Modded Mach 1 Project Completed (MACH 4 RHINO's)

[braxus]

Steve,

What were the measurements of the rectangular holes you cut in the front baffle for the midrange horns, and the tweeters with L Pads? How far apart in height did you put everything (speaker bottom to woofer bottom, woofer top to tweeter L pads, tweeter to midrange horns, midrange to speaker top)? Maybe if you drew a quick sketch of all the dimensions from the front, it might help me get my box figured out.

One side note- with the enlarged box, is it possible to center up the tweeters with the L pads close to the side of the speaker side? I would wonder why RadioShack didn't center these up to begin with. I suppose if one made a custom L pad plate, and put the tweeter in the center, with the L pads on opposing sides- this would work.

 

[RickeyM]

I have not heard any chatter about the box on box type build, don't give me any new ideas PLEASE! :nono:

Sorry 'bout that The box on box would be more suited to the Mach-Two with it's cone mid tho'

 

[Copa1934]

Both of you, especially you Copa, are responsible for my owning a pair of Mach I, Mach II, Optimus 5b and tomorrow I pick up a pair of T 120. I've been following since the beginning. Way back when this started I picked up a pair of Mach I and never got a chance to get back to them. This post has got my juices flowing again. The thing about this mod is it's all labor. Just some mdf and some foam and some crossover parts. The pics that have been supplied make it that more easier. You guys have done all the work, and VL did all the science. All I have to do is follow instructions with pictures. RS Steve your plates look great and your speakers look fantastic.

Thanks all

I've been using Dayton caps for a long time and find they start breaking in fast but need at least 24 hours to really start sounding best.

Great job.

RSsteve makes those plates available, just contact him offline. I have a pair, they are excellent!

 

[Copa1934]

Nice work on the Mach 4 Rhino's there. As soon as time & weather permit, I'd like to get started on some bigger cabs for my Mach Two's. I've got the driver compliment and crossover nailed down so all that's needed is room for the woofers to breath. I'd like to keep with the walnut veneer finish on mine tho'. I'm thinking a rename on mine to MACH 2.2 :thmbsp:

I may have to locate the post, but you don't want to go to 4cuft with the mach two, that is if you want to keep the port. I'll try to find my T/S info. There is a post already going for the Mach Two that also has my T/S info posted, which you can use to determine box dimensions. They were very close to the Mach One, but again, the Mach One is based on a sealed box, which needs to be larger.

 

[RickeyM]

In experimenting with plugging the ports on my 'Two's, I like 'em better that way. They're definitely going to be sealed & stuffed.

 

[RS Steve]

Steve,

What were the measurements of the rectangular holes you cut in the front baffle for the midrange horns, and the tweeters with L Pads? How far apart in height did you put everything (speaker bottom to woofer bottom, woofer top to tweeter L pads, tweeter to midrange horns, midrange to speaker top)? Maybe if you drew a quick sketch of all the dimensions from the front, it might help me get my box figured out.

One side note- with the enlarged box, is it possible to center up the tweeters with the L pads close to the side of the speaker side? I would wonder why RadioShack didn't center these up to begin with. I suppose if one made a custom L pad plate, and put the tweeter in the center, with the L pads on opposing sides- this would work.

I drew another sketch for you. I had played with the idea of centering the tweeter but since it would of taken a new L-pad plate, or more mods I decided against it.

 

[RS Steve]

I have been playing the Rhino's 4's every evening, and have noticed that they have smoothed out even more. The bass can be felt through everything including my body, if you think they were party speakers before you better hold on to your dinner. A full tummy takes a beating when they get cranked above 1/2 volume. I'm sure enjoying the rewards of all the hard work, not sure the neighbors like it though.

 

[Copa1934]

I have been playing the Rhino's 4's every evening, and have noticed that they have smoothed out even more. The bass can be felt through everything including my body, if you think they were party speakers before you better hold on to your dinner. A full tummy takes a beating when they get cranked above 1/2 volume. I'm sure enjoying the rewards of all the hard work, not sure the neighbors like it though.

LOL. Awesome!

 

[RS Steve]

I have been trying to get my 4's lined up so I could do a side by side comparison with the regular cabinet VL modded 1's. I was able to do so since a local guy purchased my 4024A modded 1's which gave me the space to put the 4's.

I find the 4's to be much punchier in the bass department, the extra sound deadning, and insulation probably helps also. Having the drivers higher really makes for a more balanced sound, and they really seem to sound better at every listening level. So far.... nothing but positives! :thmbsp:

 

[Copa1934]

Two big thumbs up....

I have been trying to get my 4's lined up so I could do a side by side comparison with the regular cabinet VL modded 1's. I was able to do so since a local guy purchased my 4024A modded 1's which gave me the space to put the 4's.

I find the 4's to be much punchier in the bass department, the extra sound deadning, and insulation probably helps also. Having the drivers higher really makes for a more balanced sound, and they really seem to sound better at every listening level. So far.... nothing but positives! :thmbsp:

Coolness. Not until you see them side by side do you realize just how big your 4's are. Wow! Weather is improving out here. Many nice clear days, but still cool and windy. Needs to be a tad warmer before I can begin work in the garage. I really need to unload some speakers, one for space and two for some needed audio related funding.

What types of music you listening to? Do the 4's perform better with any specific type of music or particular artists?

 

[RS Steve]

Coolness. Not until you see them side by side do you realize just how big your 4's are. Wow! Weather is improving out here. Many nice clear days, but still cool and windy. Needs to be a tad warmer before I can begin work in the garage. I really need to unload some speakers, one for space and two for some needed audio related funding.

What types of music you listening to? Do the 4's perform better with any specific type of music or particular artists?

I'm pretty much a classic rock person, my bands of choice for testing are usually Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, or the Allman Brothers Band.

The Dire Straits greatist hits collection is a very good recording, it might make junk speakers sound ok.

Sounds like your chomping at the bit to get going on your projects, hope it warms up enough for you.

 

[Copa1934]

I'm pretty much a classic rock person, my bands of choice for testing are usually Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, or the Allman Brothers Band.

The Dire Straits greatist hits collection is a very good recording, it might make junk speakers sound ok.

Sounds like your chomping at the bit to get going on your projects, hope it warms up enough for you.

Hmmm, chomping at the bit, might be an understatement.

I'm an advanced hobbyist woodworker. Good enough to build quality cabinets and such, smart enough not to make a living at it and spoil the fun. Do it only went it suits my fancy. Just need to build a heated shop so I can play year round.

I've really enjoyed your posts. A few people have taken VL's ideas to the next level and discovered there is always room for improvement. Good stuff!

 

[RS Steve]

Hmmm, chomping at the bit, might be an understatement.

I'm an advanced hobbyist woodworker. Good enough to build quality cabinets and such, smart enough not to make a living at it and spoil the fun. Do it only went it suits my fancy. Just need to build a heated shop so I can play year round.

I've really enjoyed your posts. A few people have taken VL's ideas to the next level and discovered there is always room for improvement. Good stuff!

It was very rewarding to have someone come by and listen to all my speakers, then choose to buy the modded Mach 1's over all the others.
Hated to see them go but I do have a few pairs.

I now have a HPM-100 restore to do since I took some in trade. But thats another thread. :scratch2:

 

[Copa1934]

It was very rewarding to have someone come by and listen to all my speakers, then choose to buy the modded Mach 1's over all the others.
Hated to see them go but I do have a few pairs.

I now have a HPM-100 restore to do since I took some in trade. But thats another thread. :scratch2:

Look forward to that as I have 100's as well. Have the 100w set, but haven't read anything stating for a fact they sound any different from the 200w set. I recapped and replaced a mid and tweeter, both were marginally functional. I'm using them as mains in my surround system paired with 40's for rears and RS Linaeum center. Been very happy. Enjoy this better than the Mach One, or Two configurations I've had. However, I haven't brought the VL modded One's down to hear how they compare. I hate carrying those things down stairs, and hate the idea of having to carry either the 100's or the One's back upstairs.

 

[RS Steve]

Look forward to that as I have 100's as well. Have the 100w set, but haven't read anything stating for a fact they sound any different from the 200w set. I recapped and replaced a mid and tweeter, both were marginally functional. I'm using them as mains in my surround system paired with 40's for rears and RS Linaeum center. Been very happy. Enjoy this better than the Mach One, or Two configurations I've had. However, I haven't brought the VL modded One's down to hear how they compare. I hate carrying those things down stairs, and hate the idea of having to carry either the 100's or the One's back upstairs.

I'm not a fan of them, my step mom has had a pair since I was 16, my Mach's always seemed to do better. She wanted to trade years ago but that wasn't happening. These that I picked up are 200 watt versions, the mach 4's simply blow them away right now. We will see if I can make them shine for a future comparison.

 

[Copa1934]

Midrange option???

Got the PE email today and curiosity got the better of me. Clicked on the link to this driver http://www.parts-express.com/pe/sho...&utm_content=260-097&utm_campaign=email022113 and got to thinking "hey, with so many people having blown or poorly functioning midrange drivers what if???"

The specs, to me, would be closer to what VL had been suggesting, could probably be adapted to the Mach One horn AND the network could be adjusted for the lower crossover point.

The price ain't bad either!

Thoughts?

 

[Copa1934]

Got the PE email today and curiosity got the better of me. Clicked on the link to this driver http://www.parts-express.com/pe/sho...&utm_content=260-097&utm_campaign=email022113 and got to thinking "hey, with so many people having blown or poorly functioning midrange drivers what if???"

The specs, to me, would be closer to what VL had been suggesting, could probably be adapted to the Mach One horn AND the network could be adjusted for the lower crossover point.

The price ain't bad either!

Thoughts?

Oops, guess I should have read more of the reviews. Oh well.

 

[RS Steve]

I have the Mach 4 Rhino's side by side with the restored HPM 100's, the Mach's are just killing them all the way around! The funny thing is, the HPM 100's sound good.
The bass is just soooo strong and punchy on the Mach 4's, they are the loudest speaker I have at the moment. I'm really enjoying the great all around performance, the work I did on the mid with sound proofing the plastic lense helped alot to smooth them out. Getting the cabinet size correct gives it the bass that a 15 incher should have.

 

[Copa1934]

I have the Mach 4 Rhino's side by side with the restored HPM 100's, the Mach's are just killing them all the way around! The funny thing is, the HPM 100's sound good.
The bass is just soooo strong and punchy on the Mach 4's, they are the loudest speaker I have at the moment. I'm really enjoying the great all around performance, the work I did on the mid with sound proofing the plastic lense helped alot to smooth them out. Getting the cabinet size correct gives it the bass that a 15 incher should have.

Wow, so look forward to my similar project, mainly new larger cabinets. I'll have to report my findings as well, but I can't say I'm totally surprised. I really like my HPM-100 speakers, but I love the "tight" sound of the Machs. Sadly the Machs, pre VL mods, just weren't holding up. Maybe I should drag them down from the mancave and test them along side the 100's.

So glad to hear everything is working for the better. Always nice to hear these DIY projects working well, and even more impressive is using RS drivers. So much for the nay sayers. eh?

 

[RS Steve]

Wow, so look forward to my similar project, mainly new larger cabinets. I'll have to report my findings as well, but I can't say I'm totally surprised. I really like my HPM-100 speakers, but I love the "tight" sound of the Machs. Sadly the Machs, pre VL mods, just weren't holding up. Maybe I should drag them down from the mancave and test them along side the 100's.

So glad to hear everything is working for the better. Always nice to hear these DIY projects working well, and even more impressive is using RS drivers. So much for the nay sayers. eh?

I was really surprised how much better they sound than the regular cabinet modded Mach 1's, getting the woofer up 6" and having the horn higher really gives it a better, smoother blend of the drivers. The bass just really became much more accurate sounding, it seems the woofer is much happier thus it probably carries the mid frequency a little better also.