lurve... Wink

Dave the bass · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject:

Toppsy · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

Boy Oh boy, are these an involved build. All those holes to drill for the internal bracing not to mention the driver cut out and rear speaker post opening.

24-panels per speaker. So a total of 48 to make up. I'm glad I got the basic panels cut by PB Plywood.

Here's a picture of all the finished panels for one speaker. I just need to cut out the slots or the biscuits as all panels are but jointed using No10 and No20 jointing buscuits.

Toppsy · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject:

And here is a near finished speaker. The internal braces are simply tacked in place as the internal sides and one side o the main vertical brace need to be lined with 1/2" wool felt. The front panel is glued on after the braces are permanently glued in place. Then the sides have to be chamfered at 45 deg as per DTB little Fonkens.

Thanks DTB. The felt arrived Friday morning. I'll post you a cheque for the postage costs.

Just need to assemble the second speaker next.

Scottmoose · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

Nice work Colin. :^)

cressy · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:19 pm Post subject:

ohmigod, thank god ive got a tablesaw and half a million different sized holesaws for the driver braces Shocked

silly question colin but can i get away with having the birch ply cut into 4x4 sheets? ive got to get it down the cellar and theres no space for a full sheet. being a tight sod i dont want too much wastage from the sheets if at all possible. with regards to the 45 degree cuts did you cut the angles before assembly or stick the entire assembly through the saw? mine is prone to wander about abit with passes longer than about 4 feet if the cut is thicker than about 2". its fine on a normal cut but off when the blade is set to an angle

Andrew · Shed dweller Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 2228

Amazing Colin, you make it look so easy.

-- Andrew