Best ever deal for loudspeaker kits.
- Thread starter captrajesh
- Start date
anm
Well-Known Member
wassup dudes
anm
Well-Known Member
I have to get the subwoofer build started first. But not finding any time on weekends
Why there are no write up on the performance of the speakers yet??
Even I'm mystified
:annoyed:I think I have to start my build soon.
My build has not progressed much for the last 2 to 3 weeks, it is more or less same status as in pictures I given in post 1573. I was only able to get veneer of 3mm instead of 1+ mm and got it pasted on one box. Coloring the veneer was another challenge, tried trial and error method and looks somewhat ok. It may take few more weeks to complete as I am not able to spend much time on it other than weekends.
I am glad to report that my X-LS Encore cabinets have been painted and I got them last Saturday night from magma.
So I fitted the drivers, filled up some "recron" synthetic fibres as per my guesstimates, and fired them up.
From the first notes, it was clear that the sound that these speakers make is very agreeable indeed. From the word go, female vocals are especially beautiful, meaning it has a very good midrange. The treble was initially harsh but after many hours of extended play from last night, the treble has sweetened a lot. And I am quite surprised by the resolution that these speakers are capable of.
Coming from a background of a large floorstander with 10 inch woofers producing more than adequate bass, I was initially unhappy with the quantum of bass. After consulting magma and Mr Khushrau Jilla, I realised that I had stuffed way too much damping material and had stifled both the bass and the treble. For those who are using NoRez lining, please note that you don't need to put much fiber filler. Whatever you put in will be mainly to tame the treble to acceptable levels. I'm guessing the final filler quantity is about 300 gms per side. Earlier "guesstimated" quantity was about half a kilo per side. I bought 2 kgs of filler and have a lot left over. Anyone in need in Bombay, just give me a shout. With the reduced filler quantity, bass improved greatly, and the treble is also adequately tamed (though I personally prefer a hot-ish treble as long as it doesn't cause sibilances).
Impressions after about 24 hours:
1) The X-LS Encore has beautiful midrange
2) Treble has improved a lot, and I am assuming it will improve further
3) Bass is now adequate after tweaking the filler qty
4) It does imaging well and digs up very good amount of details without sounding boring or clinical.
5) I find the decays very satisfying. Attack is good too. And high marks for PRaT.
6) It also handles dynamic swings well.
I don't have enough personal experience with bookshelves to make a meaningful comparison but I'm guessing it will acquit itself rather well against its 'factory made' peers costing several times more.
All in all, it has been a very worthy effort. Lots of learnings gained, tons of fun to be had along the way; the beautiful sonics almost feels like a bonus. And makes you forget the long, painful wait to get to this point. Before starting out, I had thought that if they sounded decent, I would think of stands. It is good enough to warrant dedicated stands.
Will post pics tomorrow.
Capt: thanks for being a good leader, never for a moment losing your cool and patience despite the unwarranted barbs that came your way.
Next stop: GRR Super V group buy, anyone?
So I fitted the drivers, filled up some "recron" synthetic fibres as per my guesstimates, and fired them up.
From the first notes, it was clear that the sound that these speakers make is very agreeable indeed. From the word go, female vocals are especially beautiful, meaning it has a very good midrange. The treble was initially harsh but after many hours of extended play from last night, the treble has sweetened a lot. And I am quite surprised by the resolution that these speakers are capable of.
Coming from a background of a large floorstander with 10 inch woofers producing more than adequate bass, I was initially unhappy with the quantum of bass. After consulting magma and Mr Khushrau Jilla, I realised that I had stuffed way too much damping material and had stifled both the bass and the treble. For those who are using NoRez lining, please note that you don't need to put much fiber filler. Whatever you put in will be mainly to tame the treble to acceptable levels. I'm guessing the final filler quantity is about 300 gms per side. Earlier "guesstimated" quantity was about half a kilo per side. I bought 2 kgs of filler and have a lot left over. Anyone in need in Bombay, just give me a shout. With the reduced filler quantity, bass improved greatly, and the treble is also adequately tamed (though I personally prefer a hot-ish treble as long as it doesn't cause sibilances).
Impressions after about 24 hours:
1) The X-LS Encore has beautiful midrange
2) Treble has improved a lot, and I am assuming it will improve further
3) Bass is now adequate after tweaking the filler qty
4) It does imaging well and digs up very good amount of details without sounding boring or clinical.
5) I find the decays very satisfying. Attack is good too. And high marks for PRaT.
6) It also handles dynamic swings well.
I don't have enough personal experience with bookshelves to make a meaningful comparison but I'm guessing it will acquit itself rather well against its 'factory made' peers costing several times more.
All in all, it has been a very worthy effort. Lots of learnings gained, tons of fun to be had along the way; the beautiful sonics almost feels like a bonus. And makes you forget the long, painful wait to get to this point. Before starting out, I had thought that if they sounded decent, I would think of stands. It is good enough to warrant dedicated stands.
Will post pics tomorrow.
Capt: thanks for being a good leader, never for a moment losing your cool and patience despite the unwarranted barbs that came your way.
Next stop: GRR Super V group buy, anyone?
Last edited:
My earlier WIP pictures were here: http://www.hifivision.com/diy/28409-cabinet-build-gr-group-buy-kits-3.html
To continue with the pictures:
1) Front four-thirds view
It was too late to round the driver ports and this may lead to sonic compromises. Those who have not progressed to this level, please ensure that you round the inners of your driver holes. This is strongly recommended by Danny.
2) Port being filled
3) Binding post awaiting to be fitted
4) Completed back side:
5) Fitting the signal cable to the woofer. Note the use of clip. With hindsight, I would recommend soldering it. If you must use clips, make sure that you use a large plier to apply lots of force to the clip after fitting it. This will ensure pressure fit.
6) Right speaker
7) Next to their larger brothers
8) Elevated on stools
To continue with the pictures:
1) Front four-thirds view
It was too late to round the driver ports and this may lead to sonic compromises. Those who have not progressed to this level, please ensure that you round the inners of your driver holes. This is strongly recommended by Danny.
2) Port being filled
3) Binding post awaiting to be fitted
4) Completed back side:
5) Fitting the signal cable to the woofer. Note the use of clip. With hindsight, I would recommend soldering it. If you must use clips, make sure that you use a large plier to apply lots of force to the clip after fitting it. This will ensure pressure fit.
6) Right speaker
7) Next to their larger brothers
8) Elevated on stools
srinisundar
Well-Known Member
Very nicely done 'jls001'. Congrats.
Congrats Joshua, they look Fantastic. I have heard GR Research Speakers (can't remember the model but his had ribbon tweeters) at FM Gijo George's house in Cochin. Given their size, I didn't miss a floorstander, such was the scale of presentation.
Too complicated. I will run it naked. May be I will get a nice cover stitched so that I can at least cover it when not playing.
I agree about the scale part. Especially given my small room size. They produce room-filling sound. I was also a bit worried whether I would need to crank up the volume quite a bit, but no worries there either. I am guessing it is about 88 dB/W/m sensitive.
grubyhalo
New Member
Looks real beefy! Are those ATC's in the background?
Of course they would sound nice; after all the tweeters are said to be one of the best in the business.
It has happened because of the patience and perseverance of the all you participants, may be barring a couple of stray incidents.
If you were painting it, it would've made better sense to round off the edges sonically as well as aesthetically speaking (IMHO)
It is not too late IMO; you can do it now also; only thing is, it will be more tedious. You would need to use files of different grades for rounding the ports, starting with a coarse and ending with fine file. Am I missing anything here?
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The NoRez is already firmly glued as is the front baffle (as in forever
)If I am to start filing off the edge, the saw dust will settle all over the NoRez and x-over.
I will live with what I have
By the way, any one in Mumbai building X-LS Encore without the sonicap upgrade? Mine happens to use the Sonicap capacitors in the crossover. A comparo of the Sonicapped and non-Sonicap would be real nice to understand if the extra money has been worth it.
grubyhalo
New Member
There are quite a few threads in the GR Research circle of Audiocirlce that discuss the Sonicaps in length. I'll try posting a few later if you don't have any luck...
The NoRez is already firmly glued as is the front baffle (as in forever
If I am to start filing off the edge, the saw dust will settle all over the NoRez and x-over.
I will live with what I have
If you can peel off the No Rez on the front baffle, you can cover that on the other sides and do the filing. Don't you think so?
A beautiful, well-constructed speaker with class-leading soundstage, imaging and bass that is fast, deep, and precise.
