Solstice Speaker Kit Build

[@fubartotale3389]

MDF drinks glue like a sponge. I spread the glue out with an acid brush, wait a minute and re-apply. Also glue both mating surfaces, butt joints have no mechanical locking and a good glue job can eliminate the need for screws, which makes finishing the surface easier. Just my 2c.

[@jayweb702]

Too many negative comments for no reason. this video was obviously for demonstration purposes only. It was meant to show the basics of how to build this particular kit, which is an amazing speaker kit btw...

[@zososldier]

If it was a good how to, it would show the proper way to do things. I wouldn't watch a pro baseball player trying to teach me how to throw using a soccer ball.

[@jayweb702]

You see that's where your'e confused a little. This isn't a tutorial on how to build it... It just shows how it goes together for the purpose of selling the kit. Basic carpentry skills should automatically be the initial requirement before even considering building this or any speaker kit. have a nice day!

[@zososldier]

Negative. By your own words "show the basics of how to build this particular kit". Stop contradicting yourself. Some questionable stuff happened in this video. Better that people point them out in the comments so others don't make the same mistakes.

[@jayweb702]

Right...the basics.

[@zososldier]

Again, start with crap basics end with crap results. It's a guide since it showed almost all the steps (minus the lamination), so it should be correct. If it isn't a guide (which it is) then the dude is just showing off bad practices and lack of basic knowledge. Either way, not a great source for the uninitiated and is open to scrutiny due to being public online.

[@uncledoug9999]

This looks like a great kit! I see precision cut boards, plenty of bracing, high quality components, easy to assemble crossover, and it can be built at whatever level of perfection the buyer is capable of achieving. Yes, I might have done a few things different, but that's the love of a kit. This easy build looks very solid, nicely finished and I'm sure it sounds awesome. Thank you Parts Express for the video, and the kit!

[@mamertosorrab177]

Uncledoug bb

[@johnfreeman258]

In the beginning it looks like the wood is MDF but then later in the Video it appears to be a plywood or oak and is finished nicely. Are the sides of the kit MDF or an Oak or plywood type of wood?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

All of the panels are MDF. The finished enclosure was wrapped in Band -It mahogany veneer (www.parts-express.com/band-it-mahogany-veneer-24-x-96-paper-backed--260-044), and the baffle was painted with Black Duratex (www.parts-express.com/acry-tech-duratex-black-1-quart-roller-grade-cabinet-texture-coating-kit-with-textured-3-r--260-111).

[@MrBigZN323i]

thats very misleading

[@bjostad]

I was wondering if I missed them gluing the veneer on. nope... it appears magically! The product page is the same way! Shows MDF but finished speaker surface is vaneer...

[@mikeleahy5283]

How does these sound? Bet it sounds good with those drivers. This kit is a value you would pay 2-3 times for a branded setup like this.

[@jacksound5471]

Nice job ! But one question: Why not inverse the front cap and placing the tweeter to get less diffraction surface ?

[@bioscalar]

Quite a helpful video for someone like me who is starting out in diy speaker kits . Wish there were more like it.

[@kimchee94112]

How was the veneer put on? Was it sticky back or did you used contact cement?

[@andregarcia6454]

Like the part when the veneer was installed.

[@sandergjertsenstvold1051]

Very in depth

[@captainspirou]

The dome on those woofers looks awesome

[@keeferdog5617]

Bitchin- really dig the “krinkle-like” black material you applied. Good looking set of towers....

[@HiFiman4u]

Jeff is a great guy with a plethora of knowledge in Loudspeaker design.

[@cvee2614]

Nice build and video but for that price point, I built the X-LS Encore's from GR Research with all the upgrades. Still amazed after 2 years in....

[@electronicshelpcare]

Great making brother

[@fernarias]

How do these magically get veneered?

[@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS]

I'm not really a fan of the Duratex or whatever of a high-end speaker. More for PA or car audio IMO, but that's just a preference. Also I didn't see the part in assembly where he added a veneer?!? Or does the MDF come that way?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

I dont see a veneer? He polyurethaned the cabinet and used what looks to be Exohide on the black areas.

[@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS]

@@PartsExpressOfficial Arent these knock down MDF enclosures? I see wood grain?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

I'm not sure why it shows wood grain. It also shows that on the website. Possibly it is veneered already or maybe that is just editing. I will find out the correct answer.

[@openbafflespeakerbuilder9863]

Very cool, how about some open baffle designs and kits??

[@xanderguldie]

Why not do this mtm style? Btw they look great!

[@gamiwv]

why you don't make it in MTM (D'Appolito) configuration ?

[@thethirdman225]

These look like good speakers. I'm sure they work very well. The only comment I would make is that the Parts Express webpage describes them as transmission line speakers, which they are not. These are a bass reflex design.

[@bigrat598]

Incorrect. Mass Loaded Transmission Line.

[@thethirdman225]

@@bigrat598 So show me where the transmission line is. There is no fold back, just heavy reinforcement.

[@bigrat598]

@@thethirdman225 Do your own research.

[@thethirdman225]

@@bigrat598 I have. That’s why I’m saying what I’m saying. Now you please show me where I’m wrong.

[@peusom6980]

I would like to see the sound up close so I can see the quality

[@cyelannford4735]

Nice... finally, DIY doing MMT, instead of those horrible MTMs. Let's hope a trend develops, and MMT and TMMT will be seen much more. After watching this again, I have to say what I didn't the first time... I would have turned those black baffles with the points at the top. Narrower part with the tweeter placed there.

[@Billy123bobzzz]

This looks very good and the parts look to be of high quality. I would like to build a set and compare them to retail/commercial speakers costing the same amount of money to see if it is a good value, in comparison.

[@edrickmendez7978]

This Solstice its for a specific speaker's and tweeter or can be changed with another 6" speaker?

[@steevee1945]

You could substitute another 6 inch speaker but it would likely have different electrical characteristics, which would change the bass response and possibly the midrange, as well.

[@edrickmendez7978]

steevee1945 🤔..ooh..ok thanks! 👍😄

[@aman-mn5kc]

What mayonnaise did you use?

[@miheadhurts]

Titebond 2

[@garykarczewski6678]

Being one cannot demo the end results, if you were to compare these to factory built speakers what comes to mind of these?

[@mariusloubeeka5810]

There's definitely some room for improvement which nearly costs nothing and is no extra effort: a separate closed chamber for the crossover, putting the upper strut in between the two woofers without having to cut it out for the woofer, a round bass reflex port in the middle of the enclosure facing sideways near the front instead of the small slot at the end, adding an internal Helmholtz absober at one end agaist the stationary wave in between top and bottom, putting each coil in a 90° angle to all others, using MOX resistors and allowing air flow around them (they can easily reach 200°C = 400°F!) and because the panels are CNC milled the edges could be produced with a 45° angle to achieve an edgeless surface and equipped with holes for biscuit joiners for an easier installation. The most important things to know for me to be able to decide if I would by this kit is a plot of the frequency response and the crossover frequency. The Morel woofer is great but their tweeters seem to lose their ferro fluid sometimes that there has to be an adequate distance between the resonance frequency of the tweeter and the crossover frequency. Otherwise each tweeter needs to be checked before assembly.

[@stevenx3m]

Nice build (especially avoiding the use of any screws or nails), but soldering job on the drivers' terminals was bad. You needed more solder to get it done right.

[@pereiradesignmarcenaria9752]

Faltou mostrar a parte do revestimento em lâmina madeira ,acabamentos etc ,e no mais, pra q os encaixes na madeira e a prensagem com ferramentas se vc revestiu as caixas ¿???poderia ter parafusado é colado TD, teria menos tempo de trabalho não achas ?????

[@eduardomujicaparra781]

Hola buenas tardes!! Me podrían proporcionar por favor el correo electrónico de parts express?? El que tienen en su página no funciona. Gracias!!

[@mastaojo]

Whats the difference in sound quality between this and a klipsch for example?

[@thethirdman225]

You would have to listen and see for yourself. DIY speakers usually put out a sound equivalent to a speaker many times the cost of a kit.

[@TheHardwareguide]

Wow! I like that '80ties disco look!

[@nicholascremato]

I love the binding posts!

[@А-А-л4ч]

you made a hole in the case and covered it with a crossover board - why? The crossover board must be glued to the side wall. Thus (in parallel), the inductors cannot be placed (magnetic fields act on each other), one of the inductors had to be placed on the side. So beautifully made the case and so illiterate made the internal installation - offensive, honestly.

[@rajamani8085]

U MB

[@BilboCameron]

Good lord do you crows on a wire have anything GOOD to say about this video? I've been thinking about building a set just like this but doubt I could improve on the ELAC Debut 6. I found the video informative and I did notice some rookie errors but geez do we all need to pile on?

[@deydrm]

Elac debut 6? Not many people know about Morel drivers. The Elac won't begin to compare to what this speaker is going to sound like. The bass drivers cost $245 each and would go into speakers costing over $3k. The Elac's barely compete with the likes of Wharfedale, Klipsch,or lower line Polks. The Solstice will blow away the Polk Lsim 705 costing $3500. The tweeter is better,way more powerful (200 watts,when's the last time you saw a tweeter as powerful as this),more detailed,and huge soundstage. The Elac debut series may be a fine budget speaker,but make no mistake,it's a budget speaker. Speakers with Morel driver's,like Merlin,cost 3,000 for a bookshelf two way!

[@justkiddin1980]

deydrm okay i guess you havent heard the debut 6 then.....hook em up to a high end amp have a sit and listen...for the price mind you....you will be hard pressed to find anything better...

[@justkiddin1980]

deydrm and yeah morel is high end ...but is over priced...

[@bryanedewaard858]

The big advantage of DIY is the ability to skew the budget in favor of the drivers by doing the work yourself. In a mass-market speaker, the goal is generally to make a low-cost driver sound good. A lot of people are criticizing the crossover coil orientation, but the way it is will work fine. The biggest no-no is lining up the holes/cores with each other which creates a transformer.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Pedants can never pass up an opportunity to annoy others with their ostentatious display of overly finicky and fastidious concern with pointing out corrections in unimportant details. Being showy of ones knowledge in a boorish manner.

[@ImpulseAudioSpeakers]

I love the look of the backside of those woofers. Love to be able to test and review those! No shots of the tweeter though. Ill look it up :)

[@asedillo1]

Did you put a veneer on MDF before you apply the Poly? thanks.

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Yes

[@TheTnicoletti]

Great looking speakers.

[@pabloosvaldopenizzotto1098]

Very nice speakers!! Could you do a sound test video? Thank you

[@rainbowcomputers212]

which is the best board type for speaker box? MDF or Particle Boards?

[@franciszekkolby20z]

mdf

[@rainbowcomputers212]

is it a good idea to use mdf in a high humidity area.

[@deedogg83]

I wish u guys would do vids on crossovers you sell I want to start building speakers but have a hard time finding info that helps

[@korky5214]

Thank you for the video well done, lots of interesting comments LOL. Cant wait to see their video's.

[@MichelLinschoten]

I was thinking the same all these internet warriors...

[@iliketoUSEmybrain017]

At what point in my build do the speakers magically veneer themselves?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Sorry. "Fixed" :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGbSZ4yFq8SnoNU

[@dennishammond6355]

Where is the line in this "Transmission Line" design?

[@briantorney980]

Good build but you’re gluing technique really needs attention. You should spread the glue on the surface, not just join the surfaces. The glued surfaces will have voids unless it is properly spread causing the joint to be less strong. After clamping you should clean all of the excess glue off the wood using a damp cloth. Much cleaner result.

[@CoquiAudio]

a 2 mm PCB thickness will be perfect "I think is 120 mm x 90 mm or more" to make a nice crossover design and looks really good in wood, imagine a nice layout for it in PCB :)

[@dennisduran8500]

Magic particle board suddenly turns into real wood.

[@nodoubt46able]

lol was thinking that too

[@LoudMercury]

Would these towers outperform the elac debut 2.0 b6 2's? (Looking for all around but mostly music)

[@fish7436]

late reply but yes these will greatly outperform the b6s

[@gprn3]

What is the black paint you put on the front wood? Love the texture.

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Check the description.

[@gprn3]

Thank you... was blind last day, sorry ^^

[@jasonkloos6348]

Never orient the coils in the same plane. They should be perpendicular to each other.

[@justkiddin1980]

Jason Kloos ooh best comment so far....

[@CrystalWhiteLX50]

Magnetism??

[@blammod]

i bought another kit and it had 4. they all lay flat on the x over pcb that came with it. maybe it makes a difference I don't know but it's been fine so far.

[@ytSuns26]

Jason Kloos like what speaker, I would love an example of speakers in that orientation. Btw don’t tell Bose, the 901 speakers sounded great 8 speakers on the same plane.

[@blammod]

the swan diy kit.

[@NoxiousWZRD]

what Phillips bit was that used to screw in the speakers?

[@TheRandog100]

Somehow, magically, the MDF turns into nice stainable wood in one second 3:38- 3:39.

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Nah, its at 3:22 when we say we added a particular veneer. :)

[@cuddles6938]

Let's take a trip to the local Home Depot I bet this would be a class people would actually show up for.

[@СергейДеев-п3к]

Sharp eye!!!

[@jeffcole5708]

At $539.00 you've got to buy your own Veneer or paint your MDF. No veneer shown in kit or on their page only a finished product and parts list.

[@taylorgeorge6169]

@@jeffcole5708 If you see the price of the drivers by themselves you wouldn't complain about the lack of veneer in the kit. The kit is more than fair. Also, there are too many preferences for finishing. None of their kits come finished for that reason, it's a major part of the DIY aspect.

[@soulblown9886]

hey know of any other projects within the spheres of assemblies that I can run with to make good margins as well as a bridge into components manufacturing (looking for exposure; Iron sharpens Iron)?

[@barbacor]

What size clamps should I use

[@MrJamesgrate]

Nice build, wish you would have given a sound demonstration..

[@ouimetnick1]

what kind of hot glue was that? It looked black..?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

www.parts-express.com/black-hot-glue-stick-10--360-379

[@m.9243]

Α question no one seems to address. How they sound?

[@zarrdoss]

I built these and have to say that Jeff is spot on in his description on how they sound above.

[@garylester55]

Where’s the narration of what and how your doing it?

[@jeffrielly]

What's the sensitivity on these?

[@dr.p3548]

When did the foamy top get applied? Did I just miss it? Otherwise if this is the basics its not horrible you trolls :-)

[@joedelaluna8256]

What kind of paint you use the black.

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Exohyde or Duratex.

[@and-why]

what is that black paint? how do you get that structure? very nice!

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

www.parts-express.com/brand/acry-tech-coatings/608

[@iansyme3535]

That's some pretty ropey soldering!

[@TheUnkus]

Soldering goes better when you pre-tin your wires. Just a tip.

[@TheUnkus]

ding ding ding.

[@ronaldphillips5481]

reading the comments makes me mad i bet most of you could not make a tool box even. Give the guy a break he is just showing you how to go about making them you can add your improvements if you like. why dont you make a vid yourself.

[@cuddles6938]

Yeah they should all go to Home Depot and make a video showing how to make one so I can save money and build my own.

[@justkiddin1980]

ronald phillips if you make a instructional video on "how to build a speaker" you should first research on how to properly...solder...place a crossover and how to glue mdf.... especially when you work for a company and want to sell something...

[@Cliff7357]

I like their critique~!! I know jack shit about speakers other than what sounds good. so seeing things like that is informative.

[@MINTOELECTRONICS1990]

Your workshop in canada

[@GuilhermeSabel]

Que solda é essa? Todas fora do padrão

[@arfathkhalid1099]

At 3:34 How do I create those circles? I have router machine.. Can anyone tell?

[@wiramarko8900]

What kind of paint that you use for the black texture...?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

www.parts-express.com/brand/acry-tech-coatings/608

[@wiramarko8900]

Tnks...

[@luisvazquez3224]

Great looking speakers, but it looks like no glue was used between the braces and side panel? 1:30 into the video...

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

There definitely was. It may not look like it but here is the other side: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGbSZ4yFq8SnoNU

[@antoninofriscia1557]

come fare per avere la traduzione in italiano.

[@jw-lk1pe]

Nice Smokestack Lightning background music

[@edermartins3793]

Good morning, my friend, congratulations for the beautiful work! What was the blade that you used to cover the boxes?

[@duzeruser]

I do not understand! Where is gluing veneer?

[@gcvoon286]

where to buy the bronze Philips head 2ba screw for mounting the speakers? thanks,

[@sp.shoyon]

How to make a crossover according my need??

[@שרוןלוגסי-ת2ז]

From Were you buy the speaker

[@troydry1402]

the solder joints on the woofers were a bit shady

[@jasonkloos6348]

matt karl I'm sure by now, you can start to hear the solder joints rattling apart on every low note.

[@Wilson84KS]

It starts so nice with all that woodwork but then he starts to build the circuit and I start to cry, its almost like baking a beautiful and tasty cake and then poop on top of it. Really disappointing. Final product looks nice but does it also sound like it looks like... and for how long?

[@kimchee94112]

I see it's done the same way at the factory.

[@TheUnkus]

@Thomas Headley Unless you know how to solder.

[@TheUnkus]

@Thomas Headley NO. Tin your leads and solder direct.

[@rlowle1228]

Very star trek looking. Nice.

[@alfeausluxe6710]

I would like someone to build a 7.2 channel home theater setup.

[@lucamazzeo6897]

what's the name of that kind of black paint on front baffle?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Duratex :) www.parts-express.com/brand/acry-tech-coatings/608

[@lucamazzeo6897]

Parts Express thank you

[@p3dromartins]

Is the xover glued on the brace, as in kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGbSZ4yFq8SnoNUm? Sorry, but it makes no sense, as it's just messing with air circulation inside the box...

[@uncledoug9999]

Please know that air doesn't circulate in the speaker box. The air compresses and decompresses, acting to resist the over-excursion of the woofer. The air mass in the port resonates in the port at the tuned frequency and actually compresses the air more at that frequency allowing higher output with reduced cone motion (excursion) and distortion. Of course, there is no free lunch, and the trade off over sealed boxes is a steeper roll off, and worse phase shift as the frequencies go down. I hope this helps.

[@djsndcx]

Yup! Doug's right. The braces are there to keep the box intact, as well. And not leaving the bracing open would also mess up the air space/volume. :)

[@justkiddin1980]

p3dromartins i thought exactly the same...the thing would resonate like a mofo...glueing it to the back panel was a way better option...this was more a guide to how not to build a speaker...

[@decomputerleraarable]

Hai, the black paint. What is that?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

www.parts-express.com/brand/acry-tech-coatings/608

[@sudipdhara8752]

what is that huge inductor resistor circuit?

[@hastingb]

It's called a crossover. It filters the audio, sending the higher frequencies to the tweeter and the lower frequencies to the woofers.

[@datavomit]

The speakers turned out beautiful!! The soldering not so much.....

[@ScottGrammer]

My sentiments exactly.

[@08halit]

want those morel 6 inch drivers in my car

[@muppetpaster]

Why not bi-wire them right from the start??

[@djsndcx]

What do you mean by bi-wire?

[@bigrat598]

No measurable improvement. Subjective maybe. The crossover is matched to these drivers.

[@vernarawunglongkutoy]

can i ask for the size?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Dimensions: 38" H x 8.75" W x 11" D

[@СергейКаменев-к8п]

Интересные коннекторы под провода. Где такие же купить?

[@theonlyari]

these comments are truly inspiring. I'm sure it will encourage more videos so we can all see the cool shit they sell.

[@ope1700]

Do you export to Brazil?

[@petechman]

I will say this...James can attest...I do need more clamps. The shot of the glued baffles is somewhat sad. BUT they are solid! :)

[@djsndcx]

Clamps, more clamps! I used to buy cheap clamps, but now I'm happy I have 10 of these expensive Erwin's. They have so much more clamping force because they grip so much better on the clamping shaft. :)

[@mjethier]

oh god the soldering so bad. tin those leads man!

[@TheUnkus]

I'm an AV engineer. There are very few people that know how to actually solder. I held a class, and their jaws dropped.

[@MrXella34]

What is the black paint please ?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

Duratex: www.parts-express.com/brand/acry-tech-coatings/608

[@MrXella34]

@@PartsExpressOfficial Thanks, I look this product in France

[@SARCASM_IS_MY_FIRST_NAME]

Its a Very satisfying video

[@cyclistman6358]

MDF is very porous and soaks up glue like a sponge. Applying a single narrow bead of glue to a joint will not create a joint that is as strong as it could or should be. Glue should be applied to the bottom and sides of a dado or corner joint with a small brush and thoroughly coat each surface of the joint. This will allow a speaker cabinet to reach its stiffness potential and it really doesn't take that much more time to do properly. Just my opinion and experience. Peace.

[@ravenlorans]

Great Narration. I Understood Everything you said. And that's not say much.

[@coolcool2521]

Хорошие колонки получились! Молодец!

[@mikka1986]

1. Use more glue on those joint 2. Improve those soldering joint, especially on the woofer 3. stick the crossover to the back, not on the brace, you're blocking the air flow 4. align those binding post other than that, all good for me. I wonder how does the port ends up since it has glue all over it and those veneer trimming on the port opening.

[@djsndcx]

The wood joints had plenty of glue. Also, "air flow"? What air flow? The box acts as a resistive load to the cone. Not as some kind of hair dryer. The binding posts, though.. Yeah. Those were pretty cringy.

[@thethirdman225]

No, the box has to breathe and the airflow in and out of it is important. In transmission line speakers, for example, there are specific choke points where the airflow is constricted and other points where it is expanded so as to synchronise the sound waves and produce the best sound possible from the cabinet. A bass reflex design like this is simpler but airflow is still important.

[@kunad2294]

where did you get the black paint?

[@PartsExpressOfficial]

DuraTex / "Black Paint" - www.parts-express.com/brand/acry-tech-coatings/608

[@kunad2294]

Thank you so much.

[@karczagistvan8943]

Jól sikerült a videó, de a méreteket nem látom! Sem a hangváltó ért sem a bodozét, azért super! 👌👍