[slksc]

I’m pleased to report that my speaker package is finally completed.  I bought a 5.1 package from Danny, and I actually finished construction about a month ago.  But I had held off on staining until construction on all the speakers was finished, then I made the mistake of connecting them to my system and started listening.  Not surprisingly, the more I listened, the better I liked them, and so the staining got delayed.  Finally bit the bullet last week and got the job done.

My veneer is a flat cherry veneer from Oakwood.  I used the thicker-backed no-bubble variety, which was easier for me to work with than standard paper-backed veneer, though a bit pricey.  I got my wife to pick out a stain she liked, then I sealed them with three coats of semi-gloss polyurethane.

Here’s the “family photo:”



Here is my front setup.  The AV-3S center channel is inside the cabinet. 



And one of the AV-1S surrounds on the wall:



I have a gallery of some ugly construction shots, for anyone who is interested.

http://childers.smugmug.com/gallery/1750885#P-1-15

I really enjoyed this project.  Despite my mediocre expertise in woodworking, and zero experience in electronics, the whole process was a lot of fun.  I’m actually a little disappointed that the project is actually over.

Many thanks of course to Danny, for whom no question was too stupid to answer.  And a special thanks to this forum for great woodworking tips.  I don’t know how I would have finished without all the great advice on construction and veneering.

[Danny Richie]

Wow, good looking speakers!

I’m actually a little disappointed that the project is actually over.

Oh its not over. I can already see that the next phase will be room treatment. With some well designed room treatment your system is going to get a whole lot better.

[mcgsxr]

Nice work, a really good looking set of speakers.

I especially liked the photos of your assistant's diligence in the QC area!

[slksc]

I can already see that the next phase will be room treatment. With some well designed room treatment your system is going to get a whole lot better.

Thanks, Danny.  You're right: those walls are awfully bare.  I wouldn't mind working on a project to build some wall treatments, get my wife to pick out fabrics she likes (always looking for ways to cut down that WAF, you know). But where do I start?  What's a good web site to get me pointed in the right direction?

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Steve, nice job with finishing on those speaker set

    I checked out your speaker construction photo gallery. Look like you've had a helping hands..... I mean helping paws building those speakers

    You know my cat Mr. Bubble also helped me when I was building my speaker back in '02.

Take care,
Buddy

[mcgsxr]

Not that I have built any, but this site is commonly referred to, as a great resource.

http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/a.htm

This one has "pretty" pictures of one guy's ideas.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kidder/Audio/Room/PANEL/Panels.htm

[Danny Richie]

Room treatment links:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kidder/Audio/Room/PANEL/Panels.htm

http://pat.home.mchsi.com/SAP.html

http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/a.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/sports/RCcars/acoustic_panels.htm

http://home.comcast.net/~audio-worx/page2DIYpanels.html

Danny

[slksc]

Thanks, Danny and mcgsxr for those links.  Those projects are certainly feasible.  But why do I have the feeling that the guys at those links are bachelors (or divorced  ).  Whatever solution I come up with will have to bring a high WAF approval.

[mcgsxr]

I hear you on the finish of the products - involving the significant other in terms of fabric utilized will likely dramatically increase the WAF!

[Danny Richie]

Start out with, "honey we need new drapes in here." Get her started picking out material and do matching drapes and wall panels. Then you might can slide some small diameter tube traps into those corners without too much of a freak out.