I made some changes and more are on the way. I re-configured the compression drivers to get a better integration. It worked. I am slowly upgrading the parts in the crossovers. I put it some Jantzen 8awg copper foil in oil inductors for the mid and high frequency drivers. Soon, I will solder in some Mundorf VN-300 inductors for the low frequency. I will be upgrading the capacitors to Duelund Cast tinned copper ones. These speakers really respond to component changes. Going to the Jantzen inductors was like the system dropping acid. It was awesome. Can't wait to hear what 50lbs of iron core vacuum impregnated copper wound air core inductors brings to the party.
Thank you for saying that, cymbop. If weren't for the passion of the community and the deep knowledge within it and the desire to help, I would have never been able to achieve or acquire this level of audio reproduction.
Here's a link to the construction guide that I used for the Onkens. http://www.planet10-hifi.com/downloads/Hiraga-Onkens-English.pdf
I used 1" marine grade plywood. I selected it with a recording engineer. We tapped on it like a luthier listening for any anomalous resonances. We constructed them as close as we could to the plan.
Thanks for the detailed reply. The construction looks good. I have no experience with listening to these type larger high efficiency speakers. I am certainly curious, but over hear in Canada I don't know anyone or any place where I could hear something like what you have.
As for the construction choice of materials for the cabinets, it looks like a type of particle board, was that your choice? Or part of the Hiraga design.
I've heard a few of Jeff's Cessaro's over the years at shows, but like most shows they are never truly optimized. But the first time I heard one I was very impressed and Ralph from Cessaro is so cool and down to earth.
I have a Horning Eufrodite and like it, but there is something very appealing about large drivers making music if you have the room to accommodate.
Hello pcosta. Glad you asked. I built these speakers during quarantine because I had a lot of time on my hands. I was fascinated by Cessaro speakers. But I'll never be in the market for speakers that cost that much. I'd been reading about TAD drivers and their history. I would read the forums and ask some questions, just trying to learn from people way more knowledgeable than me. Even though I have the the biggest Horning speakers, I was still missing - for me - a bigger, more energetic and more effortless sound. I guess you could say I was trying to figure out how to build a poor-er man's Cessaro. Through my research I kept finding my way back to Altec. Through that journey I discovered the Onken cabinets and building instructions provided by Jean Hiraga. I decided to have a local woodworker help build them, pretty much to exact specifications. I mounted 416-8b woofers made by Great Plains Audio to the cabs. As for the midrange, I went with 288-8H compression drivers made by GPA, mounted to a 15 cell wooden horn made by Klughoerner. And for the high frequencies, I decided on TAD 2001 compression drivers mounted to a 15 cell high frequency horn. The first crossover I tried was a Hiraga designed one. I'm now using a series crossover as distinct from a parallel one. I prefer the series. I'm going build that one out with super premium Jantzen air core inductors and Duelund CAST caps. Beyond the fun and satisfaction of doing something yourself and beyond the critical listening required to get a three way seamlessly balanced from top to bottom, there is something about the sound of these speakers that FEELS right to me. I'm not exactly sure where that feeling comes from or where it resides but these speakers live there too.
I see you're no longer using the big Hornings. Can you provide any more details on your new speaker. Long time user of Tron and TW and High Water Sound customer and friend.
You're probably already aware, but one of the guys from sunn, Stephen O'Malley, runs a sort of boutique label through Editions Mego called Ideologic Organ. Real weird, out, dark stuff, mostly. I love it. Anyways the records all have this phrase printed on the back: "For best results use HiFi cartridges only." Nice nod to our hobby, no? I always thought it meant just made try something other than a budget Shure but who knows, maybe he's way into like Koetsu or something.
In hindsight, I'd use IsoAcoustics. The Fabreeka are fine. They leak air, like a tire tube, which means eternal vigilance, which is a pain the ass. But they work. They support a turntable that weighs 150 lbs. They are some of the least expensive vibration control devices, can't remember what I paid for them.
Thank you for the comments. I really appreciate it. When I first posted the system, I got nothing but radio silence. So it was really nice to come back and see your appreciation. I was really curious if there are any "audiophile-shaped" listeners of the metal arts. I'm happy to find y'all. Pun intended, but "I get a peaceful easy feeling" when listening to Sunn O))) on my system. It's an epic black hole experience. What led me to this system is Jeffrey Catalano of High Water Sound. I used to live in NYC, and I would visit him almost weekly on my way home from work. He possesses the most impressive vinyl collection. We would listen to music for hours. It's the way music sounds through the choices he makes that led me to what I have.
Agreed this is an incredible system and those Sun0))) and Sleep references make me want to hear that system even more. The amount of low frequency drivers with that content will be amazing. thanks for sharing.
How has nobody commented on this yet??? And how did I miss it until now?! This system is amazing!! I would love to hear (and feel) the sound it produces. Those speakers are super intriguing, the specs the mnfr list are quite impressive. Curious what you compared them to and what you had prior/what lead you to them. I have 95db efficient Mission towers and I often dream of pairing them with some lower-watt amps.
I also like your title pun and taste in music. I can't say I expect to see Sunn references and Sleep records when cruising Audiogon. And as someone with a TV between his speakers, I really appreciate the lack of distractions within your soundstage. Again, well done all around!
