CSS Audio 2TD-X Tower Speaker, Building Crossover and Cabinets

[@mojoneko8303]

Just finished watching your video on veneering the 2TD-X. Like I said in that video I plan to build a pair of these soon. I didn't realize that it came with two crossover boards I thought all the components went on one large crossover board. You did a good job assembling them but personally when I solder wires together I prefer to have a mechanical connection either by twisting the wires together or J hooking them before I solder instead of solely relying on a solder connection. The woofers are on back order at the moment hopefully they will be back in stock by the time I finish building the cabinets. : ) I plan to cut them myself instead of buying the flat pack. Thanks for the video!

[@decoryder]

Wonderful video - thank you for the hard work. The quality of these speaker kits from CSS is really outstanding. For those who are interested, this is a 2 Way design, not a 2 1/2 way design, which is unusual for floorstanding speakers of this type. I will build my own kit very soon, and I look forward to comparing these to my own Polk R600's, which - until recently - were about in the same pricerange.

[@ChicagoRob2]

I upgraded my B&W Matrix 805s with the same Jantzen Superior Z caps. The resulting sound was more open and transparent. You can’t beat them for the money.

[@interesting7906]

These are top notch crossover components. nice!

[@charlesclifton1006]

Excellent. Great camera work ... very straightforward ... Question: Is there a particular type of SOLDER that should be used for this? Your testing protocol (before final assembly) is a super good tip for anyone wanting to do this. I hope you do a video on the veneer process and of course a final (sound) analysis. 🤙🇨🇦 🤙

[@Tharbamar]

Hi, I’m using Rosin Core Lead Free Silver Solder, yes I will another video with how I veneer them and final finishes, thanks

[@bruceandt]

When installing the components on the flat panel. Would it make sense to hot glue each component to the panel? Less possible vibration.

[@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS]

Great tutorial! Curious what are the small speakers with Ribbons in the stands?

[@katumbakawonga]

The best video I've ever seen how to assemble a crossover.. Thank you IThink I#ll go and buy such akit of speaker from CSS.

[@ufarkingicehole]

Are these a step above polk lsim? Wondering if I buy these if they will be an obvious upgrade.

[@Tharbamar]

In bass performance Yes, i will have detail review. Thanks

[@mabehall7667]

Tharbamar, I have had trouble soldering the larger diameter wires like the capacitors to the smaller resistor wires. Did you have this problem? I’m wondering if my solder iron is hot enough. I didn’t have any trouble putting a little solder on the bare stranded wire.

[@Tharbamar]

I didn’t have problem with soldering, all individual leads I put solder on first and heat the links together.

[@vicg5323]

How much would you have to spend for a commercial speaker that can out perform this speaker? Which speaker would it be?

[@Tharbamar]

I would say $3000 Range.

[@michaelmallory]

This is a super helpful video~~~~helped me avoid some big mistakes in putting mine together....thank you!

[@Tharbamar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cnhhnc]

Criton? That guy LOVES big freaking capacitors and lots of copper! His crossovers are better suited for nuclear submarines, lol! That aside, look forward to sound demo. But, I often find his speakers too flat for my ears, he loves to measure and measure and measure. A true believer, lol!

[@thomasguilmoto]

Do you recommend any wire composition for soldering ?

[@JDG1971]

Excellent very good 👌🏽👍🏽

[@Tharbamar]

Thanks

[@martytoo]

Please show the wood veneer process. I am planning to buy the similar bookshelf version. I have never done veneer.

[@Tharbamar]

Yes I’m.

[@emotive7]

Did you ever actually review these? I'm surprised how they would compare to Arendal towers.

[@Tharbamar]

Yes I did and praised them a bit because I built them but in the end they’re just midfi speakers for me compared to what I have right now, so now they are just sitting in the corner of the room as the backups. Honestly I would just buy Arendal towers because actual sound quality of 2TDX is not worth the hassle of building them. In the right paring speaker like Diamond 240 can do better for much less, thanks

[@matthewtaylor7355]

@@Tharbamar All the media bullshit about audiograde parts and u prefer basic warfdales lol... These kits ain't at all cheap

[@ericschulze5641]

. 3 mh what gauge wire is that my 16ga .3s are miniature compared to that

[@PP-nh1lv]

How do they compare to your KEF R11s?

[@Tharbamar]

Ha that is very long shot, I will not be comparing it.

[@samanthaahmed396]

Super👌 ✅✌🏼

[@Tharbamar]

Thanks

[@Z-add]

why don't they make a proper PCB for the crossover.

[@SpikeoutBattleStreet]

They look like kid's toy but I wouldn't mind as long as they sound good.

[@johnsweda2999]

Be nice if you had the inductor on the other side turning the board around for the tweeter and pointing towards the other inductor slightly by twisting off from it's Centre, even thats not far apart there's interference going on especially in the same plane as they are sitting at the moment try twisting the stand-up coil facing the other one slightly to its edge doesn't have to point to the centre. Looks very nice how much is the kit? I would say get rid of the two ports go for one big one reduce chafing, or better still cut the dividing wall and put a board inside above where the port would be up to the back of the speaker, give yourself about an inch cap if I'm right I think that give you a second order slotted port bass reflex

[@Tharbamar]

Thanks for the tips, please check on CSS site they have a few options, bit.ly/2Yd5DDg

[@johnsweda2999]

No I can't access their website too many restrictions not good

[@Tharbamar]

The one I’m assembling is US1874 with all Jantzen Parts. Thanks

[@johnsweda2999]

@@Tharbamar yeah they makes some good drivers, how much is the speakers?

[@bkatbamna]

Did you spend a lot of time listening to them open baffle?

[@Tharbamar]

Yes, about five days with a sub.

[@crossoverchef]

odd value caps is better.

[@thomasschafer7268]

For european user doesn't make sense to order european components from the US.

[@emersonperin4109]

With all due respect, your soldering is performed incorrectly and made me cringe. Cold solder joints may result in sonic issues. I only make this comment because this is an otherwise excellent didactic video - but the soldering technique is detracting.

[@thomasguilmoto]

Do you have youtube video to explain a good soldering ?

[@ericschulze5641]

They ALL do it I'm not going to mention any names but even the guys who work hand in hand with where most of us get our components solder like this. No mechanical connection

[@lighthouse7i]

@@thomasguilmoto - Type in, CSS Criton 1TD X Crossover Tips and Tricks, in your search bar and see how the pros do it! You can also type these two different videos in the search bar to see how it should be done. CSS Audio Torii DIY Speaker Kit Part 1 - Cabinet Construction And Soldering Tips Building the X-LS Encore: The Crossover

[@lighthouse7i]

@@ericschulze5641 - They don't "ALL" solder like this. Check out how CSS solders their boards or Danny over at GR Research. This video also shows the best way. ---------------> CSS Criton 1TD X Crossover Tips and Tricks

[@lighthouse7i]

@emersonperin4109 - Excellent comment.

[@christianginella5545]

Solder doesn't make a good conductor. Tou should either directly attach or run copper between components, otherwise you're paying extra for little difference. Every detail counts!

[@johnadams3116]

This one and the comment about cold soldering, can you provide a link to a video showing your recommendation using copper? Thank You

[@lupus7194]

I can see the point of cabinet assembly / finishing etc being DIY but what is the point of making crossover assembly DIY work. It could be done in China for less than 1 hours work at Chinese labour rates. Assembling the drivers isn't DIY work so why is assembling the crossover ?