Dave S

RVDIII I am using the 8 ohm version of that speaker. I chose this particular speaker because it provided a good platform for the cabinet size I was looking to build. It could dig a bit deeper than the stock K22 or Eminence Delta Pro 12. Using the specifications provided by the speaker manufacturer, you can calculate cabinet size needed to tune it for frequency response. Sealed vs ported designs require different cabinet volume. I knew I wanted a bit larger cabinet than the stock Heresy to allow me a bit lower bass response. I also couldn't go with a speaker as large as a Cornwall because my room furniture would not accommodate them. So I think of these as baby Cornwalls or Heresy Plus' . So far I am very pleased with the results. Now that the speakers are fully burned in , they sound very good. And despite what others may say about speaker wire, High quality wire does make a difference in sound. I went from some 12 gauge zip wire to some 12 gauge OFC silver tinned wire and there was a definite difference in clarity.

Menlo Bob, they are tuned to 45 hz with a 4 inch port 4 inches long. The crossovers are Heresy 2 by Bob Crites.

Update on the speakers after about 15 hours of use. The biggest improvement seems to be the soundstage has opened up and fills the room much better now. My wife came in last night while I was playing some music and she asked what I did to make them sound so much better. Just played them. Anyone who has the Pugh/Taylor Project albums, that is a great test of how a trombone should sound through your speakers. I was blown away on how real and present the horns sounded. I played trombone for many years and know what they sound like and I swear if I was blindfolded, I would have said it was a live performance just feet away from me. As PWK said, the test of a speaker is how well they make the impossible task of reproducing a live performance sound.

Thanks avguytx. You did a very impressive job on your Belle Clones. I love the ribbon mahogany. And finallygotmyheresi, thank you for your kind words. The midhorn opening trim is because I changed plans and had to fill in the cut out I did for the stock K53 K701 horn flange when I switched to the K 700 rear mount horn. It worked out but I created more work for myself. I still have to paint the screw heads bronze to match Dave A's MAHL lenses that I painted satin bronze. Still debating if I should darken in his engraved trim lines. The devil is in the details. 😉

Thank you. External dimensions are 16 x 16 x 29.5 inches. Internals are 14.5 wide x 14 deep x 28 inches. So far, I am quite happy with the build and the drivers chosen. I have had a lot of different speakers in my time and these are the best sounding so far. I realize these are not Klipsch speakers but do have Klipsch designed crossovers and contain the K 700 horns so some of you probably take offence that I called them Heresy 2 plus. I should rather call them Klipsch inspired speakers and an homage to PWK, who I feel is a true pioneer in his field.

I only have a couple hours of play on the speakers but what I have noticed so far is the A-55 G squawkers are more detailed and and natural sounding with both Male and female voices compared to the K53s. I need more time for critical listening and I will be the first to admit I am terrible at describing what I hear. The DE10 tweeters are less harsh and bright than the K76 with titanium diaphragms. Very easy on the ears and non fatiguing. But again subtle changes may occur after more break in. Whether or not you believe in speaker break in vs your own perception. I personally believe in component break in. So far, I like what I hear. Lots of bass punch, and quite detailed midrange. I will report more after more time with them.

Beautiful!

Thank you Kevin

Yesterday I finally finished the built. I will show a few pictures of the veneered cab and the drivers I selected. Went with an A-55G squawker from Bob Crites on a 700 horn that I covered with Dynamat. Now to find some time to listen to them.

I have been reading about this topic for a few weeks now and I will admit I am no expert on the subject but do read opinions of those who claim to be. 🙂 Long story short, what I have gathered is as long as you do not throttle the orifice of the horn you are good. The exit diameter of the A-55 G seems to be 11/16 of an inch which is the same as the entry diameter of the Klipsch K 700 and K 701 horns. The 701 horns used with the K 53 driver has a reducer cone which fits around the phase plug of the driver so first 1.5 inch of the horn is actually more a part of the driver design. The 700 horns are exactly the same dimension once you get past the rear 1.5 inch of the horn. The concern about that reduction of diameter and then opening up again is that it may introduce distortion. It would seem that if your adaptor has a smooth transition in diameter to your horn, all should be good.

I agree, Tom. The re-veneering is beyond most do it yourselfers. I have a full woodworking shop as it is one of my hobbies building cabinets and furniture and this speaker cab repair is not easy. As he said how can I get it back to original condition, I simply said what I would do. It will never look like original unless it is recovered in new veneer. Also it is not necessary to remove the old veneer to recover it. But the old finish has to be removed to present a clean fresh surface to assure the glue adheres properly.

I think Mark has the best solution. Unfortunately there is no easy repair to restore your speaker cab to like new condition without first restoring the sharp edges of the corner with something like Bondo and then re-veneering the affected cabinet sides. Then applying a stain and finish to try to match the original which will not be easy. IF you could live with a less than perfect repair, a professional cabinet maker could cut out the damaged corner and fill in with wood or Bondo and patch in some veneer in just the corner. Properly done it should not be noticeable from a distance. Personally, if it were mine I would fill in with Bondo, and re-veneer the side, top and edges with a walnut veneer of similar grain pattern.

Hey thanks. Looks like it should work fine then with the K701 horns.

Thanks for the advice, Moray. I had read about the DynaMat damping material but not about the other things you mention. Very interesting.