AudioCircle
Industry Circles => GR Research => Topic started by: ScottMoonShot on 12 Oct 2021, 09:58 pm
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How do you all feel about small modification of cabinet size?
I would like to fit the X-CS on top of my vintage stereo console and still open the lids. The space measures 19 1/4 inches. The X-CS is 20 inches wide. Can I cut it down to 19 inches without affecting the sound design significantly?
Many of you believe everything matters? But how much? I am also thinking this is a center channel for home theater use not for two channel hi-fi listening, so shouldn't matter as much yes?
Side note-
Do any of you wood experts know what wood my console is made of for sure?
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230785)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230786)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230787)
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You can cut it by an inch overall down, so long as you make it deeper to compensate for the change in airspace.
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It looks like oak to me but I wouldn't swear to it.
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You can cut it by an inch overall down, so long as you make it deeper to compensate for the change in airspace.
Then I wouldn't be able to just modify a stock flat pack? Unless the flat pack is rabbited and I replace the back panel with non rabbited surface mounted piece? I would have to do the math on volume change.
I'm not a wood worker so want to use a flat pack.
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=230789)
Looks like Walnut...a little faded. It was popular and plentiful in the era.
You could stand the cabinet up if you have the vertical space. Horizontal MTM is not ideal, it's just what folks want or expect to see. I don't know if Danny tilts the response on these for center channel use.
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Looks like Walnut...a little faded. It was popular and plentiful in the era.
You could stand the cabinet up if you have the vertical space. Horizontal MTM is not ideal, it's just what folks want or expect to see. I don't know if Danny tilts the response on these for center channel use.
Walnut seems right.
Not enough room to stand up. Is not the X-CS designed to be horizontal?
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Walnut seems right.
Not enough room to stand up. Is not the X-CS designed to be horizontal?
Not necessarily. GR site says it can be used for left/right, which would lead me to believe it isn't center specific. Hobbs? Danny?
Not sure it matters if you don't have room though.
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Then I wouldn't be able to just modify a stock flat pack? Unless the flat pack is rabbited and I replace the back panel with non rabbited surface mounted piece? I would have to do the math on volume change.
I'm not a wood worker so want to use a flat pack.
The flatpack does indeed uses rabbits and dados.
I would get in contact with Killian who makes our flatpacks if you want something custom.
You can reach out to him at dentonwoodworkers@gmail.com
Not necessarily. GR site says it can be used for left/right, which would lead me to believe it isn't center specific. Hobbs? Danny?
Not sure it matters if you don't have room though.
Correct, they can be used as L/R speakers as well as a center chanbel. You just need to stand it up on its side and rotate the binding post cup or tube connectors.
You would just need to buy a pair since they are sold as single units.
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The flatpack does indeed uses rabbits and dados.
I would get in contact with Killian who makes our flatpacks if you want something custom.
You can reach out to him at dentonwoodworkers@gmail.com
Correct, they can be used as L/R speakers as well as a center chanbel. You just need to stand it up on its side and rotate the binding post cup or tube connectors.
You would just need to buy a pair since they are sold as single units.
Good to know, thanks for the information.
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It looks like butternut, but could easily be a lighter walnut. If you can easily dent it with a fingernail it's butternut, if you can't it's walnut.
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My guess is walnut as well. If not stained walnut will fade over the years.n And it was very popular to use on stereo equipment of that time.
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It looks like butternut, but could easily be a lighter walnut. If you can easily dent it with a fingernail it's butternut, if you can't it's walnut.
To hard for the fingernail.
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X-CS make great stereo speakers. I sometimes miss the pair I sold.
You may want to check if there’s a Bravo version of the X-CS forthcoming. With the smaller woofers it might fit better.
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To hard for the fingernail.
Definitely walnut then. Just faded over the years a little.
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I have a new brilliant idea! (yeah maybe?)
Is there a problem with replacing the two side MDF panels with 1/4" steel plates? Has anyone built speakers with thick steel?
How would that sound?
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I have a new brilliant idea! (yeah maybe?)
Is there a problem with replacing the two side MDF panels with 1/4" steel plates? Has anyone built speakers with thick steel?
How would that sound?
Magico and YG Acoustics use a lot of metal. But you have to cross-brace like mad.
Milling out a big piece of aluminum is more common
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I have a new brilliant idea! (yeah maybe?)
Is there a problem with replacing the two side MDF panels with 1/4" steel plates? Has anyone built speakers with thick steel?
How would that sound?
I think you might end up with resonance issues with steel, but I am just guessing.
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Magico and YG Acoustics use a lot of metal. But you have to cross-brace like mad.
Milling out a big piece of aluminum is more common
I could do aluminum. Less resonance over steel?
This would be just the side panels to make the box narrower. No rez added of course.
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All materials resonate. The key is keeping that resonance out of audible range. If choosing between 1/4" aluminum or steel, I'd choose steel because of density and stiffness. Damp it well and I doubt you'd see any measurable effect.
Is going from 3/4" material to 1/4" for an actual dimensional change of 1" really the deal breaker?
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All materials resonate. The key is keeping that resonance out of audible range. If choosing between 1/4" aluminum or steel, I'd choose steel because of density and stiffness. Damp it well and I doubt you'd see any measurable effect.
Is going from 3/4" material to 1/4" for an actual dimensional change of 1" really the deal breaker?
I know this seems trivial, and it is trivial. The stereo console was inherited from my grandparents and I restored and replaced the capacitors a couple years ago. I love it as a center piece for the living room/home theater.
The space measures 19 1/4 inches. The X-CS is 20 inches wide. I need to loose 3/4" to open the lids on each side.
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I know this seems trivial, and it is trivial. The stereo console was inherited from my grandparents and I restored and replaced the capacitors a couple years ago. I love it as a center piece for the living room/home theater.
The space measures 19 1/4 inches. The X-CS is 20 inches wide. I need to loose 3/4" to open the lids on each side.
Got it. And thanks for being nostalgic about the old console. They were truly nice pieces of furniture and remind me that we live in different world with different priorities now.
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Life is full of compromises. I've faced similar size constraints and modified flat packs accordingly and they worked for their intended purpose.
It sounds like your going the flat pack route and you aren't going to want to change dimensions in multiple directions, or else your not too far from making the flat pack pointless.
My suggestion is simply to replace both 3/4 inch thick end pieces with new 1/2" mdf pieces, while also insetting them an additional 1/4" on each side. The change of material saves you 1/2" and the 1/4" inset on each side saves you another 1/2" total, moving overall length to 19"
Yes, the 1/2" end-caps might have more flex than 3/4" material. They are small pieces, fully captured on all sides. The world is full of speakers built with 1/2" cabinets. That small change won't "ruin" your speaker. The loss of 1/2" length of internal spacing may cause a minimal tuning effect, but may not be enough to even be noticed and I doubt that change would have more impact than its overall placement in the room. Again, Im certain it will not "ruin" your speaker.
Most consumers don't utilize ideal room placement and they still love their speakers. You will still love your X-CS even if you shorten and modify them a tiny bit. They won't be ruined.
I dont see how that small internal volume change would be considered detrimental. It is not necessarily more of a volume change than upgrading a small retail speaker by adding a new much larger crossover board with large inductors and capacitors.
I do think the X-CS is a great speaker and will work well for your situation, even if you shorten it a tiny bit. If you aren't set up to cut new 1/2" end pieces, and can't get any help locally, I could probably cut them and send them to you for almost nothing. I'm on the table saw all the time, something small like that is super simple.
Good luck, whatever you decide
Elon
ezeescrossovers.com (http://ezeescrossovers.com)
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Life is full of compromises. I've faced similar size constraints and modified flat packs accordingly and they worked for their intended purpose.
It sounds like your going the flat pack route and you aren't going to want to change dimensions in multiple directions, or else your not too far from making the flat pack pointless.
My suggestion is simply to replace both 3/4 inch thick end pieces with new 1/2" mdf pieces, while also insetting them an additional 1/4" on each side. The change of material saves you 1/2" and the 1/4" inset on each side saves you another 1/2" total, moving overall length to 19"
Yes, the 1/2" end-caps might have more flex than 3/4" material. They are small pieces, fully captured on all sides. The world is full of speakers built with 1/2" cabinets. That small change won't "ruin" your speaker. The loss of 1/2" length of internal spacing may cause a minimal tuning effect, but may not be enough to even be noticed and I doubt that change would have more impact than its overall placement in the room. Again, Im certain it will not "ruin" your speaker.
Most consumers don't utilize ideal room placement and they still love their speakers. You will still love your X-CS even if you shorten and modify them a tiny bit. They won't be ruined.
I dont see how that small internal volume change would be considered detrimental. It is not necessarily more of a volume change than upgrading a small retail speaker by adding a new much larger crossover board with large inductors and capacitors.
I do think the X-CS is a great speaker and will work well for your situation, even if you shorten it a tiny bit. If you aren't set up to cut new 1/2" end pieces, and can't get any help locally, I could probably cut them and send them to you for almost nothing. I'm on the table saw all the time, something small like that is super simple.
Good luck, whatever you decide
Elon
ezeescrossovers.com (http://ezeescrossovers.com)
Thank you for the response. You understand exactly what I'm trying to do.
You make an interesting point about crossover size, I had not thought of before.
I really like your solution and I do have a table saw. I am sure I can handle this. Thank you for offering to help.