For those of you not familiar with the QW's, they are a 2-way speaker in an MLQT (mass-loaded quarterwave tube) transmission line cabinet. This is actually an 80" tall cabinet folded in half internally.
Alan Sull once commented that the QW's "are the most impressive 2-way design I have run into, and aside from the HT3’s, clearly the best speaker under <$10k I have witnessed." And Alan's hobby is listening to and comparing high-end speakers. Many others have told me it was the best-sounding, most natural 2-way they had ever heard. I can't comment on either of these reactions except to say that it is the best 2-way I currently build.
Gary wanted a simple veneer without a lot of grain or figuring. We first looked at pearwood. But we just couldn't find a nice batch of it. So we did a search and came up with honey locust. Unfortunately, we had to purchase a huge batch - far more than we needed. And since I don't get many calls for woods with little grain or figuring, I wondered if I would ever use it all up.
After completing these QW's, I have to admit the simplicity grew on me. This would fit in almost any decor and has a simple elegance to it.
Here is a picture of Gary's finished QW's:
Since there is not place in these MLQT (mass-loaded quarterwave tube) transmission line cabinets for the crossovers, they either have to be mounted in a tall plinth or in outboard crossover enclosures. Gary selected the latter.
Here is a view of the rear connections:
Happy listening Gary!
- Jim
