Journey - DR200 Build

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Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Journey - DR200 Build

#1 Post by Bman »

This is my build of 2 DR200's. I'm building it with the melded tweeter array and with an Eminence LA8-CNMBA. It's one of the premium drivers recommended in Bill's plans. However, I found out the LA-8 is now a discontinued model. I got all the components from speakerhardware.com. I want to throw out an awesome "thank you" to Leland! He was gracious to give me 2 LA-8s that he had left in his stock. :hyper: His prices are great and the service is top notch.

Hopefully, the build won't take too long (like everyone else, work is a reality to deal with). After I finish these, I plan on building 2 T45's with Lab 12c's to finish out my ensemble. The goal is to finish everything by Christmas season. Gotta have a rockin' system for all the parties!
Attachments
I started off with building the melded tweeter arrays. Took off all the drivers from the horns. One, to help make the build easier to work with, and 2 to be able to paint them.
I started off with building the melded tweeter arrays. Took off all the drivers from the horns. One, to help make the build easier to work with, and 2 to be able to paint them.
photo2.JPG
I made the jig from Bill plans to help cut all the tweeter horns. It's a great time saver! Here's one of the top/bottom pieces.
I made the jig from Bill plans to help cut all the tweeter horns. It's a great time saver! Here's one of the top/bottom pieces.
All cut up. Even with all the careful planning, I still made a couple of "wrong" cuts. But I was able to "correct" the arrangement. Don't rush this part and you won't make the same "oops" that I did.
All cut up. Even with all the careful planning, I still made a couple of "wrong" cuts. But I was able to "correct" the arrangement. Don't rush this part and you won't make the same "oops" that I did.
Putting them together on the assembly jig (again from Bill's plans).
Putting them together on the assembly jig (again from Bill's plans).
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
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Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Journey - DR200 Build (cont'd)

#2 Post by Bman »

Continued...
Attachments
Diffuser added and painted. I was torn between red, green, and yellow. Green eventually won out. I plan on black Duratex as the final finish.
Diffuser added and painted. I was torn between red, green, and yellow. Green eventually won out. I plan on black Duratex as the final finish.
With the drivers re-installed and wired up as per Bill's plans. Although, I did an alternate criss-cross of the parallel sections.
With the drivers re-installed and wired up as per Bill's plans. Although, I did an alternate criss-cross of the parallel sections.
I'm fortunate enough to have a local lumberyard (just a few miles away) that stocks all thickness of BB. Prices are pretty good as well. I use Illustrator (in actual full size) to help layout all the pieces.
I'm fortunate enough to have a local lumberyard (just a few miles away) that stocks all thickness of BB. Prices are pretty good as well. I use Illustrator (in actual full size) to help layout all the pieces.
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
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Grant Bunter
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Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
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Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#3 Post by Grant Bunter »

Looking good so far Bman with the melded arrays :)

Umm in the last 2 revisions of plans, the Delta Pro 8a is the premium driver in my DR200 plans???

And what's your thinking on Lab12c's? If you ever go to four cabs (or running your subs on one channel and tops on the other) you would have to have a 2 ohm capable amp (2 a side with these drivers would be a 3 ohm load). With ordinary Lab 12's, and an extra 2 ohm's impedance from the cab itself, 2 cabs a side would be 4 ohms.

Just wondering...
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...
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miked
Posts: 1209
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:18 am
Location: San Antonio, TX

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#4 Post by miked »

This man is serious; he made a binder with the plans all neatly tabbed out inside. :shock: Bruce does the exact same thing...and gets perfect results every time, so BMan, you're off to a great start!

Glad to see you've got the arrays COMPLETELY FINISHED already. They were the biggest PITA for my OTop build and very time consuming. Nothing inherently "difficult" about them, especially if you build the recommended jigs. They are just time-sucking black holes. It's good that you got them out of the way first.

Work (the real work, the one that pays the bills) along with the rest of your life always seems to leave little time for cab building. You said you want the rig done in time for the XMas season. You've got at least two months, so don't rush.

Compared to the DRs, the T45s will be cake, but not without their own challenges. Bigger panels are less fiddly to work with, but tiny errors become magnified over the length of a long panel.

I'll say this way in advance, and you haven't even bought the wood for the T45s yet; do not shove the braces in too tightly! I thought jamming them in there by hand "tight enough" was NOT too tight; it was and it caused me grief. Just a word to the wise.

Please take lots of pics. DR builds are always very interesting to see. Good luck!
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Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#5 Post by Bman »

Thanks guys!

Grant, The Delta Pro 8a's are the recommended drivers. The LA-8's are the premium alternates. At least that what my plans say. :D As for the 12c's, the DR's and (eventually) the T45's will have their own amps. This rig will be just for family & friends parties/celebrations/just because events. So there's not any plans to expand beyond what I'm building. If I ever get to a point to do more, I'll just build another rig setup for that purpose (DR250's & T39's).

Thanks for the jamming tip, miked. I've got the T45 plans and am studying those, but no drivers or materials yet. At least not until the DR200's are done. I've been doing woodworking since my teens (geez, that would be over 30ish years ago), so I overplan and organize way too meticulously. But the end results are always worth the time and effort. I'll definitely be having pictures so share.
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
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miked
Posts: 1209
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:18 am
Location: San Antonio, TX

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#6 Post by miked »

That will be one heck of a "Just hanging out in the backyard" rig!! There is no kill like overkill, I always say. Come to think of it, so do most of the BFM forum members. Gee, think we've all got something in common? /high five :hyper:
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LelandCrooks
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Location: Midwest/Kansas/Speaker Nirvana
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Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#7 Post by LelandCrooks »

Nice arrays.
If it's too loud, you're even older than me! Like me.
http://www.speakerhardware.com
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Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#8 Post by Bman »

Got a day to start work on the cabs. But with all the different angles to cut, I ended up using half the day to build cutting jigs to make things easier. But when it was time to assemble, it was worth the effort.
Attachments
I'm lucky to have some nice woodworking tools. This angle gauge is one of the best inventions I've bought. Makes woodworking life so much better!
I'm lucky to have some nice woodworking tools. This angle gauge is one of the best inventions I've bought. Makes woodworking life so much better!
Built this sliding jig to help with the angles. I used carpet tape and/or tacked in a temporary fence and stops to keep things consistent.
Built this sliding jig to help with the angles. I used carpet tape and/or tacked in a temporary fence and stops to keep things consistent.
photo11.JPG
Nice consistent results.
Nice consistent results.
Built this simple tenoning jig to help cut that 57 degree cut. It bridges and rides on the table saw fence.
Built this simple tenoning jig to help cut that 57 degree cut. It bridges and rides on the table saw fence.
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
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Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#9 Post by Bman »

(Cont.)
Attachments
With the piece clamped vertically, and the blade set to 33 degrees...
With the piece clamped vertically, and the blade set to 33 degrees...
... you get a nice 57 degree cut.
... you get a nice 57 degree cut.
End of day one with most of the throat horn assemblies.
End of day one with most of the throat horn assemblies.
They are squared and temporarily tacked with a pin nailer to my work table.
They are squared and temporarily tacked with a pin nailer to my work table.
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
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Grant Bunter
Posts: 6912
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:12 am
Location: Ilfracombe Queensland Australia
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Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#10 Post by Grant Bunter »

Thanks for the explanation. Serious party rig, love it!

Something tells me there's a couple of epic build threads coming up...
Built:
DR 250: x 2 melded array, 2x CD horn, March 2012 plans.
T39's: 4 x 20" KL3010LF , 2 x 28" 3012LF.
WH8: x 6 with melded array wired series/parallel.
Bunter's Audio and Lighting "like"s would be most appreciated...
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Titanium Hand
Posts: 559
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:32 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#11 Post by Titanium Hand »

You're a neat operator Bman. Got some handy tools too! Looking like a clean build.
Built 2 x T39 Lab 12 loaded 457mm wide, 29inch Wide Dual Lab 12 Loaded T60 and 2 x OTop 112 2512 Melded. Powered by N.I.TRAKTOR Pro 2.6 (2.6.1 has too many issues) TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Crown XTi2000
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miked
Posts: 1209
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:18 am
Location: San Antonio, TX

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#12 Post by miked »

Titanium Hand wrote:You're a neat operator Bman. Got some handy tools too! Looking like a clean build.
X2! Guy absolutely knows what he's doing and it shows. Rock on, BMan, and keep the pics coming!
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Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#13 Post by Bman »

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I've had the plans and have been studying them for about 4 months now, so I've had time to drool and prepare (reading everyone else building and having fun). Finally got (scraped and saved) the funding to proceed.

Did the four-letter word thing today (work) but got some time early in the morning before work and afterwards to have some cab build time. Not sure if the neighbors appreciated the early start up but most of them were leaving for their early commute, anyway.

So here's what's been done so far today...
Attachments
Throat horn assembly trimmed and clean up to size.
Throat horn assembly trimmed and clean up to size.
Working on the baffle and the woofer spacer.
Working on the baffle and the woofer spacer.
photo20.JPG
Throat horn and baffle assembled.
Throat horn and baffle assembled.
Backside of the Eminence LA-8 CNMB bad boy!
Backside of the Eminence LA-8 CNMB bad boy!
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
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Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#14 Post by Bman »

(Cont.)
Attachments
Front side of the LA-8.
Front side of the LA-8.
Since these are premium drivers, I wanted a better and heftier mount for them. I like these types of inserts. They are more secure, especially when mounted from the back side. Just make sure the drilled holes are straight and perpendicular.
Since these are premium drivers, I wanted a better and heftier mount for them. I like these types of inserts. They are more secure, especially when mounted from the back side. Just make sure the drilled holes are straight and perpendicular.
Install with a hex key. Interesting thing, they are 1/4"-20 threads but use a 6mm hex to drive them in.
Install with a hex key. Interesting thing, they are 1/4"-20 threads but use a 6mm hex to drive them in.
Because of the aggressive body threads, they seat and grab very well.
Because of the aggressive body threads, they seat and grab very well.
Used a 1/4"-20 x 2" hex bolt with a washer and split lock washer. Definitely heavy duty.
Used a 1/4"-20 x 2" hex bolt with a washer and split lock washer. Definitely heavy duty.
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
Top
User avatar
Bman
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:22 pm
Location: Murrieta, CA (SoCal)

Re: Journey - DR200 Build

#15 Post by Bman »

(Cont.)
Attachments
The bolts are a tad long, but better that than too short. Since, the insert is almost the full length of the hole, with this long of bolt, there's a massive amount of thread area to secure the driver.
The bolts are a tad long, but better that than too short. Since, the insert is almost the full length of the hole, with this long of bolt, there's a massive amount of thread area to secure the driver.
One of the LA-8's installed. I also ticked marked the drivers along their edges to help match up with the center lines on the spacer and baffle.
One of the LA-8's installed. I also ticked marked the drivers along their edges to help match up with the center lines on the spacer and baffle.
================
Built:
1 - 16” TAT; 1 - 24” T24, BP-102
2 - DR200s, melded array
2 - 24" T45s, Lab12
2 - SLA Pros, 4/4
(My HT)
1-T18; 2-TLAH 9/12(standing); 1-Curved SLA 6/6; 2-SLA 4/0; 2–SLA 2/0;
For Work
1-T18; 2-SLA 4/6 :D
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