HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

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billkatz
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:30 pm
Location: San Rafael, CA

HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#1 Post by billkatz »

I'm finally getting going on my TLAH and SLA ccurve build. All of the panels are cut, the TLAH boxes built, and the plywood is ripped for the TTLS - I just need to do some cross-cutting and of course cut the angles for the braces.

Here are the TLAH boxes getting started:
TLAH_start.jpg
At this point I plan to rear mount all of the drivers and finish the boxes in stain/polyurethane.

The first batch of drivers is in hand from Speaker Hardware.

I also plan to build the SLA surrounds from the plans.

My next big challenge is to cut a whole bunch of woofer holes.
Built:
1 Omni-15 Tall Boy
2 DR250s
2 Titan 39s

y2kindyz
Posts: 378
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:54 am
Location: MISSION, TX

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#2 Post by y2kindyz »

Looking good, looking forward to seeing the finished results.

billkatz
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:30 pm
Location: San Rafael, CA

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#3 Post by billkatz »

After discussions here about the best way to make the woofer holes, I tried:
  • A holesaw
  • Router, up-spiral, jasper jig,
  • template and pattern bit
I decided that the jasper jig was the easiest, as I just need to drill a 1/8" pilot hole through the baffle (and into a backing board) and then use the jig.

First I tacked the curved SLA baffle to my work table with a few brads, nailing in the 1/2" wide strips that would be cut away:
SLA_front (2).jpg
Then using the router, spiral bit and jasper jig, cut the woofer holes:
SLA_jasper (2).jpg

I used a Forstner bit for the tweeter holes - it makes a very clean cut. Here is the baffle with all 12 holes:
SLA_drilled (2).jpg
Next I changed out the plunge base for the regular base, and mounted the 3/8" round-over bit and rounded off all of the holes:
SLA_routed (2).jpg
The final step was to make all of the angled cuts in the panel, leaving me with 8 pieces. Here is a dry fit of them standing up:
SLA_standing (2).jpg
A careful reading of the instructions reminded me that I now need to sand and finish these pieces before I glue them together. I also need to make the jigs that will allow me to make symmetric pilot holes for the mounting holes for the drivers. Tomorrow while the stain and polyurethane are drying, I may try to get the first couple TTLS panels assembled.
Built:
1 Omni-15 Tall Boy
2 DR250s
2 Titan 39s

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#4 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

Put the finish on the inside of the top and bottom before assembling as well, masking off the glue line.

billkatz
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:30 pm
Location: San Rafael, CA

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#5 Post by billkatz »

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: Tue Apr 24, 2018 8:53 pm Put the finish on the inside of the top and bottom before assembling as well, masking off the glue line.
Thank you - I see that in the plans.
I hope it will work to build the baffle out of 1/2" Baltic Birch rather than 3/4" solid wood. Otherwise I need to start over on the baffle.
Built:
1 Omni-15 Tall Boy
2 DR250s
2 Titan 39s

ketoet
Posts: 381
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:19 pm
Location: kortrijk , Belgium

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#6 Post by ketoet »

My tlah baffles are made out of 1/2 birch plywood and didn't give me any trouble. Plywood doesn't split like solid wood might do. Just make sure u use screws that aren't too long and show through.
Mine are painted white the plys can be seen but i like that.

Greetz ketoet
building BFM speakers isn't a hobby , it's an addiction

1 x THT
1 x autotuba
2 x dr250 melded

2 x wedgehorn 10
2 x tlah

billkatz
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:30 pm
Location: San Rafael, CA

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#7 Post by billkatz »

I'm making a little more progress - I started on the TTLS.

Here are the first 3 panels installed:
panel1.jpg
panel2.jpg
panel3.jpg
I also have panel 4 in. Now I need a driver before I can go an farther. Perhaps I'll order it today. I'm leaning toward the 10" Dayton.

I went down to work on the jigs for drilling the mounting holes for the SLA/TLA drivers today, and promptly dropped the router and broke my only 1/4" upspiral bit :-( So that will have to wait. My current idea is to use the jasper jig set to 1/2" larger than the holes to produce wooden slugs that will fit exactly into the holes - and then use a bit of 1/8" masonite as a guide for the 4 pilot holes.
Built:
1 Omni-15 Tall Boy
2 DR250s
2 Titan 39s

billkatz
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:30 pm
Location: San Rafael, CA

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#8 Post by billkatz »

Only 2 1/2 years later, I am finally making progress on this build again! We are doing a major house remodel, and I want to set up our new den as a home theater (or at least have really good audio when watching TV)

One of the things that took forever on the curved SLA was the decision to rear-mount the drivers. I needed to build templates to accurately place the 4 mounting holes for the drivers. Here are teh jigs I built:
templates.jpg
After drilling mounting holes and mounting drivers, it is starting to take shape:
sla_mount_templates.jpg
The woofer template uses a wooden disk to center it, while the tweeter uses a bit of 1 1/2" drain pipe. I also went through several iterations before settling on 5/8" long screws.
Here is the finished speaker:
sla_center_done.jpg
I decided that for the TLAHs I would front mount the drivers. I also changed course and decided to use the Dayton driver instead of the Goldwood. It is lighter, and (in another thread) Bill recommended it. It has a built-in gasket on the back, but needs an annular ring for the gasket to sit in. I used the router and Jasper jig to rout out rings 4 1/16" in diameter and 1/16" deep:
tlah_rings_routed.jpg
Next I routed holes 3 11/16" in diameter. I needed to clamp a piece of scrap inside the enclosure to hold the disks that were being removed and keep the router centered. Here are the first set of holes:
tlah_holes.jpg
The tweeters fit nicely in 1 15/16" holes made with a Forstner bit. Here are teh two enclosures drilled and stained, ready for poly:
stained_tlah_pair.jpg
Built:
1 Omni-15 Tall Boy
2 DR250s
2 Titan 39s

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Tom Smit
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Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#9 Post by Tom Smit »

Shoot, I just finished going through my Facebook feed, and now I was looking for the "like" button.
Looking good, so far. Keep it up.
TomS

billkatz
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:30 pm
Location: San Rafael, CA

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#10 Post by billkatz »

I have finished my pair of TLAHs. Now if the contractor would just install the roof on my addition!

First I mounted the woofers - the annular ring fit pretty well, but could have been a 32nd deeper:
tlah_woofs_mounted.jpg
Next I installed the wiring:
tlah_with_wiring.jpg
Then I added batting. Ordered on Amazon, 2 yards x 48" was just about right for a pair:
tlah_with_batting.jpg
Then with two of them, and my eBay 16 channel amp, at last a test:
tlah_pair_testing.jpg
They sound quite good, although there is clearly bass missing. I didn't try dragging one of my Titan39s up :)

My next question for the group - any suggestions on hardware for hanging them from the wall? I plan to put the TV on a wall mount and place these on either side.
Built:
1 Omni-15 Tall Boy
2 DR250s
2 Titan 39s

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Seth
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Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#11 Post by Seth »

Those look great Bill :thumbsup:
billkatz wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 5:22 pm My next question for the group - any suggestions on hardware for hanging them from the wall?
A simple French Cleat should do just fine.

Image
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

Two 2x6 shorty SLA Pro's
One T39, 16", 3012LF loaded
Tall AutoTuba, 20" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421
TruckTuba, 8½" wide, 2x 8" MCM 55-2421

Dale Hammer
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Location: Topeka, Kansas

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#12 Post by Dale Hammer »

Yeah, French cleats are the way to go.

billkatz
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:30 pm
Location: San Rafael, CA

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#13 Post by billkatz »

SethRocksYou wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:01 pm Those look great Bill :thumbsup:
billkatz wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 5:22 pm My next question for the group - any suggestions on hardware for hanging them from the wall?
A simple French Cleat should do just fine.

Image
Thank you! That looks like an excellent idea. It might even work to hold the curved SLA center channel on the wall.
Built:
1 Omni-15 Tall Boy
2 DR250s
2 Titan 39s

Bruce Weldy
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Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:37 am
Location: New Braunfels, TX

Re: HT Build: TLAH, SLA curved, TTLS

#14 Post by Bruce Weldy »

Cleats are wonderful. I've used 'em for hanging cabinets, light sconces, etc. Forms a tight seal to the wall. Best part is that all you have to level is the cleat on the wall - whatever you hang will be straight.

6 - T39 3012LF
4 - OT12 2512
1 - T24
1 - SLA Pro
2 - XF210


"A system with a few knobs set up by someone who knows what they are doing is always better than one with a lot of knobs set up by someone who doesn't."

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