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1801b Kit
Discontinued
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Measured
and matched drivers - The tweeters are matched at the factory. I match
the woofers.
- Cabinet plans: The
1801 cabinet plans may be downloaded by using "right click" and "save as"
here. The cabinet is relatively
simple, but some understanding of this task might be helpful for those
experiencing trepidation about sawdust
making procedures.
-
14ga Goertz Foil
inductors
- Small gauge air core
inductors in parallel where higher dc resistance is needed
-
Mills
wire wound resistors - Choose your
values
-
SonicCap Capacitors - Subjective
comments,
- Schematic:
Surprisingly, it isn't terribly complicated.
- Internal cable: I
performed many experiments with internal cable in the 1801s. After many
experiments I have settled on Goertz 20ga 1:14 flat magnet wire behind the
tweeter and 14ga Teflon coated, silver plated copper behind the woofer. In
2007 I discovered that Vampire Continuous Cast Copper is marginally superior,
but also more expensive. This wire is offered as an option below.
-
Bi-wire 3-way binding
posts rethreaded for brass nuts.
- Port tubes:
Double flared port tubes from Precision Sound
Products
- Driver gaskets:
I occasionally use gasket material. If the driver flange recess
is flat, then it's unnecessary.
- Mounting screws:
Black #10 pan head screws for the woofer and black #8 flat head screws for the
tweeter
- Good solder:
Cardas Quad Eutectic solder from Soniccraft
- Stuffing Material:
Foam stuffing for the cabinet walls and polyester batting for behind the woofer.
- Unlimited technical
support: Many folks are very afraid of building speakers. It is time
consuming, but not difficult. I expect and welcome questions during the
construction process.
- Not included:
Wood, and all cabinet related materials
- Option + $175:
.1uf Sonicap Platinum
bypass capacitors (6). Eventually I will overcome my personal dilemma
regarding the cost of these capacitors, but I use them in my personal speakers
and fully affirm the benefits they provide. The impact is immediate and
obvious.
Commentary
- Option + $75:
Crossover Assembly. Subjectively, I charge a premium for this because it's
tedious work and I truly believe the layperson can be successful in this
endeavor. The crossover is surprisingly simple and there are many
illustrations in the crossover plans.
- Option + $30:
Dave's stuffing brew. After years of listening to the 1801s, this is
the combination of Black Hole 5, acoustic foam, and polyester batting I prefer. This option adds 2lbs to the 1801 kit and slightly
raises the shipping cost. Subjectively, I would like to convey that the
the impact of the Black Hole 5 is very modest due to the already very solid 1801
cabinet. As such, the standard foam & poly batting delivered with the 1801
kit is already sufficient for 90% of folks.
- Option + $15: Vampire Continuous Cast Copper internal cable
- 14ga
for the woofer and 18ga for the tweeter. I find this wire extremely good,
and prefer it over any of the cable I have used/tested. It's very clean, presents excellent dynamics,
and has no grit/grunge. Subjectively, I believe this is a wise option for
anyone with better source gear that is willing to purchase better external
speaker wire too. Unfortunately, my supply is extremely low, and Vampire
has discontinued the wire. If you wish to purchase more Vampire CCC for
your speakers, it appears that Michael Percy
has a residual supply.
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