A trial version SLA

[Tom Smit]

I had some plywood, stuffing, drivers, wiring, all laying around, so I decided to build an SLA. the drivers are actually the old door speakers from the Volvo 740 wagon that I had to bring to the salvage yard. I know, ....wrong drivers for the cab, but hey, it's what was available, and it's for me only. I also wanted to try to do the piano finish, so that was an experiment also.

Figuring that the cab should stand out in the minds of whoever looked at and listened to the cab, the decision was to make it ....orange! I went to the local Home Hardware store and talked to the kind folk there, and learned that I could brush the paint on one panel and immediately wipe off before going to the next panel. Not much paint was needed, and the smallest size found was at Home Depot where they mixed a sample pot. After that, about 10 coats of "Varathane" and some sanding, But it wasn't what I was looking for since it seemed rather dull. After searching, and talking with the brother-in-law, I eneded up using 3 rattle cans of acrylic lacquer. I was getting runs while trying to get enough on, and I ended with dry spots while trying to prevent the runs. Two weeks of frustration. Finally, wet sanding with 200, then 400, after which was 1500, and a cleaning between each sanding. Following this, car polish for topcoat paint which was rubbed until all the polish disappeared. The result is very close to what I was hoping for.

So, for the SQ? Not bad, if I may say so myself. It has a very mid-present sound to it; potentially too bright. And it can get stinking loud on one channel of a 45w/channel receiver at the shop where I work, with a certain immediacy to the sound. Two co-workers said that it was definitely clearer than the two cabs currently used. I also had it hooked up to the RR speaker(disconnected) of my Ford Aerostar and everything faded to that cab. That is also where my AT gets it's signal. A couple of nights ago I was listening to a popular song (by VanHalen, I believe) and I was amazed to hear the bass guitar with such clarity. He was using a pick, and what????!!!, did I just hear fret buzz???? I laughed out loud at that point because I've heard the song maybe a 100 or more, and I had never noticed that before. The combination of the two was really good, especially if you stand back 15ft. And if you want, go back 50ft, and you can still hear very clearly... all on one or two watts ( I never measured anymore than 2 volts, that's how low it was). A few truck drivers, who I compelled to have a listen, also remarked on the clarity.

And now for some pics. You might be able to see the grass reflections near the bottom of the cab if you zoom in.

[Grant Bunter]

nice work Tom

Bright, sounds good, clear, finish is awesome. What more could you want?

[Radian]

Awww, no more Volvo?

It's legendary sound lives on!

[AntonZ]

Nice indeed, thanks for sharing Tom
What size are the ex-Volvo drivers?
Do you reckon they play loud enough to do vocals and keys (properly high-passed) for a rehearsing band?
What about the highs, do you think you loose some sparkle without tweeters?

You make me want to try my hand at a 9x 4" slender SLA version, for lack of affordable 6" drivers for SLA-PRO.

[gzc_stageTech]

Whizzers??? I haven't seen those in a while.

Nice looking box.

But where is the vent port, I thought the SLA had a vent. Am I dreaming, or did you just build a sealed box?

Thanks for the report.
Chris

[Tom Smit]

Awww, no more Volvo?

I now have me a '98 Volvo V70.

Whizzers??? I haven't seen those in a while.

Nice looking box.

But where is the vent port, I thought the SLA had a vent. Am I dreaming, or did you just build a sealed box?

Thanks for the report.
Chris

No whizzers...they are soft dome, one with a special tear in it. Only the Pro is vented.

Nice indeed, thanks for sharing Tom

Do you reckon they play loud enough to do vocals and keys (properly high-passed) for a rehearsing band?
What about the highs, do you think you loose some sparkle without tweeters?

Not sure. I guess it depends on how loud practice is. Male vocals sounded fine, maybe a touch thin on the bottom end. For keys, nah. This particular cab needs a sub to sound complete.
About the highs, I actually turned down the treble to make it sound less sharp. But now that I think about it, I don't remember focusing on "air", of which I don't think was much. Might be my hearing though. Regardless, with this cab and the AT, I thought it sounded great.

[subharmonic]

I was getting runs while trying to get enough on, and I ended with dry spots while trying to prevent the runs. Two weeks of frustration.

Some Immodium AD and cheese would have solved your runs in way less than 2 weeks. You may want to cut back on spicy food and fruit for a bit, but it DEPENDS.....

Oh my I love potty humor

[Tom Smit]

Oh man, ....youuu baaaad!

[Tom Smit]

What size are the ex-Volvo drivers?

5 1/2" (40mm)outside the frame; 4 3/4" (21mm) hole cut-out.

You make me want to try my hand at a 9x 4" slender SLA version, for lack of affordable 6" drivers for SLA-PRO.

I used this pair of TLAHs on top of the basketball nets along the long wall of the gym (combined with a TT) for a dinner. It could reasonbly loud such that one had to raise thieir voices. TLAH power was a home receiver.

[AntonZ]

5 1/2" (40mm)outside the frame; 4 3/4" (21mm) hole cut-out.

I'm not going to buy ply in metric from you
(sorry Tom, couldn't resist)


Thanks for the info on the 6 driver TLAH cab. I think I will need to save up for the 6" pro drivers.

[gzc_stageTech]

. . I used this pair of TLAHs on top of the basketball nets along the long wall of the gym (combined with a TT) for a dinner. . .

I've seen the thread for an install in that gym before...deja vu! The TLAH is perfect for an install like that. I'd imagine you have very good projection throughout the gym.

But I'm curious about the room EQ. I'd imagine the hard floors and parallel walls & ceilings would create a lot of room mode nulls. Did you experience that?

Also, I wonder if the tweeters' beam was too narrow, I mean did you get much mid & high frequency coverage close to the goal?

Chris

[Tom Smit]

For the time that I put the TLAH on the basketball nets, the room had a heavy black curtain suspended and totally covering the ceiling. At the same time, both long walls were covered with panels that were made of a canvas-like material and painted to provide a scenic backdrop. Numerous round tables filled the main foom.

There are now currently TLAHPro cabs, which are behind the black rectangles up on either side of the stage. Less thatn 90hz is provided by a 19" T60 LAB12 loaded.

Either setup, the sound is/was quite even. Yes, there are some nulls and voids, modes and nodes, but overall, very even.

[Tom Smit]

Yup, you're right. My bad.