Fusion 12 Tempest + SEOS 12 build. Not your typical finish

turbosc297 · Feb 4, 2013

Hey everyone, I'm mostly a lurker. I rarely post, and don't think I have in over a year...

I initially wanted to purchase 5 SHO-10s from CHT last summer. Glad I didn't (although I'm sure their product is great!), because I found DIY sound group.

At first I was hesitant of a 12" midrange, but the specs of the Tempest looked to be exactly what I wanted. So I ordered 2 kits from Erich. My main goals are something clean sounding, 97-99db efficiency, 2-way, and a compression driver. This will be my first pair of speakers with a waveguide/compression driver, so I'm SUPER excited.

My previous setup was 4 Definitive BP6s, and a CLR 2500 with an Epik Empire for the low stuff. Hoping these will sound great enough to make me want to build 3 more.

They arrived a couple weeks later, the packaging was better than anything I'd previously seen! Great job Erich. The boxes were packed neatly, styrofoam was cut to fill voids, along with bubble wrap and paper stuffing. ROCK SOLID.

My plan is to finish the boxes using Birch ply, all mitre joints with a dado and dowel bracing. Then finish the box in a deep cherry/champagne stain with varnish. For Erich's baffles, I intend to finish them in a rich cream color with a heavy gloss coating for a "piano" finish. Hoping it looks nice/classy with the contrasting black drivers and ports... We'll see

I'm going to try and upload some pics of the progress so far

turbosc297 · Feb 4, 2013

Dry fit of a couple of panels and the dado brace between the waveguide and woofer

Erich's baffle with coats of oil based primer. Sitting for 4 days before sanding...

Baffle with paint. Waiting 7 days before sanding and possibly recoating before glaze coats

turbosc297 · Feb 4, 2013

My first time assembling crossovers (or speakers for that matter), so I'm a little nervous with the layout.

If anyone sees any issues, please chime in?

Let me know what you think!

Jason

bhazard · Feb 4, 2013

That is going to look really, really good when finished.

cheezit73 · Mar 6, 2013

Any update on this? I started my build and was going to make window "circle" braces like yours until I failed! Cant wait to see how the finish turns out!

bdemarco · Mar 27, 2013

Would love to see the finish!

BeerParty · Mar 27, 2013

Quote:
Originally Posted by turbosc297 /t/1456329/fusion-12-tempest-seos-12-build-not-your-typical-finish/0_50#post_22922365

My first time assembling crossovers (or speakers for that matter), so I'm a little nervous with the layout.

If anyone sees any issues, please chime in?

The layout looks fine, but did you solder the connections? From the photo it looks like you just used hot glue, which I don't think will work.

Also, I would suggest labeling the connections on the board. It is easy to figure out which are which now, but when you are installing them in the cabinets you don't want to accidentally hook the compression driver to the woofer output and vice-versa.

Mrkazador · Mar 27, 2013

In the other photos you can see the solder.

pbc · Mar 28, 2013

Subscribing. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Have been eyeing the SEOS speakers for a while, but the "square box with Duratex" just wouldn't cut it in a non-dedicated HT.

Would love to start seeing some "more refined" designs/finishes.

Martycool007 · Mar 28, 2013

I am highly looking forward to seeing how these turn out! I absolutely hate when people use that Duratex stuff because it just looks so dull. I guess that would be ok for people who just leave them behind the screen, but for the rest of us that use them in our living rooms, dens or man caves, I would prefer a nice stain or perhaps a really nice paint job.

Thrillho · Jun 24, 2013

Any update on how these turned out?

Mike Garrett · Jun 25, 2013

Quote:
Originally Posted by pbc /t/1456329/fusion-12-tempest-seos-12-build-not-your-typical-finish#post_23135383

Subscribing. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Have been eyeing the SEOS speakers for a while, but the "square box with Duratex" just wouldn't cut it in a non-dedicated HT.

Would love to start seeing some "more refined" designs/finishes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 /t/1456329/fusion-12-tempest-seos-12-build-not-your-typical-finish#post_23135440

I am highly looking forward to seeing how these turn out! I absolutely hate when people use that Duratex stuff because it just looks so dull. I guess that would be ok for people who just leave them behind the screen, but for the rest of us that use them in our living rooms, dens or man caves, I would prefer a nice stain or perhaps a really nice paint job.

The finish can be what ever you want it to be. You just have to be willing to put in the time and effort to get the finish you want.

Mfusick · Jun 28, 2013

Progress pics

turbosc297 · Jul 6, 2013

They're done! Took a lot longer than expected due to some other non-project related delays...

Crappy pics but I think you'll get the idea. They sound great!

turbosc297 · Jul 6, 2013

Mrkazador · Jul 6, 2013

Fancy!

Stumbo · Jul 6, 2013

Cool build, they look awesome!

Martycool007 · Jul 7, 2013

Wow, impressive!

Did you use a veneer? What kind of stain did you use and do you plan on leaving the baffles white? They look great!

turbosc297 · Jul 9, 2013

Thanks guys, I'm super happy with the way they turned out.

Its plywood with a birch veneer, basic deep wine colored stain from menards with 2 coats of poly over it. The baffles are actually a creme color, so not quite white

Martycool007 · Jul 9, 2013

The more I look at those pictures, the more I like the look of those bad boys!

What type of Birch veneer did you use? Was it the kind that came in a roll?

Also, how did you apply the veneer?

zeekcy · Dec 25, 2013

Am building Fusion 12 cabinet from kit and am planning on cream white baffle and cherry veneer without stain. I do not have spray skills and am ok with a less than ideal finishing. Do you think I can do this with a brush? So it is oil primer, oil paint and oil gloss. Do have any further advice on this such as maker and color numbers of paint used?

chalugadp · Dec 25, 2013

Quote:
Originally Posted by zeekcy /t/1456329/fusion-12-tempest-seos-12-build-not-your-typical-finish#post_24115718

Am building Fusion 12 cabinet from kit and am planning on cream white baffle and cherry veneer without stain. I do not have spray skills and am ok with a less than ideal finishing. Do you think I can do this with a brush? So it is oil primer, oil paint and oil gloss. Do have any further advice on this such as maker and color numbers of paint used?

You do not need spray booth to get great results . Painting over veneer is criminal

. Buy some watco danish oil with natural or cherry color. Sand with 600 grit and then apply 1st coat. Wipe on , let it sit for 10 minutes and then buff off smooth . Wait a day and repeat but this time use wet/dry 600 sandpaper on a surface that has a film of oil on it. Again buff off. Do a 3rd coat the same as the second ad your done. You now have a super smooth , awesome looking color. Put some minwax on if you want a shine.

chalugadp · Dec 25, 2013

Here's a pic of one I did.

zeekcy · Dec 26, 2013

Sorry I was not clear. I did not mean that I'd paint the veneer but the baffle only similar to the subject. I like the idea of the cream gloss painted baffle. Also like your idea as to best finishing the veneer. I'd not use stain and just let the cherry darken with time / indirect sun light. Our kitchen cabinets are also a natural cheery. Tomorrow will put polyfill in the cabinets (speaker cabinets :

chalugadp · Dec 26, 2013

I wouldn't recommend leaving unfinished Wood. If you spill wine on it it will be very hard to get out. Over time the cherry wood will likely discolor a bit. Doing the danish oil takes minutes and I teach grade 6's how to do it so you know its easy.

zeekcy · Dec 27, 2013

Thanks, yes I will not use stain but will use the Danish oil natural. A lot of 6th graders would out do my carpentry but I will try my best.

On the baffle I will try the oil cream white like on this thread.

Fusion 12 Tempest + SEOS 12 build. Not your typical finish

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