[Trafford]

Danny,

I noticed that on your site in the Drivers section that the GR-T2 tweeter sits above the M-165X woofer. Any chance that that combination will be showing up in an upcoming design, possibly as a kit?

[Danny Richie]

I guess there is a good possibility of that, but it will have to get behind a handful of other projects currently in the works.

[Trafford]

Great. I'm still in my quest for a reasonably price kit or completed speaker to mate with my XCD-99 and eventually the X-Empower for a great little 2 channel setup.

My interests now are with the x-ls SWG, Selah's SSR with a Hiquphon OW1, the M-165x/XT25 project or something like T2/M-165x I asked about. But I'm open for suggestions.

Is there anything you are currently working on that might fit the bill? It can be a monitor or a small floor stander.

[Danny Richie]

How about this one? It has a great woofer and a great tweeter. 

Fully assembled: http://www.rawacoustics.com/item__RAV6X_speakers_NEW,860.html#


As just the kit: http://www.rawacoustics.com/item__RAV6X_speaker_kit_NEW,859.html

It can be built into a mid sized sealed box stand mount or book shelf model too.

[Vapor Audio]

Wow, somebody is considering my project 

Hey Trafford, I'm just a day or two away from having my OB2X's up and running, as well as finalizing my M-165x/XT25 bookshelf.  I can give you some good input on how the Raw ribbon sounds then in comparison.

[Hank]

I designed and built that RAV6X tower cabinet.  Al has my CAD plans and several photos of the construction process that he will send on a CD to anyone who buys the kit to build them.  I trying to see if he needs new finished speaker photos so he can post bigger pics.  An audiophile friend with mega $$ tube equipment and French speakers has listened to these and was impressed.  They have great soundstage width and depth and are DA BOMB on vocals.  These are my best to-date speakers for small ensembles and might just impress Danny as most lifelike CHICKS SINGING speakers

[Trafford]

Thanks Danny, the RAV6X looks like what I had in mind but I am a little unsure about the ribbon tweeter. I have never really heard one before and I am not sure if I will like the sound. Although it sounds like Hank really enjoys the sound. I am trying to be careful on the speakers I choose since the boss has said I have too much AV equipment, so this 2-channel setup will be my last purchase for a while. Maybe she has a point since I now have three HT setups throughout the house.

I was trying to keep my cost below $600 since I paid only $200 for the XCD-99 and I figured I would pay about the same for the X-Empower. I wanted to put together a sub-$1000 system that could really sing. That was my primary driver on the DIY route plus the fun of "building it myself".

TurboFC3S: I have heard the XT tweeter in the Polks and liked the sound. I will be interested to hear your impressions of your M-165X/XT project and how it compares to the OB2X's.

[RAW]

If you want to read a few reviews on what people think of the RA104.5 ribbons besides the stereomojo review of our HT3  (which Danny just redid the crossover) have a look at these.
http://www.stereomojo.com/RAWHT3SpeakerReview.htm
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=37285.new#new
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_4/raw-acoustics-ht-8-speakers-11-2006.html
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_3/raw-acoustics-ht3-speakers-7-2006.html
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=33541.msg297787#msg297787
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=33186.0
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_1/raw-acoustics-ra-8-speakers-2-2006-part-1.html
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=40427.0
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=42471.0
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=42747.0

In some of these reviews our ribbon is compared to a few well know upper level tweeters.Most people find the RA104.5 ribbon smooth detailed but not harsh ,due to the design of the tweeter .The way we implement the crossover on the ribbon, both have a lot to do with the over all finished sound.

Now for those not sure and reading how sensitive the ribbon elements are.Yes they can be sensitive.(do not blow directly on them)
But we have this in our room and well the photo says it all.


And yes the OB2X reviews should start to come out over the summer .We offered the flat packs as a promo to get the OB2X out and have people build them.

[Trafford]

Al

Thanks for the links. It sounds like your speakers have many happy fans. The only thing I saw in some of the reviews was the comments on real low bass, which isn't a big issue for my 2-channel set up, and the need for a lot of power to drive them. Right now I am driving my 2-channel with an old Proton 40-watt integrated. I don't really play anything that loudly but it would be nice to have that option. I play everything from classical to jazz, blues and rock. I had planned to get the X-Empower digital amp from AV123 when it is out. Are the RAV6X's power hungry?

Assuming I build the speakers myself, is it realistic to complete them for under $600 assuming I put an oak veneer on them? I just don't have a feel for the cost of DIY. This will be my first attempt at DIY speakers and I wondered if this would be a hard project? I used to remodel houses so I can handle power tools but I have never made anything like furniture.

[RAW]

The veneer work is the devil ,but we have included in our kits a lot of info as well as pictures showing how to apply the veneer.

If you look at formwood.com they have some veneer at a very low cost.$20.00 sheet

[Trafford]

The veneer works really scares me which is why I was leaning towards a monitor or maybe a small floor stander, if I get really brave. This will be in the living room so it has to pass the inspection of the boss.

She loves the rosewood on the Rockets that are in the family room so that was why I was also looking at the x-ls SWG. Musically, I was looking for something a little less laid back than the Rockets but it is much more important to keep the boss happy and the speakers' appearance will be her top priority.

Danny said the RAV6X can be built as a mid-sized stand mount. What will that do with to the bottom end of the M-165X? I was hoping the speaker would get into the 40's so I could avoid the use of a sub but still have a nice foundation for jazz and blues, which is what I listen to the most.

[Daygloworange]

Tafford,

If you look on the GR Research forum here, there are plenty of threads where there is a lot of advice on veneering, and people sharing their experiences.

Lots of first time DIY'ers that have managed to get really good results.

Al from RAW Acoustics also has a lot of advice on his forum as well.

Do a little digging in the forums I mentioned. If you get stuck, we will help you out with advice. 

Cheers

[Vapor Audio]

Yea, veneering is no big deal ... just practice a bit

The best tips I've learned are:

- Get your base nice and smooth before laying anything down, that means plenty of sanding and filling in holes/seams with putty
- Use contact cement for the smaller pieces, I'm getting more and more comfortable with contact cement
- If you cold press and use raw wood, wipe both side of the veneer with a moist washrag first to keep it from rolling up on you when you apply the glue.
- Cut a piece of spare MDF to the same size as your largest panels (the ones you'll use cold press on), then put it on top of the veneer for easy and even clamping.
- If you're doing a roundover on the front, then use the iron-on glue method and choose bookmatched veneer pieces to wrap it with.  Don't try to wrap raw wood veneer around roundovers less than 1" unless you enjoy starting over!

But most of all, PATIENCE!  Take your time, think things out.  Once all the veneer is down, the key to a perfect finish is sanding.  I do 150 grit, then 220, and 320 ... then either stain or tung/linseed/danish oil.  With a glossy oil, I do about 2-3 coats then hand sand with 600 grit, another coat, another 600 grit.  Then after the final coat you buff with automotive polishing compound, then swirl remover ... same with poly, buff it like an automotive finish.

It sounds like a lot, but it's really not that hard.  I've done quite a bit of veneering with no workshop, and using either the back porch or the kitchen floor as my work area.  I definately get good use out of my palm sander though

[Trafford]

It looks like there is a lot of good info out there to help prepare for doing veneer. I had debated just building a simple storage box that I could veneer so I could get some practice before attempting some speakers. If it didn't work out it would be no loss and if it did work out I would have a nice wood storage bin for my CD's.

I appreciate all the advice and help. Now I just need to decide on a design I like. Lots of good choices.