Convert Floor Standing Speakers to Bookshelf Speakers

[Sheepdisease]

I have a pair of Mission 773 floor standing speakers. They sound great, but the finish (black wood effect vinyl) has started to peel off, it is possible the previous owner let them get slightly damp or the material has over time become too tight and come off on its own. I think it's called Sheffield Oak Umbra Vinyl Fablon.

I am thinking of rehousing them in a smaller enclosure so that I can fit them on shelves. My question is, if I maintained the distances between the different speakers in the new enclosure, will a new enclosure be detrimental to the sound? I would like to go for a black wood finish, which shows the natural wooden texture. What wood should I use and what thickness? What do I do about feet?

How about something like Oak Crown Cut Plywood MR Veneered 1 Side Only ?

 

[noogies]

Welcome to the site!

There have been volumes written and theses published on the subject of speaker enclosure design and dynamics. There's far more involved than the orientation of the drivers in relation to each other. The answer to your main question is: possibly, if not probably. I'd be more inclined to get speakers of the size required, but if you feel like doing it as an experiment and are willing to risk the speakers, then knock yourself out.

 

[Sheepdisease]

Thanks for your reply. I am prepared to do it, I just need to make sure that it's worthwhile so if it is likely to be a good outcome, I maximise my chances by doing all the right things in terms of design and materials etc.

 

[bhunter]

I have a pair of Mission 773 floor standing speakers. They sound great, but the finish (black wood effect vinyl) has started to peel off, it is possible the previous owner let them get slightly damp or the material has over time become too tight and come off on its own. I think it's called Sheffield Oak Umbra Vinyl Fablon.

I am thinking of rehousing them in a smaller enclosure so that I can fit them on shelves. My question is, if I maintained the distances between the different speakers in the new enclosure, will a new enclosure be detrimental to the sound? I would like to go for a black wood finish, which shows the natural wooden texture. What wood should I use and what thickness? What do I do about feet?

How about something like Oak Crown Cut Plywood MR Veneered 1 Side Only ?

The likely outcome is that they will not sound good. Unless you are familiar with the design of loudspeakers—your question indicates that you're not—you ought not undertake such a project. A better solution is to sell the Missions and purchase an appropriate bookshelf speaker. I'd keep the Missions and fix the finish.

 

[noogies]

Thanks for your reply. I am prepared to do it, I just need to make sure that it's worthwhile so if it is likely to be a good outcome, I maximise my chances by doing all the right things in terms of design and materials etc.

Yeah, but see, the outcome is not likely to be good and you're likely to end up trashing a perfectly good set of speakers. That was the point I was trying to make.

 

[Mitkraft]

What everybody is trying to say but not so concisely is that the enclosure size and sonic characteristics is integral to the speaker design. You can't haphazardly change it and expect good results.

 

[Alobar]

Enclosures are tuned and thus part of the design as a whole. It is akin to removing the strings of a Stradivarius and modifying its shape somehow. The results wouldn't sound okay in all likelihood unless you know your craft.

 

[Sheepdisease]

Thank you for your replies. Has anyone got experience fixing finishes like the one on these speakers?

 

[GSS61]

Thank you for your replies. Has anyone got experience fixing finishes like the one on these speakers?

How badly are they peeling? Do they just look a bit ratty, but the cabinets themselves are still solid? Or are they falling apart?

I bought some used Paradigm 7se speakers years ago that were a little beat up but sound great - they are still in my HT setup today

Some of the black vinyl finish is peeling a bit and they definitely look their age, but they still work fine and I enjoy listening to them

I probably wouldn't go through the trouble, time and expense of refinishing mine since they are used in a family room with kids, dogs, etc.

If I ever wanted something that is cosmetically nicer, I'd likely just buy something that looked better rather than dress up the Paradigms I have

I concur with the others regarding transferring your drivers to a smaller cabinet - that's unlikely to sound very good