Posted by Wayne Parham [ 67.66.230.81 ] on April 22, 2004 at 00:44:48:

In Reply to: A few questions from a non DIY guy. posted by edta on April 21, 2004 at 20:54:28:

Hello Edta,

You wrote:

>> You provide loudspeaker systems, which you build, or kits, correct?

Yes, both completed loudspeakers and kits. Individual parts too.

>> The cabinets of the kits must be completely built by the buyer?

Yes.

>> Or the buyer has to go out and find a carpenter who can build the
>> cabinet to the plans?

That's a good option too, yes.

>> And then the buyer has to install the kit into the cabinet built
>> either by himself or his carpenter, or someone who understands how
>> to do it?

That's right, yes.

>> Can one get the plans and instructions of the kit prior to buying?

Yes.

>> I notice that no mention is made of the weight of the fully
>> assembled units. Wouldn’t that be a large factor in shipping of a
>> completed fully built speaker system?

Yes.

>> What about shipping weight of a kit?

The shopping cart shows shipping costs.

>> Say I’m interested in the 4Pi professional bass reflex. What does
>> the cabinet look like?

Like this:

>> How do the panels go together? How do I mount the panels?

Assembly can be done with butt joints or more complicated methods. It's not really a very difficult job, as woodworking and cabinetry goes.

>> How do I mount the drivers?

You just bolt them in.

>> Can the speakers be removed for service?

Yes.

>> Do you use wood screws?

For light drivers, wood screws are sufficient. For heavier ones, T-Nuts are used instead.

>> Are there panels that allow disassembly?

None are needed for most models. Access to the drivers is made through the front. The midrange horn requires rear access though.

>> What if I want to substitute different drivers?

This can be done on some models; It isn't recommended on others.

>> Do I have to purchase the plans to these "kits" and speakers
>> before I can understand what they are really like?

You can have the plans whether you purchase or not. I just ask that you don't use them to build speakers and compete against me.

>> Your crossovers, are they better than the company provided
>> crossovers, viz, JBL?

I prefer not to comment on others products, particularly a general statement about all of them. But then again, of course my crossovers are best.

>> Have you made and published freq. runs to show how effective they are?

Please see the previous post called "A few useful documents."

>> Have you compared them to freq. runs of the company (JBL) provided
>> crossovers?

I've compared my designs to various others, yes.

>> Your value added includes the crossover design and performance, right?

Yes.

And the collection of parts that make up a kit are priced at about the same cost as other vendors, so the assembly we do and all the work I've done to design the speaker is practically free for the DIY builder. This is quite substantial. I've done a lot of work to make these speakers perform well. The assembly is also non-trivial, as it represents an hour or two per kit. No soldering is required for the builder to complete a kit.

>> Oh, and the prices. I assume they are for 1 speaker system only.
>> Stereo doubles the price, right?

That's right. Prices are for one speaker, double for two.

Thanks for asking,

Wayne

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