JBL Speaker Project

[gonzomeep]

Great idea. How about a small brass plate on the back of each speaker that says:

Speaker Design by: Duff & Zilch

California, USA 2008​

That would be cool. Snade

Or DZ-2 ZD rolls off the tongue a little better....
"Main Entry: hom·age
Pronunciation: \ˈä-mij, ˈhä-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French homage, omage, from home man, vassal, from Latin homin-, homo human being; akin to Old English guma human being, Latin humus earth — more at humble
Date: 14th century
a: expression of high regard : respect —often used with pay b: something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : tribute <his long life filled with international homages to his unique musical talent — People>"

 

[Duffinator]

I was thinking more along the lines of ZilchLab Design for ZD. After my first visit to ZilchLab I had a bunch of ideas of what I wanted to do. And this from a guy that never once had any inkling to build DIY speakers. ZilchLab is a great place to visit if any of you are ever in Berkeley. If Zilch is in the mood he will demonstrate endless possibilities with mostly JBL product. Zilch got me going down the path to where I ended although I did take a slightly different path than what he initially suggested. My main contribution was the cosmetics to fit in with the Heywood-Wakefield/Eames/vintage look of my room. What I ended up with are a pair of great sounding speakers that mix old and new technology and are truely unique.

 

[westcott]

The original plan was to use 1" baffles but they won't fit. You can't really see if from the photo but there's a recessed lip and only 3/4" will fit. I'm also planning on doing some cross bracing in the cabinets but that will be the last step. I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to do it yet. Battens were also suggested for the sides. These are standard Barzilay kit cabinets and while a nice kit they are not quite up to current speaker cabinet bracing standards.

Spartanmanor, nice work there and I've been following your purchase/project.

You could rabbit the edges to 3/4" and still have the rigidity of a 1" baffle.

I think the finish turned out beautifully. The color matches my Valencias!!!!

Good Luck with the sale. You should have no trouble finding a buyer.

 

[Duffinator]

You could rabbit the edges to 3/4" and still have the rigidity of a 1" baffle.

I think the finish turned out beautifully. The color matches my Valencias!!!!

Now you tell me! If I was doing it again I would use 1". I borrowed a router too but didn't use it much. That's the original finish I only refinished the tops and oiled the cabinets. The grills are different as the original Barzilay's had wood lattice which I still have stored away safely for future use.

 

[wiredbecker]

I just want to chime in to say that these speakers are some of the best I've heard in my life! Thanks for the audition Duff. I'm beginning to think it might be time to let my AR4s go under the knife at the Zilchlab.

 

[saltwater]

G.D., Those are good looking!

 

[Duffinator]

I just want to chime in to say that these speakers are some of the best I've heard in my life! Thanks for the audition Duff. I'm beginning to think it might be time to let my AR4s go under the knife at the Zilchlab.

I'm glad you enjoyed them. I donated a pair of AR4's to Zilchlab for research. The last pair of modified AR4's I heard there sounded pretty amazing but they really can't be called AR4's anymore. :yes:

 

[wiredbecker]

I'm all about the sound man! So I can't claim complete brand allegiance... although I did find a pair of AR2s today at the thrift today and sadly opted to leave them there. Anyone want some AR2s? The joints are tight but have a few edge dings and desperately need refinishing. Didn't have my test kit or would have checked them out.

As always, locals can PM for the location.

 

[phaxda]

First, those speakers look great. My wife wants a pair they look so nice. And I can only imagine how good they sound.

Second, WB, you have PM! Prob gone by now, but worth a check maybe unless someone here got to them already...

 

[wiredbecker]

I went back yesterday and dropped them off at the Zilchlab. We tore into them tonight and plan on posting pics tomorrow. If you're itching to hear unmodified AR2s, I still have a pair I'm hoarding up in the hills.

Who knows though.. if the ZL2s are better than stock, the AR2s might be going the way of the dodo.

 

[Duffinator]

Now they are finished

I got these JBL legs off of some C-36 cabinets my friend will use for his econowave project. Who was the designer of the legs? Anyway I've had them sitting in my garage for several months and finally got them cleaned up and mounted. It's amazing how much better the speakers sound now that they have official JBL legs.

 

[westcott]

Do not mean to hijack your thread Duff but I wanted to show the others my just completed master bedroom system with the Altec Valencias.

His and Her Master Bedroom HT

I tried not to spend too much money on this system. I had most of the components except for the stand, the TV, the subwoofer, the center channel and cables.

The Klipsch RC7 does an admirable job with timbre of the Altecs. I could not think of a better solution.

Thanks in advance for your interest. See the last page for the master bedroom system.

 

[Duffinator]

Very nice. BTW, the HDMI switcher works great in my HT. Thanks for the tip!

 

[westcott]

Very nice. BTW, the HDMI switcher works great in my HT. Thanks for the tip!

Glad it worked for you too! I had to send the one from Monoprice back because it did not!!!

It can be a real aggravation to get HDMI working with ALL your components so you profit from my testing.

 

[Duffinator]

Great work there Duff. May I suggest a model name? ZD-2 Homage

I came up with an official model number a while back.

They are JBL ZD-007. ZD for Zilch/Duffinator and 007 for 2007 or James Bond, take your pick.

 

[skywave-rider]

BOND!
The other legs looked good, but these really are perfect.
Great.

 

[onepixel]

I got these JBL legs off of some C-36 cabinets my friend will use for his econowave project. Who was the designer of the legs? Anyway I've had them sitting in my garage for several months and finally got them cleaned up and mounted. It's amazing how much better the speakers sound now that they have official JBL legs.

Sweeeet! I had missed your new legs. Very nice!

 

[wiredbecker]

Classic turned aluminum styling Duff. Do you have any plans for the old IKEA legs? I'd be interested in trying them on my Econowave bass bin cabs.

Also, are you using an AU-717 as your preamp? The reason I ask is because I just found a 717 in my garage. This particular piece was found for free on big trash day in Emeryville a few years back. I was riding around on my bicycle, saw a pile of gear and had to turn back! Luckily my bike had a basket on the front which I filled to the top with vintage gear. The amp works great. Unfortunately I didn't have space for the original box that I removed it from!

 

[Duffinator]

Classic turned aluminum styling Duff. Do you have any plans for the old IKEA legs? I'd be interested in trying them on my Econowave bass bin cabs.

Also, are you using an AU-717 as your preamp? The reason I ask is because I just found a 717 in my garage. This particular piece was found for free on big trash day in Emeryville a few years back. I was riding around on my bicycle, saw a pile of gear and had to turn back! Luckily my bike had a basket on the front which I filled to the top with vintage gear. The amp works great. Unfortunately I didn't have space for the original box that I removed it from!

The IKEA legs will go on the C-36 cabinets these legs came off of. My friend is going to do an econowave project with them.

I use a Sansui AU-919. The 717 should be just fine. :yes:

 

[Duffinator]

Another day at Zilchlab

Yesterday another member and I made a trip to Zilchlab for assistance on an EWG project. While there I mentioned to Zilch that I'm still thinking of upgrading my LE14A's to the LE14H-3's he recommended to me a year ago. Unfortunately for my wallet he had a pair sitting in boxes right next to the door. Zilch opened the boxes and after looking at them and feeling how heavy they are I had to take them home with me.

OMG would you look at the size of those magnets!