Simplexx 18 concept

[Keryn O'Shea]

So, to clarify my experience with a Simplexx system, a small underwhelming WH6L..

How would you rate your woodworking skill level Zippie?
A smaller cab isn't always easier mate, especially if you're planning on a "Lite" series.
Also the WH6 being designed as a vocal monitor, may not perform double duty as a top or guitar practice cab as well as you hope. They're amazing at what it's designed for though, l can attest to that.
I'm pointing this out as you're wanting to ease in, would something from the Simplex tops line-up be better for a start..?
Go for the S18s though, good choice there.

[Zippie]

Thanks Keryn. I’m not a cabinet maker by any means, but I understand setting up a saw with jigs and making sure the fits are correct. I have worked with wood for most of my life in some way, maybe not cabinet grade. I have made some crude outdoor furniture, tables, and 1 shelf for inside my house.
I have reviewed the WH6L plans a few times, nothing sticks out that would be incredibly difficult just to read it over. I have learned woodworking is far less about physical skill and much more about setup and proper alignment than anything. Bills jigs and thorough plans seem to remove a lot of the guess work.
As mentioned before I owned a commercial sign shop for a few years and would build things fairly consistently there, also worked for a commercial audio company for a couple years and built custom case inserts and liners there. So, I’m not completely out of my element.
I have adequate tools and friends with wood and metal working shops all around for anything that might be over my head, so build difficulty is not a huge concern.
This being a hobby at this point also removes all pressure and timeline, if I trash a piece of wood, I just cut another.
My concerns are getting to the PL and clamping fastening with proper square placement and alignment for glue to set, again the jigs and straight edges account for this. I am comfortable pre-drilling or nailing as well, I do have a small air nailer. The assembly with jigs holding things in place does seem clear from the plans.
I understand that the WH6L is not a Pro PA candidate. My thinking for it in a room would be a very conservative coffee shop setting that would be compared to a mid size stage at best. Possibly 20x20 with a capacity of 50 people standing shoulder to shoulder. Entertainment would be solo artists with acoustic and vocals, possibly a cajon drum box, hence the interest in the T18s for a very modest low energy to add some presence in the room for the box. HT levels would be more than adequate. I understand this is not a rock show setup.
Bill says 25w is possibly too loud to stand in front of in one thread. I just figured it could throw a small room as large as a den or living room in a house with the 50-100w or say the 20-25v however you want to look at it should be quite a bit of headroom above that without pushing the WH6L if I understand the specs correctly.
I just think it’d be cool as a super light duty option.
This is also experimental at best and not need based. If it’s not appropriate it will be ok. I have plenty of PA currently, I’m comfortable to throw to 500 people or more with what I have, size is not the intention for the small build. I’m just interested to switch to the horn based speakers for low power and efficiency and see how sound quality compares. Then build my way up.
I am open to be completely mistaken and right it off as a learning experience. Please continue to give me concerns, I do not by any means think I have a complete understanding, and I do not wish to come across ungrateful or oblivious to the suggestions and advice.
I also have not committed to any builds yet. Just throwing it out there and the feedback is well respected and honored. You guys have done this a long time and I know I do not have the experience that you all have.
My interest with the WH6 initially is in a small space like a bedroom which is 10x12 ft at most for extremely low volume reference material that will not come close to the capabilities of the speaker.
I will definitely document my journey and relay it here along the way as this seems to be a great benefit of the forums. Even just trying to wrap my head around a starting point has been very helpful and I am thankful to have the chance to externalize that process here.

[Zippie]

Ok. After researching some A B options I think I have satisfied my initial concerns as far as practical justification and use for the Simplexx 18 after confirming that the 2268h drivers will be appropriate.
Going back to my initial thoughts on the first post, I’ll limit it to 2 and keep a complete SRX rig together with the other 728, plenty of low end especially indoors, no concerns there at all.
The Simplexx 18s will simply replace my 2 cheap Chinese subs that I currently use with JBL EON715 tops, at least it will be a complete JBL rig for what it’s worth. If I like the Simplexx subs I found a factory JBL plate amp thats should play well with the 2268h drivers if the Chinese plates can’t hang.
I have also found a factory JBL grill thats almost spot on. It has a small metal reveal on the sides but not the top and bottom, I think I can make some metal trim pieces out of flat stock to match for top and bottom which will meet the other edges to get the extra space I need and keep it looking nice.
Never heard of it, JBL AC118S passive sub. Not their high end, but the grill is clean and looks nice. Will require a 1.5” rounded corner top and bottom with a like almost 83” rounded front curved between them across the front. Produces a slight bump out forward from the edge of the box. Should look nice and I think it will match the tops well as they have similar larger rounded corners.

https://static.bhphoto.com/images/image ... 173858.jpg

I’ll plan to lay them down so the bottom is the front and cut the legs off flush from the design. This drops the cuts from 27” down to a 24” length for the biggest pieces and will make better use of plywood at the 48” dimension. This allows for the plate amp to go on the back(top in design) comfortably outside the cabinet in an added box. The plans make an allowance for placing the cone forward, even though it doesn’t affect performance.
With cosmetic changes external only, I have not made any deviations from the actual main box or functional internal designs.

Just gotta source some material and put the project in line behind some honey dos and an arcade cabinet taking up space in my shop I need to finish for a friend, lol. Always something going on. I’ve had it for years, time to get it done and move on.

Thanks again for the thoughts everyone. I’ve got some time before this build happens, I’m still open to thoughts and suggestions. I’m still crunching numbers and specs for small amps, or plate amps for the WH6 and T18 I’ll get back to those in time in a new thread.