Once in a while, we want to try something new. So we build pairs of speakers with no particular customer in mind. Such was the case with these two pairs.
The first was a pair of Song3 BeAT's done in monkeypod veneer and orange dye was applied to the topcoat. I love the look of monkeypod. It is somewhat close to walnut in terms of its natural color, but the grain and figuring are quite different. They even have a bit of chatoyance (sparkle) similar to that of many forms of mahogany.
Here are some pictures...
And a close-up...
These were sold before they were finished.
On many occasions in the past, we have been asked to build the cabinets from bamboo hardwood. This is fairly expensive at about $500 per sheet (most of which is transportation from China). When we do, we often have one or two small pieces of it left over.
Over many months, we had a pile of these scraps and realized we had enough for a pair of speakers. So, again, we built a pair of Song3 BeAT's. The problem was, since these pieces were from different boards, the color varied just a bit. In order to address this, we thought we'd try something we've never done before. We rubbed a light coat of black dye onto the cabinet surfaces and the result was a warm gray color. We then used "metallic graphite" automotive paint for the front baffle.
Here is the resulting, somewhat contemporary look on this one-of-a-kind pair...
And a close-up...
The bamboo would add about $500 to the cost of the build and the graphite paint would add another $350. But these are currently available at the standard veneered price. (
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=165949.0)
- Jim
