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My ADS 5.1 HT Project

plugto said:
Hey guys the wife nixed my last purchase. I guess hanging full size towers on ceiling or wall way too much for her. I have now decided to just build 4 more smaller boxes like the center channel and go with that. Spice the router took me a few tries, I practiced on some cheap plywood scraps I took home from work and when I was comfortable I attempted the actual MDF. Still screwed up and had to do the face or front twice. Never ever used a plunge router before. I got all the spec sizes of the box, depth height length on Rich's website. I got all the opening demensions from my own empty cabinet while the drivers and crossovers were at Rich's shop. Zunde I first got quotes from several cabinet makers and for the price they wanted and the sound I just had to have to match the other speakers it was well worth the cost of the stock and tools. Now I am going to save when I make my next 4 cabinets for the Atmos set up. Zunde go get a plunge router from a good company, I got a Dewalt. I fried a bit during my practices and I talked to them and they sent me out another for no charge. I was happy with their customer service. I picked up a jig from Jasper tools and watched quite a few videos on You Tube, then just go. I had aggravation no doubt but with every mistake I learned and I am sure you and anyone else can get the job done. There is an advantage to having all the same speakers in multichannel sound, the illusion is better preserved because ours brains and ears are so sensitive to differences we focus and lock onto differences. Different speakers and crossovers no matter how well you try to equalize either graphically or parametricly just never get close enough to be exactly the same from the lowest to the highest octaves. I begged Rich to build me a center and he told me he just didn't have the time. I wonder if he is prohibited to build ADS speakers because of some sort of legal agreement with Direct Electronics. I would love to hear the L1590/3s on his website. I am sure with the D'Appalito array and the extra drivers it is even more refined then the L1590/2s. I want to post a few links for you Zunde.
GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!

Parts express can get you the jig https://www.parts-express.com/jasper-circle-jig-model-240--365-265
I got the metal grill from Rich's blog http://www.reliablehardware.com/customspeakergrill-532diastaggered.aspx
This is the closest match I could find

Just wanted to add one last thing. Before the grandaughter arrived I tore my entertainment center apart and put my center channel under my display. I got the mids and tweeter perfectly in the same plane as the mains. Thats why you can see the cardboard boxes underneath to get the exact height. Once again just an experiment and temporary since the house is a disaster and not finalized. But the improvement in the sound was awesome. Had to share this because sitting in the dead center and closing your eyes, the center image is percievable when too high or too low. Once again the wife was livid and she did get over it after a few weeks LOL.

You better post some pics Zunde when you get to mini heaven and your ears are dripping wet with with that clear ADS center channel sound.
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I wish now, that I had a plunge router to be honest. I just couldn't justify buying another router for this project. Was that router you used large or small? Yeah, heh ... took me twice too, to get my hand steady to do the routing, but I learned to take away all the large material and work my way close to the edge leaving about a 1/16th, then when I removed all the large area, I worked very slowly along the edge. My biggest problem, was working on the Surrounds at a 20 degree angle. I can't tell you how many times I had to stop, clean my safety goggles, change my dust mask. Ahhh, those were the days .......

Sorry to hear your HT project developed some Hiccups, but something tells me your gonna have it your way in the end ... (huge smile). My first system I had smaller speakers. I installed Effects speakers up high on the wall, and had to cut into the wall several places to fish speaker wire to the back of the System. Wife didn't say a word, but I noticed my Barns and Nobles bill getting larger every time I put another hole in the wall. Ceiling is very tall and vaulted, so I couldn't get to the wall from the attic. I'm in the process of removing the covers that covered the holes for the protruding (and now removed) speaker wires, and mounting brackets. Then floating glass shelves for the amps and various other gear, and gathering other ideas for hiding the wires "without" putting holes in the walls. (sheepish grin) I promise I'll post pics, when I get this done. I'm not going anywhere.

Garry~
 
plugto said:
Parts express can get you the jig https://www.parts-express.com/jasper-circle-jig-model-240--365-265
I got the metal grill from Rich's blog http://www.reliablehardware.com/customspeakergrill-532diastaggered.aspx
This is the closest match I could find
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Another shout-out for the Jasper Jig. I'm not sure how anyone who's ever built speaker baffles can live without it. Granted, you don't want to drop the plastic with a heavy router attached, mine has been used for several perfect holes without incident.

Recess_Cutouts.gif
 
GD70 said:
Thanks Garry!
I spoke with a customer service rep and they said a swatch would be sent out the next day, but your offer is much appreciated! I hope it's close! The original ADS grill fabric is fairly robust.
Cheers, Glenn
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Supposed to get my grill cloth fabric today. May get it after I leave for work, but I'll get back with you on how it looks.
 
@Glenn, this stuff is pretty much an exact match. Unbelievable. So pumped to get this done. Thanks for pointing it out to me. Tons of thanks actually.

Garry~
 
Spiceman50 said:
@Glenn, this stuff is pretty much an exact match. Unbelievable. So pumped to get this done. Thanks for pointing it out to me. Tons of thanks actually.

Garry~
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Great news! I cant wait to get my swatch for my own feeble minded confirmation and order mine!
 
@Spiceman50, your use of the @ glenn notified member number 3408 who has not been here since Sept 2004 as opposed to our ever vigilant ADS thread poster/respondent @GD70 but no worries, Glenn member number 136195 got through on this thread. He never met an ADS thread he didn't want to post in, I don't think.

Great to read the grille cloth matches nicely. That cheaper stuff from PE is kinda not really black.
 
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Blue Shadow said:
@Spiceman50, your use of the @ glenn notified member number 3408 who has not been here since Sept 2004 as opposed to our every vigilant ADS thread poster/respondent @GD70 but no worries, Glenn member number 136195 got through on this thread. He never met an ADS thread he didn't want to post in, I don't think.

Great to read the grille cloth matches nicely. That cheaper stuff from PE is kinda not really black.
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By now I guess you noticed I'm an ADS fanboy as Porkloin calls me and others!
 
Blue Shadow said:
@Spiceman50, your use of the @ glenn notified member number 3408 who has not been here since Sept 2004 as opposed to our ever vigilant ADS thread poster/respondent @GD70 but no worries, Glenn member number 136195 got through on this thread. He never met an ADS thread he didn't want to post in, I don't think.

Great to read the grille cloth matches nicely. That cheaper stuff from PE is kinda not really black.
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(Face Plant), Thanks for pointing that out Blue Shadow. I've used the @ a few times with Glenn and of those times used his GD70. I was just in a hurry and wasn't thinking. I know, no harm done but it helps to point it out to me so I take a moment to make sure I get it right in the future. After a few years of ADS RE-discovery, @GD70 was an oasis in a dry desert for any conversation regarding ADS speakers or my project, wife cared less, sons ... it's old stuff, and friends were gracious enough to nod, and smile.

Regarding the cheaper stuff from PE, I read the same thing via Reviews. But didn't see the Mellotone until Glenn pointed it out.

@GD70 it's a little tighter weave, but the black is as close as anything I've had to date. ADS lists the fabric on the L1230 as stretch and the Mellotone is not stretch, but .... should work just fine. I may not have enough to do the Center and both Surrounds only because they take so much fabric due to it's design. It should be enough to cover those L910's, but if you have any doubts lemmy know and I'll give you the exact dimensions of the cloths as they sent it to me.
 
Spiceman50 said:
(Face Plant), Thanks for pointing that out Blue Shadow. I've used the @ a few times with Glenn and of those times used his GD70. I was just in a hurry and wasn't thinking. I know, no harm done but it helps to point it out to me so I take a moment to make sure I get it right in the future. After a few years of ADS RE-discovery, @GD70 was an oasis in a dry desert for any conversation regarding ADS speakers or my project, wife cared less, sons ... it's old stuff, and friends were gracious enough to nod, and smile.

Regarding the cheaper stuff from PE, I read the same thing via Reviews. But didn't see the Mellotone until Glenn pointed it out.

@GD70 it's a little tighter weave, but the black is as close as anything I've had to date. ADS lists the fabric on the L1230 as stretch and the Mellotone is not stretch, but .... should work just fine. I may not have enough to do the Center and both Surrounds only because they take so much fabric due to it's design. It should be enough to cover those L910's, but if you have any doubts lemmy know and I'll give you the exact dimensions of the cloths as they sent it to me.
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Hey Spiceman!

Thanks for the info, and your kind words!
It didn't take long to become an ADS fanboy after I got my 910's.
They blew me away from the early listening sessions with tube power, and as I upped the power with different SS amps, they just kept getting better.
Glad I was an oasis for you! AK is like that for most of us like minded audio heads. My wife has been a great supporter along the way, and appreciates the effort I put in on my various projects.

I saw some fabric on fleabay last year that looked very close to the original weave. bit it's difficult to tell from a couple photos.
Anyway, I hope my swatch comes soon. Could you take a closeup pic of the PE cloth next to the original cloth?

Cheers, Glenn
 
GD70 said:
Hey Spiceman!

Thanks for the info, and your kind words!
It didn't take long to become an ADS fanboy after I got my 910's.
They blew me away from the early listening sessions with tube power, and as I upped the power with different SS amps, they just kept getting better.
Glad I was an oasis for you! AK is like that for most of us like minded audio heads. My wife has been a great supporter along the way, and appreciates the effort I put in on my various projects.

I saw some fabric on fleabay last year that looked very close to the original weave. bit it's difficult to tell from a couple photos.
Anyway, I hope my swatch comes soon. Could you take a closeup pic of the PE cloth next to the original cloth?

Cheers, Glenn
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I became a Fanboy listening to a pair of 1230's belonging to @Squirrely. He had them hooked up to a Dynaco tube amp and an AR preamp. They were buttery beyond words. @Nerdorama is pumping his 910's with some pretty flashy tube gear, and although I've deemed his 910's sticky dome midrange my favorite of the ADS drivers, it could very well be his tubes that caught my ear.
 
Porkloin said:
I became a Fanboy listening to a pair of 1230's belonging to @Squirrely. He had them hooked up to a Dynaco tube amp and an AR preamp. They were buttery beyond words. @Nerdorama is pumping his 910's with some pretty flashy tube gear, and although I've deemed his 910's sticky dome midrange my favorite of the ADS drivers, it could very well be his tubes that caught my ear.
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I loved the tube sound with mine, but not the low power. This is where I need to try bi-amping at some point in my life with the Scott on the upper end, the JVC pumping the low end.
 
Guys a really great, not kidding. Thank you both, and all. I'd love to do a tube, and am on the lookout for a used one locally to help give me some inspiration and direction. @Porkloin When I went to pick up my Yamaha 3070 I was eyeballing the McIntosh 275 in all it's glory. Told my wife I'm thinking seriously about that amp ... she said ho ho that's gonna cost you!!! . We've had a tit for tat relationship for 38 years, and I know that Ho Ho! laughing. After leaving the store she turned to me in the car and said she wanted to look at stone counter tops. I sat in my seat and smiled quietly.

When I was shopping for parts for the Center, I missed an opportunity to buy some L1230 crossovers for cheap. Think they sold for like $50.00. This is one of the reasons I had no difficulty knowing the direction I needed to go when using the L810 parts because I can use the 810 or 1230 crossover. It's been my intention at some point to bi-amp the 1230's, but as I mentioned previously, I'm concerned about the heat build up. And so that it gets said, I've been on the lookout locally for a set of 910's. I'd LOVE to own a pair of those. Sight unseen, I'd rush to get them ... well unless the owner has read these forums and decides they are worth a fortune. Can you bi-amp the 910's @GD70?

Pics .. sure I can. Although the pics don't do the fabric justice, don't be too concerned. It's as close as I've ever found. It may also appear due to the close up that the fabric is really thick, but it's not that bad and drapes nicely. Came pretty linty too .. hm.. nothing a vacuum won't fix. There is also just a slight color variation due to age related fade on the L1230 ... I included a comparison. It's not bad at all, but you can see. The PE fabric is a very nice rich black. PE's fabric is has the cut edge.
 
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grill cloth.jpg side by side.jpg

Your looking at it on a micro level, but in person it's not that drastic. I think you'll be more then satisfied Glenn. Second photo is the PE fabric and is on the bottom, 1230 on the top of the comparison photo. First photo is the PE.
 
Spiceman50 said:
View attachment 982662 View attachment 982663

Your looking at it on a micro level, but in person it's not that drastic. I think you'll be more then satisfied Glenn. Second photo is the PE fabric and is on the bottom, 1230 on the top of the comparison photo. First photo is the PE.
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Thanks for the pics spice!
The PE fabric looks pretty good.
The 910's can be bi & tri-amped! Two separate cards plug into a slot in the crossovers. Only thing besides multiple amps is an external crossover is needed as the cards bypass the crossover.
I'm sure if you find a set of 910's you would be very happy with these beasts!

If you want a taste of what the 910's sound like, check out the video thread I started a couple days ago. Especially the 2nd video.
Glenn
 
GD70 said:
Thanks for the pics spice!
The PE fabric looks pretty good.
The 910's can be bi & tri-amped! Two separate cards plug into a slot in the crossovers. Only thing besides multiple amps is an external crossover is needed as the cards bypass the crossover.
I'm sure if you find a set of 910's you would be very happy with these beasts!

If you want a taste of what the 910's sound like, check out the video thread I started a couple days ago. Especially the 2nd video.
Glenn
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I'd love to see that Glenn. Would you mind linking that for me? I'm working 15 hour days this past 2 weeks and am having a hard time keeping up.

Garry~
 
Spiceman50 said:
Thank you so much for doing that Glenn, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that thread. As mentioned in that forum, those L910's just leave me speechless. I'm so hungry for a pair of them now. Do you have the Grill Frames or are you going to have to build them?
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I have the frames with original fabric. I often pull them off when doing critical listening or for the occasional video. The original mids and tweeters are Richard So rebuilds.
 
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