Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Our family recently moved, and I’m using the fresh start as an opportunity to upgrade our home theater. The 1080p projector got upgraded to a 65” 4k TV with HDR, the 15 yr old Kenwood receiver got upgraded to a Marantz SR6011 with 11.2 channel processing, and I’m starting the process of upgrading the audio section.
My current speaker setup is Polk Audio circa 2008. The mains are Polk RTi8 floorstanding speakers, the center is a Polk CSi5, and the two surrounds are Polk fxi3’s.
My current woofer is definitely the weakest part of the existing system. It’s a KLH “Bassbite V” 10 inch 40 watt self-powered woofer that originally sold for $49.99
My current speaker setup is Polk Audio circa 2008. The mains are Polk RTi8 floorstanding speakers, the center is a Polk CSi5, and the two surrounds are Polk fxi3’s.
My current woofer is definitely the weakest part of the existing system. It’s a KLH “Bassbite V” 10 inch 40 watt self-powered woofer that originally sold for $49.99
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Given the intended Home Theater setting, and a fairly accepting wife, I’m opting for the Tuba HT. I’m starting out building a single THT, but might very well build a 2nd one, or a THT-LP in the future. My room is approximately 15’ x 15’ with 3 concrete walls, a concrete floor, and 1” thick plaster ceiling. I’m therefore concerned about room response, and a 2nd sub should help even things out.
I live in Wisconsin. We have a regional store called Menards (similar to Home Depot or Lowes) that carries 4x8 sheets of Baltic Birch (item #125-3101) as a special order item. Current price is $57.99 a sheet. Compared to what some of you are paying, this is a bit steep, but compared to what the local lumber yards were charging in my area it’s a decent price. I also liked that I could get a full 4x8 sheet in case I wanted to build a THT-LP with 72” long panels.
I happened to notice that my local Menards had a single sheet in stock. Turned out someone special ordered it, then never picked it up, or returned it. They actually had it in their “Discount” section for $44 so I grabbed that, and special ordered another 2 sheets. Plywood total = $167.98 (w/ tax)
This is real 9 ply Baltic Birch plywood… different from the ACX plywood that Menards also offers.
I live in Wisconsin. We have a regional store called Menards (similar to Home Depot or Lowes) that carries 4x8 sheets of Baltic Birch (item #125-3101) as a special order item. Current price is $57.99 a sheet. Compared to what some of you are paying, this is a bit steep, but compared to what the local lumber yards were charging in my area it’s a decent price. I also liked that I could get a full 4x8 sheet in case I wanted to build a THT-LP with 72” long panels.
I happened to notice that my local Menards had a single sheet in stock. Turned out someone special ordered it, then never picked it up, or returned it. They actually had it in their “Discount” section for $44 so I grabbed that, and special ordered another 2 sheets. Plywood total = $167.98 (w/ tax)
This is real 9 ply Baltic Birch plywood… different from the ACX plywood that Menards also offers.
Last edited by caleb105 on Mon May 15, 2017 11:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
I’m going with a 24.5” wide THT. I considered going larger, but this is an efficient use of the plywood and will give me more options on where to place it. This requires ~2.5 sheets of plywood. Since I would have extra plywood, and since I plan on updating the rest of the system as well, I figured I might as well go ahead & cut out the panels for a 9 driver curved SLA center while I was at it.
I used a cutlist program to layout each of the panels before cutting (http://www.delphiforfun.org/programs/cutlist.htm). The panels circled in yellow are for the SLA center, and the rest are for the THT.
I used a cutlist program to layout each of the panels before cutting (http://www.delphiforfun.org/programs/cutlist.htm). The panels circled in yellow are for the SLA center, and the rest are for the THT.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Since we just moved a couple weeks ago, and my garage/shop is in total disarray, I took advantage of the beautiful weather and worked outside on a couple sawhorses. I built a sled for my circular saw, and used that to rip the sheets down into panels that were ~1/4” larger than intended.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
I’m fortunate enough to have a table saw, which I then used to rip the panels to their final sizes. I was able to run multiple panels thru the table saw with the fence set at the 23.5” panel width to try to keep everything consistent.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
After a couple hours of measuring & cutting, I had all the panels cut for both the THT and SLA center. I used painters tape to label each panel as I cut them, with their panel # and intended dimensions. That way I won’t grab a finished panel thinking that it’s scrap. The two rectangular panels on the left of the picture are the top/bottom for the SLA center. Bill sure likes to design large speakers doesn’t he?
Last edited by caleb105 on Mon May 15, 2017 11:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Continuing to work outside, I then carefully laid out all the lines on the side panel. I made sure to triple check everything, and then labeled each panel placement as recommended in the plans. I then used a 1/16” drill bit to transfer these measurements to the other panel.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Next up was the plunge-cuts for the access panel. I once again used my sled. However, what I realized is that my circular saw does not plunge straight down… but moves to the side slightly as it plunges (circled in red below). Once it was plunged thru, I could make the remainder of the cut with the blade in a consistent location. Oh well… I’m probably just going to cover this whole thing with Duratex when I’m done anyway. Lol
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
I used a jig saw to finish the cuts in the corner. It had a fine-tooth metal cutting blade installed in it, so I just used that.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
I cut to the outside edge, leaving the extra material attached to the panel, then trimmed the tabs off the panel once it was removed.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Overall I think it turned out pretty clean.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Another benefit of having a table saw is that I can easily dial in the angles for the panel edges.
Last edited by caleb105 on Mon May 15, 2017 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
When I had originally cut Panel #1 out of the full sheet of plywood, I cut it to the length listed in the plans cut list. I used the table saw to cut the angle on one end of it, then ran it back thru the table saw with the blade in the vertical position, to rip it to its final length. I was running out of time to work, but I did a quick test fit of Panel 1 just to see if everything was lining up.
With that, my weekend came to an end.
With that, my weekend came to an end.
Last edited by caleb105 on Mon May 15, 2017 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Caleb105, while we all love a good build thread, you need to edit out all measurements, angles, etc., from your posts. Posting any measurements from Bill's plans is a copyright infringement, and is illegal! Plus, you kind of screw Bill out of his royalties for his Intellectual Property.
I know money often seals the deal, but seriously, quality is an investment, not an expense... Grant Bunter
Accept the fact that airtight and well-braced are more important than pretty on the inside. Bill Fitzmaurice
Accept the fact that airtight and well-braced are more important than pretty on the inside. Bill Fitzmaurice
Re: Home Theater Build - THT & SLA
Will do! Definitely not trying to take anything away from Bill!
"There's nothing wrong with plate amps, and nothing right with mounting them on the sub" - Bill Fitzmaurice