Hello, I am new to this site so please forgive me if I ask some questions that have been asked before. I have been looking for some smaller speakers to use with my SET amps (low power Supratech Merlots) following a change (hopefully temporary) to a smaller house. I had been considering making some clones of one of the Altec designs when I came across Pi. Having read through the site I suspect that the 4 pi's will suit me very well however I have a few questions relating to these speakers:
1 There seem to be two box sizes for the 4 pi's, 36"x24"x18" for the Theatre's and 26"x18"x14" for all of the others. Am I right in assuming that all of the smaller boxes are the same other than the drivers used? Are all of the boxes similar to build? Wayne, would you send me the plans for these so I can compare them please?
2 What is the approximate weight of the two box sizes - this is relevant as I will probably move them before/after use? I would like to build them from birch ply. What thickness should I use?
3 I am tempted by the smaller boxes and indeed by the full JBL driver setup. Are these compatible with SET amps? Is the JBL compression driver worth the extra money? How does it change the sound? Which driver/box choice would be best for a "free space" set up (I know that the bass will be much reduced)?
4 Lastly I would like to use a wooden tweeter horn (I want to try Dieter Ennemoser's C37 Lacquer and think a wooden horn will work better than plastic/metal). I see you have them for sale on the site, albeit to a new design. How do they sound compared to the previous designs? Will this horn work with either of the kit compression drivers, or with Altec's? Presumably it would have to be mounted on top of the cabinet, what are its dimensions? Would the internal size of the main cabinet have to be changed if I go down this route? Also does the cost vary with finish/wood choice?
My apologies for the many questions.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
David Whistance