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And now for something completely different...Econowave Console!

Vaughn

Vaughn

AK Subscriber
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Every once in a while I get a little burned out on the whole audio thing and need to do something different...

I think this might be a first for the Ewave scene, an Econowave console!

After much experimentation I have discovered a console really works best in my living room. In the garage/studio I can get a little crazier:D

This will be the Standard Econowave with 3 Cu ft cabinets. Right now I have the substructure built by joining my two cabinets with 1" angle iron. The console is "largish" at 80" long but only about 13" deep so it hugs the wall a little better than the Motorola console I am currently using. For now (and maybe permanently) the power will be supplied by a Hitachi HA-1100 integrated amplifier.

Next I will be coating the rest of the cabinetry in flat black and installing drivers and crossovers as well as the ports in the front baffle. After that I will begin making panels/grilles that attach magnetically to the steel runners. The facade will by like a set of clothes that can be attached or detached at will. Different finish options could be selected in the future to go with decor. A convertible console!:smoke: I think I am also going to make a couple of light bezels with led strip lights that light the face of the components when the doors are opened.

IMG_2732.jpg
 
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Nice, I like that angle iron attachment with optional facade, brilliant! We have a console in the Living Room, it works out very well for us, functionality is key.

What are you thinking about for the top?
 
I'd love to use Paperstone for the top but it is pretty pricey. I lucked out and found a pair of smaller pieces for some cabs I made a while ago. Paperstone is a super dense compressed paper product used for countertops. The black version looks almost identical to ebony when sanded and rubbed with steel wool and mineral oil.

clangrill.jpg
 
Some headphone enclosures I made with the previously mentioned Paperstone.


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Jeepers man, you're not right in the head!!

That console is weird.

Silly.

Unconventional.



And totally awesome. Of course, it will need tubes to be really nuts.
 
Good idea! How often do you see people build a console? I'll be following this, good luck! :thmbsp:

What's the driver line-up?

az
 
Redboy said:
Jeepers man, you're not right in the head!!

That console is weird.

Silly.

Unconventional.



And totally awesome. Of course, it will need tubes to be really nuts.
Click to expand...

Well, not really unconventional per se... but I haven't seen anyone here build one from scratch:no: I'm definitely using 50's aesthetics so it fits in with the rest of my furniture. I do agree with you on the tube thing though.

I briefly toyed with the idea of making a super minimalist console with a single ended amp built into a copper chassis inset in a rosewood cabinet (rather than inside) with these Hartley 10" full rangers (which I would have to subtly backlight, of course:smoke:). Some cast aluminum legs a la Eames and I think it would be something.

IMG_2726.jpg


Unfortunately I need to do some balancing of the books so the Hartleys have to go.
 
audiozaz said:
Good idea! How often do you see people build a console? I'll be following this, good luck! :thmbsp:

What's the driver line-up?

az
Click to expand...

Thank you sir, the driver lineup will be the Selenium D220ti and Dayton 12" something or other (DC300-8?) used in the Standard Econowave design.

If this turns out well I'd love to build an uber version with high end drivers where the electronics themselves are showcased. I personally love the look of the Altec 511 and 811 horns and would like to make something with them.
 
This will be interesting build since I have a gorgeous Magnavox console that I would like to turn into a more "modern" sounding hi-fi piece of equipment - think networked digital player with a 40" LCD TV sitting on top of it.
 

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Yep, this one is just going to have DVD, Squeezebox and a Roku as sources. No LP, cassette, 8-track, reel to reel, wax cylinder etc:D

I got a little more work done on it, drivers and crossovers installed. I also installed some adjustable shelving strips between the cabinets so I wouldn't have to stack the gear. The Hitachi might not be the best match for these sonically. I think I will have to go with something towards the warm end of the spectrum like a Sansui. I did briefly try my Eico HF-81 with the console. It helped tame the high end a bit but seemed like it was lacking a little control in the bass department. I should probably just get a modern integrated or receiver with remote control since this is mostly about convenience/functionality.

IMG_2734.jpg


The next parts will be fairly slow going as I determine exactly how I want the face to look. My wife and I discussed it and decided we didn't want any fabric but rather wood grilles. I like the elongated aspect of this console and would like to emphasize it by making grilles (and front doors) made up of horizontal slats. I just need to work on the proportions to make sure the grilles don't overly inhibit the sound.

Something along the lines of the center grille on this Motorola I'm currently using, just turned horizontally. I'll probably have a little different sizing on the slats and their spacing. I'm thinking mahogany at the moment but that isn't 100%.

IMG_2293.jpg
 
Vaughn said:
Yep, this one is just going to have DVD, Squeezebox and a Roku as sources. No LP, cassette, 8-track, reel to reel, wax cylinder etc:D

I got a little more work done on it, drivers and crossovers installed. I also installed some adjustable shelving strips between the cabinets so I wouldn't have to stack the gear. The Hitachi might not be the best match for these sonically. I think I will have to go with something towards the warm end of the spectrum like a Sansui. I did briefly try my Eico HF-81 with the console. It helped tame the high end a bit but seemed like it was lacking a little control in the bass department. I should probably just get a modern integrated or receiver with remote control since this is mostly about convenience/functionality.

IMG_2734.jpg


The next parts will be fairly slow going as I determine exactly how I want the face to look. My wife and I discussed it and decided we didn't want any fabric but rather wood grilles. I like the elongated aspect of this console and would like to emphasize it by making grilles (and front doors) made up of horizontal slats. I just need to work on the proportions to make sure the grilles don't overly inhibit the sound.

Something along the lines of the center grille on this Motorola I'm currently using, just turned horizontally. I'll probably have a little different sizing on the slats and their spacing. I'm thinking mahogany at the moment but that isn't 100%.

IMG_2293.jpg
Click to expand...

Really like the style of that older console :thmbsp:
 
That's a gorgeous old console you have. I love it! The new console is coming along nicely, too.

Is the chair a Herman Miller, or Krueger? I have a couple of the Kruegers - I'm sitting in a pop-orange one right now... We use it as an office chair :)
 
That is a beautiful project, one of the cooler things I've seen in a while. You've also given me the idea that a rug like you have, over my tan carpet here, won't look bad like I thought it would. I can't wait to see where this goes!
 
Cool project, a console who would have thought! Jeeze I just started a new project, hell now I got to shitcan it and start over, thanks.
 
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