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Hello everyone, as I am building my first T48 this week I was reading the plans. In sketchup, I saw that the speakon jacks get installed on the bottom in the sketchup plans. But how do I get the cables to the driver in the best way possible? So that the cables aren't seen, and doesn't impact performance of the speaker?

I was just wondering how others did it, so I can do it as best as possible!

Thanks in advance, Evarist.

Also, birch plywood seems to be sold out everywhere. However the dealer said maple has the same characteristics. Is maple plywood good aswell? From some reading, it should do the job aswell as its similar to birch.

Evarist2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 4:40 am Also, birch plywood seems to be sold out everywhere. However the dealer said maple has the same characteristics. Is maple plywood good aswell? From some reading, it should do the job aswell as its similar to birch.

No. You don't want a thin veneer ply. Baltic Birch has equal plies - Birch doesn't. Nor does oak, maple, etc. It's about the plies, not the species.

Evarist2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 4:40 am Also, birch plywood seems to be sold out everywhere.

'Everywhere' depends on where you live. You should add your location to your profile.

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:34 am

Evarist2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 4:40 am Also, birch plywood seems to be sold out everywhere.

'Everywhere' depends on where you live. You should add your location to your profile.

Sorry, I'll add my location. I am from Belgium, West-Flanders.

From what I know, the maple plywood has popler in them (in the core) with the outer veneers being maple. Is that a big issue?

You don't want a thin veneer ply.

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:15 am You don't want a thin veneer ply.

How do I make sure it isn't a thin veneer ply? How can I tell?

If you can't get BB, then get a plywood that has a minimum of 5 even plies (as per the plans). BB is the premium plywood to get but may be difficult to acquire.

As for the speaker wire, I found the answer on page 20 (of my plans which may be old).
Read through your plans many times, and try to understand each stage. Then, when it is time to build, you will likely have a good recollection of what is needed to be done.

Tom Smit wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:44 pm If you can't get BB, then get a plywood that has a minimum of 5 even plies (as per the plans). BB is the premium plywood to get but may be difficult to acquire.

As for the speaker wire, I found the answer on page 20 (of my plans which may be old).
Read through your plans many times, and try to understand each stage. Then, when it is time to build, you will likely have a good recollection of what is needed to be done.

Thanks for your response! I'll be reading the plans again thoroughly.

Evarist2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:29 am

Bill Fitzmaurice wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 10:15 am You don't want a thin veneer ply.

How do I make sure it isn't a thin veneer ply? How can I tell?

Thin veneer is on cabinet grade ply. All you have to do is look at the edge of the ply. The thin veneer is very obvious. Baltic birch will nine equal plies in a half inch.

This is 6 pieces all together, but you can see the 9 plies on each panel....click on the pic to make it bigger.

Bruce Weldy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:13 am
Thin veneer is on cabinet grade ply. All you have to do is look at the edge of the ply. The thin veneer is very obvious. Baltic birch will nine equal plies in a half inch.

This is 6 pieces all together, but you can see the 9 plies on each panel....click on the pic to make it bigger.

OT12 Build 012.jpg

Alright, thanks a lot for the picture! It clarifies everything. Tomorrow, we will go pick up the wood, I hope it is going to be good. Else I will have to wait 2 - 3 months for it to get back in stock.

UPDATE:
Forwaded the picture to my cousin, he says all the ply he orders looks like that, no thin veneer on the outsides.

Evarist2 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:51 am

Bruce Weldy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:13 am
Thin veneer is on cabinet grade ply. All you have to do is look at the edge of the ply. The thin veneer is very obvious. Baltic birch will nine equal plies in a half inch.

This is 6 pieces all together, but you can see the 9 plies on each panel....click on the pic to make it bigger.

OT12 Build 012.jpg

Alright, thanks a lot for the picture! It clarifies everything. Tomorrow, we will go pick up the wood, I hope it is going to be good. Else I will have to wait 2 - 3 months for it to get back in stock.

UPDATE:
Forwaded the picture to my cousin, he says all the ply he orders looks like that, no thin veneer on the outsides.

It can be called Baltic birch, Finnish birch, or Russian birch. You are a lot closer to where it's made than we are....hopefully, it's cheaper.

Bruce Weldy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:53 am It can be called Baltic birch, Finnish birch, or Russian birch. You are a lot closer to where it's made than we are....hopefully, it's cheaper.

Well it isn't much cheaper I think, don't know what the prices are over there, but for three plates (I have to use 2.5, for one T48) it will cost me between €320 and €350. It is definitely not cheap...

Evarist2 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:37 am

Bruce Weldy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:53 am It can be called Baltic birch, Finnish birch, or Russian birch. You are a lot closer to where it's made than we are....hopefully, it's cheaper.

Well it isn't much cheaper I think, don't know what the prices are over there, but for three plates (I have to use 2.5, for one T48) it will cost me between €320 and €350. It is definitely not cheap...

Yikes! It's cheaper than that here.