MikeSRC
Second Unit
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2002
- Messages
- 369
Well, it's now been a year since I first got some A/V-3 and A/V-3S kits from GR-Research. Work and other problems kept me from finishing them until a few months ago. While I have done a lot of work with electronics in the past, this was my first speaker project. It was also the first time I ever used a router or applied veneer.
I picked up a relatively low-priced Skil router, the Jasper circle guide and appropriate bits. Made a few mistakes with the MDF, but it's so cheap that simply redoing a piece was not a problem. I used rosewood veneer for the A/V-3. After debating the various methods of appling the veneer, I went with Patrick's iron-on glue technique, which was very easy to use with a foam roller and I believe is probably the easiest way to go for a beginner. Some danish oil on the veneer and they were done. I used the black ash PE vinyl on the A/V-3S. I did use the Sonicap upgrade in all the speakers and some Blackhole in the A/V-3s.
I have to admit that I was dubious about how good these speakers would sound, being used to listening to various speakers that cost 5-10 times as much. However, I was amazed by the clarity and detail the A/V-3s provide, especially after break-in. Easily equal to or better than speakers selling for $2-3K in many instances.
Next project, a pair of the A/V-1RS surrounds. It shouldn't take me a year to finish them this time.
Many thanks to the all the experts on this forum, particularly Hank F (for rosewood finishing advise), Patrick S (for the iron-on technique) and Brian B (for routing advise) and everyone else for various other tips.
Here are some pictures. I do have magnets embedded for grills, but I may never get around to adding them.
I picked up a relatively low-priced Skil router, the Jasper circle guide and appropriate bits. Made a few mistakes with the MDF, but it's so cheap that simply redoing a piece was not a problem. I used rosewood veneer for the A/V-3. After debating the various methods of appling the veneer, I went with Patrick's iron-on glue technique, which was very easy to use with a foam roller and I believe is probably the easiest way to go for a beginner. Some danish oil on the veneer and they were done. I used the black ash PE vinyl on the A/V-3S. I did use the Sonicap upgrade in all the speakers and some Blackhole in the A/V-3s.
I have to admit that I was dubious about how good these speakers would sound, being used to listening to various speakers that cost 5-10 times as much. However, I was amazed by the clarity and detail the A/V-3s provide, especially after break-in. Easily equal to or better than speakers selling for $2-3K in many instances.
Next project, a pair of the A/V-1RS surrounds. It shouldn't take me a year to finish them this time.
Many thanks to the all the experts on this forum, particularly Hank F (for rosewood finishing advise), Patrick S (for the iron-on technique) and Brian B (for routing advise) and everyone else for various other tips.
Here are some pictures. I do have magnets embedded for grills, but I may never get around to adding them.