SLA pro Build

[scornil01]

Hello all!

this will be my first build post since ive come across the BFM site in 2006 or 7. I've previously built 2x Tuba30's 24 inches wide and a pair of DR200's which were amazing but I just don't have the room for it anymore . I've gotten back into mobile DJing and have been borrowing friends' powered speakers which was just a big hassle. so... here I am starting a new build!

My goal was to have a smaller system that I can store easily in my smaller LA apartment and carry around in my Honda accord. Loved how the SLApros look and how compact they are which will store perfectly in my apartment.

After Testing today I am very happy with my choice! I accepted that choosing the SLA's over the Omni's or DR's there would be some drawbacks. I don't have my Dr's anymore to compare. but I can easily hear the difference compared to the active Mackie/ Behringer/ JBL speakers ive been borrowing. I feel the SLAs sound a lot more crisp even being under powered by an old crown powerbase 2 amp.

It did take me a few weeks to complete as ive had to drive up to my parents house to work on them. the build was so easy that I feel I could have finished in a few days.

I followed the post "3 day SLA build" very closely, as a reference. to the guy who posted that topic. Thank you!

I also used the Dayton Pa165-8 for the drivers

my total cost for everything including drivers, materials, finishing stuff is around $340.00US

Anyways, enough Jibber Jabber here are a few pics.

Mapping out the baffle


Gluing the Tweeters, it was late and the store was closed and didn't have any PVC cement so I just used the PL premium.


Test Fitting the Baffle.
Im sure this is common sense...that I didn't have for the first baffle. for fitting the tweeter array, I found it easier to just cut the inner rectangle first, mark where the tweeter array screws are, then cut the half moons after with a jig saw. For the first baffle. I used a hole saw first to cut circles for the half moons, and then cut the rest of the tweeter hole. I still ended up have to trim with the jigsaw. im sure that's why Bill didn't mention that method in the plans. second time around I was able to fit the tweeters quickly




dampening the back and sides. I had some leftover unused speaker carpet from old cabs. so I just covered the front of the baffle in carpet to bypass gasket-ing the speakers.


Sides and tops/bottoms Installed


Speakers installed, duratex, and mounting poles. I just temporary used some random 1" pipe laying around. definitely gonna find a smaller pipe. Paired with my first BFM build, an Autotuba just to give the test some low end


Here are some vids taking with my Iphone, of course it doesn't do the actual sound justice but will post anyways.
http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v63 ... 660892.mp4
http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v63 ... B630E4.mp4


last will be to install the grill with acoustic transparent foam. I will update with pics when I finish this weekend

I really want to build a couple more will also be building another tuba soon. possibly the T24 20' wide? maybe a pair of tubas to go with the 4 SLA pros stacked? I know my goal was to keep this system small.... but you know haha

Im thinking 4 SLAs and 2 Tuba24's for bigger wedding gigs, and 2 slas with a tuba24 for my smaller house party gigs

Enjoy!!

[Jaysephus]

Looks great!

I've got a pair I built and would be willing to part out to you if interested; all parts in kit from Speakerhardware. Feel free to message.

[scornil01]

Hello all,

Just finished adding the grills to both. I was going to still add the weather stripping on the sides. But Im kinda diggin how they look.
I did use the foam. And they are barely touching the rim of the Dayton woofers. I hope it doesn't affect performance.

Sorry if it looks dark. I finished pretty late.
Enjoy!

[Chris_Allen]

I generally don't like the square grilles but that looks top notch.

[scornil01]

I generally don't like the square grilles but that looks top notch.

Thank you sir! Yea I was pretty skeptical also when I purchased the square grills. I'm glad they turned out alright!

[Triticum Agricolam]

Those look awesome! You will have to let us know how they sound.

Would you mind sharing where you got the grills? I really like how those turned out.

[Tom Smit]

[scornil01]

Those look awesome! You will have to let us know how they sound.

Would you mind sharing where you got the grills? I really like how those turned out.

Oh man they sound amazing!! in my first post these a couple of links to videos of my first sound test. ofcourse they don't sound half as amazing on the video as it does live.

they do need some subs tho. I paired it with an autotuba I had laying around which sounded decent. but the SLA's totally overpowered the autotuba. Yesterday I just purchased some Kappalite 3010lf's on sale for 125 each because they were restocked. so im currently studying both the t24 plans or the titan39 plans and trying to come to a decision..but I cant

I got the grills from Parts express.

https://www.parts-express.com/flat-meta ... 0--262-898

it came with a pair but 1sheet was pleny for both cabs. when you cut the sheet in half, theres looks to be plenty of material to have it bent. I just don't have anyone local to bend it for me. ill probably be using the other sheet for another pair of SLA's

I also used this foam behind the grill to make it less transparent. actually not transparent at all

https://www.parts-express.com/parts-exp ... k--260-519

cutting it in half was actually the perfect width for the SLA. I just had to trim about 2.5 to 3 inches from the length

hope this helps!

[Chris_Allen]

125 for the 3010lf's sounds like a steal.

I'm generally T39 all the way, my favourite cab - perfect balance between size and output. However, since building a T18, I've really warmed to that form factor and although you get more out of the T39, I've never actually needed that much output.

I'm not going to be happy until I have on of every cab and a very frustrated Mrs.

[scornil01]

Thank you sir!

125 for the 3010lf's sounds like a steal.

I'm generally T39 all the way, my favourite cab - perfect balance between size and output. However, since building a T18, I've really warmed to that form factor and although you get more out of the T39, I've never actually needed that much output.

yea definitely a steal. I bought 2 without hesitation.

I'm really leaning towards the t39's as I wanna try the loud factor this time around. I built the tuba 30s before, 24-26 wide I believe. It wasn't until I unplugged them in a middle of a song that im like " wow there was so much bass I didn't even realize"

Do you have any advice on deciding the width "sweet spot" when it comes to convenience vs performance? I'd love to go 13" but feel like I won't be taking advantage of the 3010lfs.

[Chris_Allen]

I think a 20" wide cab is a sweet spot for a flat 50-70Hz range. On the narrow cabs, you will either have to boost low down and limit your output or have a crossover point around 70-80 with a 12db/octave curve to tame the rising response.

The difference in sensitivity between 20" and 16" at 60Hz is 3.5db.