Well,
Its about time I posted my full review of the HT3 DIY speaker kit from RAW Acoustics.
Current Photos at:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=33267.0You can track the building process at:
http://www.geocities.com/ghaunadaur99/audio/ht3.htmlEquipment:
SOURCE - I use a (modded) Onix X-CD88 CD Player as a transport, supported by a Perpetual Technologies P1a, P3 (Modwright Level II), and Monolithic Sound Perpetual Power Plant.
Preamp/Amp - Currently using a Onkyo Integra 807A 80wpc Integrated Amplifier. Soon, I will finish my DIY UCD-180 Monoblocks and the Mapletree Audio Magic 5B (50% done)
The speakers are the HT3 Kit with all upgrades: Vibebuster8 Spike Feet, Solen Capacitors, etc. I built the Crossover in an external box so that I can experiment with active electonics and biamping in the future, but for now I will remain in passive mode.
I first came across the speaker here on Audiocircle, and I was very impressed with the possibilities. I Wanted a slim, small floorstanding full-range speaker. I wanted it to be a DIY design so that I could get hte most speaker for the money, and because I really enjoy the building process. There is a huge difference between listening to something you have bought and listening to something you bave BUILT!
Up to this point, the speaker I have drooled over has been the Sonus Faber Cremona. What a beautiful speaker! The sound in that speaker has been the benchmark for me for a couble of years. However, at almost $9,000 - the speaker is way out of my price range. The HT3 had some very positive feedback here on Audiocircle, so I decided to give it a try.
The building process was really fun. I special-ordered piano-grade 13-ply baltic birch from a local supplier in two 5x5 sheets. VERY HEAVY and Bulky. After that, I slowly started the cutting and shaping process. All edges were rounded off (use 3/4" round-offs, not 1/2!) and a friend helped on cutouts with his drill press. The crossovers were tricky, but easy to fix in that I had them in an external enclosure. When assembled, I selected a walnut crotch veneer and went through the pains of wrapping a 4x4 sheet covered in contact cement around a 50 lb speaker...again - not fun...but...FUN!
Staining and sealing was done with tung oil and shellac (9 coats each). I have not waxed hem as of yet...I have some more projects to knock out.
The speakers play in my living room, a 22'x14' room with a 9' to 20' sloping ceiling opening in three places - to the kitchen (open wall) hallway (arch) and second floor (arch). Sadly, the wife will not allow room treatment, but I am planning creative uses for art, furniture, and curtains later.
These speakers fill the entire house with sound, or play crisply in quiet solitude when turned down. If I had to say it in one sentence - I don't lust after the Cremonas anymore. I plan to take them to the local HiFi store to side-by-side test them one day.
Timber: With voices, there are passages in music that can give one goosebumps with its emotion. I have only experienced this a few times with different setups - this speaker included. Instruments sound very accurate and clear with no distortion at any volume I care to listen at. Cymbols are VERY realistic and chimes are super clear with the ribbon tweeter.
Soundstage: Clear outside the speakers' width. Depth is excellent, with passages of choral music or far-off instruments sounding like they are coming from the other side of a concert hall. Reverb and echos are captured beautifully and realisticly. If the refrigerator weren't humming, I would believe I was "there".
Dynamics: Music is felt in the chest on powerful bass passages. These speakers are great for everything, including home theater (tried them in my downstairs treated theater - excellent even in 2-channel surround-sound mode on Return of the King!). No subwoofer needed, but hey - you need to hear that occasional 20Hz note, so what the heck (Rythmik Subwoofer in my future?...)
Extra: Vibebuster 8 spikes. Before adding these spikes, I really loved these speakers. After the spikes, I realized how much vibe was transmitting to the floor and muddying the bass. There is almost no vibe now and the sound is much improved. The tarzan soundtrack is a really good demo for this.
Last - The wife loves them. They look great and she has gotten into listening to all her music over again. I played her favorite broadway and she got choked up...
I hope this review was helpful. Let me know if there are any questions...
-AF
