blacklabel0730 Messages: 27 Registered: May 2012 Location: United States
Chancellor
Yes, I pulled out all of the components and I start staining today. The speakers are made out of MDF as called for by Wayne's design. The plywood you see is for extra support because the Woofers and Horns are recessed to lay flush against the speaker.
You are also correct on the system. 4pi's with upgraded compression driver and woofer. Dual 3pi subs (Although I will not be able to flank the subs due to space issues and will need to use the subs as stands, no other option) and 2pi's in the rear.
I am running dual mono blocks from emotiva and an xpa-5 for my surround (three more channels if I ever decide on 7.2)
I live in a condo in North-Side Chicago. Let's hope I do not get evicted after this system is completed. When everything is done I will post pictures and video. I am very excited to hear how this is going to sound. I have never heard any pi speakers and am just going off the idea that Wayne's brillant mind created some amazing speakers.
blacklabel0730 Messages: 27 Registered: May 2012 Location: United States
Chancellor
I am down I would love to compared notes and talk music with someone. I am only 27 and when I go into high end audio stores I can't even get the time of day (so annoying). What suburb do you live in?
mantha3 Messages: 72 Registered: May 2012 Location: Lino Lakes, MN
Viscount
Yup, that will be an unreal system for sure. Lots of wattage! Be careful with the volume knob when this is all hooked up!
One thing I have that you may think about.
I have Cable TV with a Digital package. I've had dish too. The converter boxes suck (IMHO). I got a Decware ZSTAGE for about $600 that you can buy with a balanced attenuator. This works as a buffer to help push the signal from the weak converter and you have a little boost should you want to get a bit stronger signal by using the attenuator. The ZSTAGE runs a 12au7 tube. This is basically the type of output stage you wish they had in these boxes. You might like the tube up front on the way into the system to warm things up... Or not.
zheka Messages: 80 Registered: June 2012 Location: Chicago burbs
Viscount
blacklabel0730 wrote on Tue, 14 August 2012 06:15
I am down I would love to compared notes and talk music with someone. I am only 27 and when I go into high end audio stores I can't even get the time of day (so annoying). What suburb do you live in?
I am in Northbrook.
I agree that most high end audio stores suck. There is one happy exception I know of, and it's not far from where you are - Van L Speakerworks. It is a small store front on Western Avenue just south of Peterson on the north side.
John, the owner, is an amazing guy, not pretentious at all. The speakers he builds are actually pretty good IMHO though there is a lot of competition at the price range.
When I first met him I just moved here and could hardly speak any English (not that it changed much, but nevertheless ). Even though it was obvious I am not in a position to buy anything, he would let me spend hours listening to music in his showroom.
blacklabel0730 Messages: 27 Registered: May 2012 Location: United States
Chancellor
Wayne,
I know that you can't paint the insulation but I do not like how the insulation shows in the ports of the 4pi's (right speaker in the picture attached). My question is could I buy grill cloth (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=260-335) and just attach it to the back the air port before I install the insulation?
Wayne Parham Messages: 18787 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
Agreed. I've done that on some speakers with dark wood, where the contrast was really stark. On those four π's in the photo, the color of the insulation looks pretty good to me, but I think the flash from the camera lit it up just right to make the contrast seem more striking. In normal lighting, the port is deep enough no direct light reaches the insulation so it appears much darker.