Apogee Duetta Signature Rebuild

User211 said:

The idea is to get them to look Apogee like in finish - saw some worrying shots of different colours that looked odd and made some attempt to chose an anodised colour close to the final paint colour.

Decided ultimately Apogee were right with their finish. Plus I regard it as a mark of respect to the original designer, and now in the light of Bernard's cheeky non-Apogee remarks, to send him a small poo poo.

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At least it's not doggy doo doo! Speaking of doo doo, did you select brown as the final colour? I think you described it as coffee, while your wife had other choice words for it.

What doggy doo doo typeish colour? Nope, I'm going for something else... but I am keeping schtum for the mo, lest you Paypal me a fee.

Anyway B, surely 'bout time you had a change of speaker, no?

User211 said:

Anyway B, surely 'bout time you had a change of speaker, no?

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Definitely! Send money!

nice.... that looks heavy duty..... I like what appears to be the stainless look.... I have no idea what color you are going with ... but they sure do look nice naked....

They're heavier than expected apparently.... I have some high res close ups I can't post as they show how they mate with the internal aluminium speaker frame and they do need finishing - can't leave them as they are. As I said they'll be satin silverish like the Apogee finish.

We're not messing about making these. It is going to be one extremely solid planar speaker.

Bernard - when Ken's Nigerian money order arrives I'll pass you some on

These are similar to the ones I did for my Duetta Signatures. Mine have an adjustment screw at the back and a half ball foot on the front, so I can adjust the panel angle.

These'll just be spike rake angle adjustable. Works fine on the current Duettas, but the spikes will be more substantial though not that expensive TBH. Found some pretty substantial ones at a good price.

Cut outs for front covers done. Bass ribbon clamps and tuning mechs done. MRT assembly installed.

I have more pics but can't post them. Woodwork will be off to the paint shop soonish. Bass mag assembly and external x-overs still to do.

Looking at the pics I can't show reveals an extremely rigid and substantial assembly. If only Apogee made them like this in the first place But TBH the standard design was and still is capable of excellent results. How much further will this effort take the design? That is going to be interesting.

Justin, are the crossovers going to be active or passive.

Oh my.

What drama.

Looking forward to your impressions.

GG

Bernard said:

Justin, are the crossovers going to be active or passive.

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Justin, I'd hope you go active on this one, really makes a difference.

Guys - just nice, simple passive x-overs.

Gordon - we're talking Apogee here. There has to be some drama. If you knew about some of the stories I have heard...

Justin,

I'm sure you have some good ones.

Hope the effort meets your expectations.

Gordon

JonFo said:

Justin, I'd hope you go active on this one, really makes a difference.

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Hey guys... Could someone speak about the advantages of active vs passive? I know I am missing it but I understand the advantage of changing the crossover points but is there something else here I am missing?

timm said:

Hey guys... Could someone speak about the advantages of active vs passive? I know I am missing it but I understand the advantage of changing the crossover points but is there something else here I am missing?

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Just read this timm: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_crossover

Rejected on the basis of cost, and heat - 8 211s in one room? Nah...:ROFL:

How to align bass panel magnets properly - with a CNC'd template. This one isn't completely cut - needs to be done layer-by-layer.

It is important that this is precise to ensure even field strength. Older Apogees can show some really amazingly poor magnet alignment, that keeps them way off peak performance.

User211 said:

Just read this timm: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_crossover

Rejected on the basis of cost, and heat - 8 211s in one room? Nah...:ROFL:

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Thanks Justin. A very good technical read.

Laquer drying in the paint shop. Need a mop/polish still. Pretty happy with that TBH. Though the colour does look a little different in reality - paint shop lights and grey walls etc. Jon's done a lovely job on the prep and the finish.

Justin,

Stunning.

When are they going to play some music?

Gordon

Hmmm... lemme see, Gordon. Quarter past whenever and a bit more? Or was that half past?:ROFL: