DIY Ring Radiator Cabinets

[HipoFutura]

I'm Not happy with the results. The shape of the enclosure doesn't look right and the finish doesn't match my L100s. I used Linseed oil and turpentine thinking it would be a match. I now wish I had finished them as I did the sub cabinets (stain & urethane). The shape looks goofy - doesn't compliment the L100. If I can come up with a better design I may try again.

I have a pair of 2402H and 2405. To be honest I can't hear a difference between the two. Guess the hearing isn't what it use to be! For this reason I'm using the 2402H radiators as they look more interesting!

Don

[Mike Caldwell]

Hello
Do you have the crossover/highpass filter housed on the enclosure? The build and finish quality of the enclosure look fine but I would say it maybe a little large. I have seen some people that use an external tweeter on a system use just a open external frame to set it on top of the cabinet. Think kinda an L shaped piece of bent aluminum painted flat or semi flat black with some felt or small rubber feet to keep it from scratching the speaker cabinet.

Mike Caldwell

[HipoFutura]

Mike, There is less than an inch between the 2402H and the sides of the enclosure. The radiator has quite a large diameter. I can't make the cabinet any smaller; only larger. I considered making it the same width as the L100, thinking it would look more balanced.

I have the metal "L" brackets that support the tweets. That's what I used prior to building the enclosures. Just felt they looked "unfinished", and wanted to dress things up.

I run a tri-amp (DBX 234XL active crossover) setup so there is no x-over in the cabinet.

I'd like to see what others have designed for this.

Don

[John W]

I like the C41 design.
It would still be a tight fit for a 2402H, but you could get a little extra clearance by removing the magnet cover.

The veneer work would be a little tricky.

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/specs/home-speakers/1960-c41/page1.jpg

[Robh3606]

For a tight cabinet you really want the alnico versions. They are much smaller and an easier fit in tight places.

Rob:)

[loach71]

Hipo - those cabs look great! Very nice joinery. If you want the finish to look more like the mains, I would suggest using Tung Oil with some dark walnut stain in it.

You will need to get the stain loading right - so start with a little stain in the Tung Oil and apply it to the back of the cabinet. Let it dry overnight and observe the results. If it isn't quite dark enough, add a few more drops of the stain to the Tung Oil and repeat. I use extra fine Scotch Brite pads as applicators - they open up the wood again to allow complete penetration of the oil. This process is finicky - and requires a degree of patience. The bonus is that scratches in the oil finish are easy to repair.

hope this helps...

[HipoFutura]

The C41 looks more like what I had in mind. It would work if I use the 2405 radiators.

Tim, thanks for the tip. Tonight I'll mix in some stain and experiment.

Don

[Zilch]

Run the grain horizontal on the face....

[Mr. Widget]

I like the C41 design.
It would still be a tight fit for a 2402H, but you could get a little extra clearance by removing the magnet cover.

The veneer work would be a little tricky.

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/specs/home-speakers/1960-c41/page1.jpgI like it too, but it would be a bit tricky to pull off. Here is a photo that Gary Wolf posted earlier this year.


Widget

[louped garouv]

that is a nice looking little cabinet....

is it actually concave? os is that an optical illusion?

[Mr. Widget]

is it actually concave? That's why it would be a bit tricky to pull off... ;)


Widget

[HipoFutura]

The more I look at the C41 the less I like it. It has too much of an art-deco (50's) look. I don't think it would be too difficult to make the triangulated veneer. With all the wood work I've done I've strived for a contemporary/vintage (retro-modern) look.

What do you think of something like this? Keep in mind my L100s and subs have the blue foam grille.

[Mike Caldwell]

Hello
I did not notice the 2402H the first time as for the needed
size of the cabinet!
I like the look of the C41 enclosure but the compound angles would be tricky, working with the small pieces wood would help make it easier.

Mike Caldwell

[Zilch]

The box needs only to be 4.5" tall. Remove the "tire" and kerf out inside for the magnet clearance.

http://www.jblproservice.com/pdf/Discrete%20Sales%20Models/2402H.pdf

Again, run the grain horizontal. Vertical like you've shown only serves to accentuate the height, contrasting with the horizontal of the L100 top.

Talk to a short woman. She'll know the drill.... ;)

[HipoFutura]

Zilch, you're absolutely right about the grain direction. I rotated the box ninety degrees and it looks better. The overall shape is now similar to the L100 and the grain does look better. However, I'm still not happy with the overall design. When I get time I'll make a new set for the 2405 ratiators. They are significantly smaller. With time I may come up with an appealing design. It needs to compliment the L100.

At this point I have more tweets then ears. also have a set of 035ti. Was going to use them in the L100s but decided the cabinets are far too nice to hack up.

[Rolf]

I would just mount the 2405 in a metal clamp on top, and forget the cabinets and other speakers. But that's me.;)

[macaroonie]

Perhaps a silly suggestion but why do you not bin the fancy box idea fun though it is and have a go at integrating the 2402 ? into the L100. By any stretch of the imagination it is a better unit than the LE25 or its varient. you will then end up with something akin to an L65 a very well thought of speaker.
I'll wager some of the good ol boys on this site have either done it or have thought about it. Nice woodwork though :applaud:

[HipoFutura]

I did consider adding the 2405 to my L100s but decided against it as my L100 cabinets are near flawless. Too nice to hack.

I'm running the ring radiators in a tri-amp configuration which I believe adds to superior sound quality. With the active crossover I can adjust, on the fly, gain and the crossover frequency. Not to mention the ring radiators have a dedicated amp. For this reason If I had added the 2405 to the L100 cabinet I would have had to modify the rear of the cabinet to provide for the second set of speaker wires.

I enjoy building hifi gear as much as I do listening to it. I built a pair for subs (in the previous picture), a pair of tube mono-blocks, and am presently building a 220 WPC channel SS amp for the subs. Future projects are a new SS amp for the ring radiators and a set of cabinets for the 2405s.

Even when things don't turn out as I'd hoped, I still enjoy the project. If I decide to use the 2405 drivers I may sell the 2402H radiators and cabinets.

[Anthony L100]

I'll wager some of the good ol boys on this site have either done it or have thought about it. :applaud:

Not too sure about the "good old boys" but here you go;). These cabs were a bit rough so lent themselves to this mod.