Here's some pictures of my X-LS Encore build. Not sure how to get them on the build page, so here they are. The kit with crossovers and flatpack should look familiar to anyone who's done this before. Great fun!
Crossovers wired. Thank you very much for the build videos Danny. I don't think I could have done it without them.
I cut the No Rez on the bandsaw. Super easy. As you can see I'm a little more anal than some folks, so I measured everything precisely on the flatpack first, outlined it, and then transferred it to the backing on the No Rez.
Here you can see the outlines for the No Rez on the flat pack. You'll be able to see in the mock up, before cabinet building, that there was really no need as the No Rez fills the cabinet, so no guidelines required.
Here's the mock up with No Rez and crossovers inside. Ready to build the cabinets.
Here's the cabinet clamped with my new Bessey clamps. If nothing else this project was an excuse to buy some new tools! A special shout out to Peter J as I used his videos as a reference for the cabinet construction. There really is an amazing amount of support information online when building these. Thanks to all!
Here's the finished cabinets with a 1/2" round over on the edges. Yes, I did take the opportunity to buy a 1/4" flush cut bit to remove the glue squeeze out. Thanks again Peter!
It took me a long time to decide how to finish the cabinets. I was very tempted to try veneering for the first time, but I think the need to hear these sooner rather than later drove me to use duratex. I used the method in Danny's video with the plastic bag pat down. After looking at them I wanted to do something more, so I bought some Krylon burgundy paint and gave them a few coats in my paint booth (back yard). I think they turned out pretty good for a rattle can job.
And here they are finished with my Schiit system. If anyone is interested, it's either a Mac Laptop connected via USB, or a RP4 with Volumio, connected to a Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC, to a Schiit Saga + Preamp, to a Schiit Vidar amp, to GR Research X-LS Encore speakers.
How do they sound? AMAZING. To be honest, I was never so nervous as turning them on for the first time. I wasn't sure whether smoke of music would come out of the boxes. I was glad the shrink tube hid some of my less than professional looking solder jobs. All good though, and looking for the next project. I'm guessing a pair of H frame subs is in my future, then some NX-Oticas? Or perhaps just listening to some music first
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