[corndog71]

I’ve been using cheap 40 watt soldering irons for over a decade.  No problems.

[nlitworld]

First off, if you're running your iron off a basic extension cord in the garage, or even a power strip, try to eliminate those. I've found direct to wall plug-in or using heavy duty 12g extension cord better. Secondly, heat the wire for 10-20s before touching solder to the joint for big connections. That should heat the metal enough and allow it to flow better. And I've found a broad point 30w Weller does a better job than a fine point 45w other brand. When you get your big gun, keep us posted how it works. You could probably stick weld with that thing. Lol. Also hopefully you're using some good solder like the Cardas or similar. If using lead free solder, that stuff sucks with a super high melt point. Carcinogenic metals for the win! I've desoldered pcb before with big blobs of that lead free stuff and it took using 2 solder guns to heat enough. 

[robwm]

Could you give me more details on the type of solder that you know will work? I've been using solder that came with these kits. I thought it might be suspect. The flux that comes with the kits is not great either.

[JCarney]

Cardas Quad Eutectic Solder is what was suggested to me.



JCarney

[nlitworld]

Cardas Quad Eutectic Solder is what was suggested to me.

Gold standard right there. I'm sure Danny is sending out competent product with his kits, but unsure if this is what's supplied or not. Only time I've varied from this was soldering surface mount pcb parts and needed Itty bitty skinny solder. Added bonus, Sonic Craft always has in stock and usually get in 3 days or so.

[robwm]

Danny's solder works great but I ran out of that.

[KTS]

Cardas Quad Eutectic Solder is what was suggested to me.



JCarney

That solder works well, it was recommended to me as well and it’s all I use now. 

I struggled to solder tube connectors at first as well, but getting a lot of solder on your tip and use a larger chisel tip with more heat, 850 is where I set my iron. Give the wires time to heat, if you are concerned about overheating components, use clip on heat sinks to give you peace of mind. I also use flux to help the solder flow, you should be able to see it flow all the way through the tube connector.

[robwm]

I ended up buying some 60/40 solder from Ace Hardware. It worked perfectly with the Weller Genuine 300-Watts Industrial Soldering Gun Kit | D650PK I purchased. That soldering gun can heat up a tube connector and flow the solder very rapidly. Everything went together as smoothly as Danny demonstrates in his videos.

[robwm]

After 160 days, my Bully build is complete. I ran into a snag after I first tried them. The left tweeter wasn't working. I chased down a broken copper wire with a multimeter and found the break in an area that was pretty easy to access/fix and now it all works as expected.

My wife and I were listening to Cake - Short Skirt/Long Jacket last night. The song starts out pretty aggressive like being tossed around in the back of a reckless car with no seatbelt. Then everything stops. It's completely silent for a few beats and then you can hear the vocalist exhale and then the music starts in again. In that moment, I knew I made the right purchase. After 8 hours of listening, I felt like I left the ring of an MMA match where I got the crap kicked out of me. I'm already hearing things in music I have listened to for years that I never heard before.

Now I need to nail down the furniture.

[duff138]

Congrats.  Thanks for sharing.

[JCarney]

Well done. Now you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor for many years to come.

JCarney

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Congrats! Finally you can enjoy actually listening to them. You will get to rediscover music that you enjoy all over again. These speakers are definitely something special! Keep us posted on your journey!🤟
If you want to make them sound even better, put some of Danny’s diffusers on your front wall.

[SlushPuppy]

Congrats! I bet they sound as good as they look. Thanks for sharing your build with us!

[Tyson]

After 8 hours of listening, I felt like I left the ring of an MMA match where I got the crap kicked out of me. I'm already hearing things in music I have listened to for years that I never heard before.

It's rare that speakers can actually beat you up like that (in the best way possible, of course).  Awesome that they sound as good as they look.  Amazing work on the build.   

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Robwm,
Just curious what you’re driving them with.

[robwm]

Thank you for all of your congratulations and encouragement! I'm not so sure I could have made it through this project without this community. It was extremely challenging. You guys rock!

Gear:
Outlaw Audio RR2160 receiver
Rotel CD11MKII CD Player
Wiim Pro
Nakamichi speaker wire
Monster cable interconnects
Herbies Big Fat Dots

[BrandonB]

After 160 days, my Bully build is complete. I ran into a snag after I first tried them. The left tweeter wasn't working. I chased down a broken copper wire with a multimeter and found the break in an area that was pretty easy to access/fix and now it all works as expected.

My wife and I were listening to Cake - Short Skirt/Long Jacket last night. The song starts out pretty aggressive like being tossed around in the back of a reckless car with no seatbelt. Then everything stops. It's completely silent for a few beats and then you can hear the vocalist exhale and then the music starts in again. In that moment, I knew I made the right purchase. After 8 hours of listening, I felt like I left the ring of an MMA match where I got the crap kicked out of me. I'm already hearing things in music I have listened to for years that I never heard before.

Now I need to nail down the furniture.

Congrats!  I visited Danny at GR Research and listened to a pair of those and they are so nice.  Your work is excellent.  It was up in the air if I should have gotten a pair of those or the Ottica's.  I have the Ottica's and OB Subs and they take up a ton of room.  So either choice is the right choice.  Have fun.......

[robwm]

I have no regrets. These speakers are the right choice for my purpose and living space. I like the fact that I can make the subwoofers work perfect for any room size. That was the most important part of my decision.

I can tell you that it was terrifying to buy a speaker I never had a chance to listen to. What I can tell you for sure is that smile Danny had in his Bully video, it is genuine. He was being honest about how these speakers sound. Pretty incredible so far and breaking them in will make them sound even better? What???

I will admit that I wasn't impressed at the beginning. They didn't sound the way I expected but even after only 8 hours of playing, they sound much different than when they were first fired up. They sound much closer to their true self now than they did during the first hour. I have already heard sounds that I didn't even know existed in my favorite music titles.

This song made me jump out of the couch. I didn't reset the volume for the next song, and it was a bit on the loud side when I hit play - Benny Benassi - Satisfaction  It was a real shock!

The Bully is pretty amazing with synthesizers and electronic sounds in general.

[tremrej65]

Congratulation. I really like the look: perfect dose of black and veneer. And it's a perfect fit with the stand.

[fishboat]

Anything is possible if you're willing to do what's necessary.  You were willing to do what was necessary. 

Nice job. They look great. Bully is a good name.  The things look like a pair of linebackers. Very cool.