Ebony Lsi9's [Archive]

nikolas812

08-27-2008, 04:51 PM

$500.00 plus shipping add 4% for Paypal.

Theres a couple nicks on one of them. I don't know how they got there. They were there when I got them. The seller said there was one small nick. Turned out to be three.:rolleyes:

In the third picture there looks like there is a long scratch. Theres not! Its just a reflection from a windex streek.

By the way they are very dirty in the pics also.:o I was just too lazy to clean them up for the pics.

The other one is perfect.

They both sound great and work as they should.

I don't have any of the original boxes or manuals.

If your interested let me know.

Thanks

Nick

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0131.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0127.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0128.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0130.jpg

nikolas812

08-28-2008, 08:21 PM

After seeing what these are going for on ebay and other places. I feel I should lower the price on these given the condition of the speakers.

By the way. The pictures make them look a lot worse than they are. The nicks on the front you can't even notice with the grills on or off. I can also touch these up for anybody that purchases them. I might just go ahead and do that and get some new pictures taken of them all cleaned up.

So more pics to come.....

As for the price.. I am now asking $400.00 plus shipping and no paypal fees.

Cheers

Nick

nikolas812

08-28-2008, 09:01 PM

New pics.:)

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0132.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0133.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0140.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0135.jpg

MKZ

08-28-2008, 09:05 PM

I never seen the price this low for LSi9. What's your next speakers you have in mind Nick?

nikolas812

08-28-2008, 09:12 PM

Onix Strata Mini

http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,34/category_id,18/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

mhartman29

08-28-2008, 10:29 PM

Nice upgrade. I hear minis are awesome!!

nikolas812

08-28-2008, 10:39 PM

Nice upgrade. I hear minis are awesome!!

I hope.

I am still undecided yet between these two.

Magnepan 1.6
Onix Strata Mini

Cheers

Nik

GEBBY44

08-29-2008, 01:05 AM

Holy cow, that is a great price for the 9's. Go for the Strata's. I haven't heard the 1.6, but what I heard from the Strata's using solid state gear was incredible. I just purchased a pair of Rocket RS-850's and they sound great, but the Strata is just the best speaker for the price they go for. If looks weren't a concern at my house, the Strata's would have been mine. They are an incredible speaker like all Onix/av123. DO IT!

SlowcarIX

08-29-2008, 03:10 AM

I hope.

I am still undecided yet between these two.

Magnepan 1.6
Onix Strata Mini

Cheers

Nik

ever consider the eminent tech lft 8?

SolidSqual

08-29-2008, 10:00 AM

That's another great speaker worth considering Nik. You have the ribbons like a maggie 1.6 and the boxed driver like a strata.

nikolas812

08-29-2008, 11:03 AM

There out of my price range. The prices most of these speakers are going for I could spend a little bit more and get the Emeralds.

But right now I am considering throwing everything I have in the my pond and getting a Bose Lifestyle system.:rolleyes:

Nick

MKZ

08-29-2008, 11:11 AM

nikolas812

08-29-2008, 10:32 PM

These are no longer for sale.

For now........

daboyz

08-30-2008, 12:10 AM

I tried:(

nikolas812

08-30-2008, 09:22 AM

Well..... Since my thread has been appropriately moved. I will go ahead and keep posting in the thread.

Heres whats happened. I have decided to keep the Lsi's for just a little while longer. While I have them I have decided to rip the old black wood siding off the sides and replace with real maple. My dad is having a house built right now and they were putting in the cabinets last night. Which happened to be real maple. Well... They looked absolutely gorgeous. So I ran up to my house and pulled a panel off one of the Lsi's and brought it the cabinet maker. I asked him if he could make four identical side panels in the same wood used for my dads cabinets. He said no problem. So now I am just waiting to get my new panels. I already have one speaker stripped of its old panels. I still have to do the other today. It is not easy at all! Hence I only got one done last night.

I wonder if anybody else has done this? I know I remember seeing a thread where somebody stripped some Lsi15's. But nothing where somebody has replaced the old wood with better looking wood, or at least better looking IMO. I am hoping to have a one of a kind pair of Lsi9's. Either way I don't guess it matters. I think it will look amazing though.

I'll post pictures of the process as soon as I take some.

Cheers

Nick

Early B.

08-30-2008, 09:27 AM

Looking forward to seeing the pics. Once you upgrade the crossovers, you'll virtually have a brand new pair of speakers.

ben62670

08-30-2008, 09:43 AM

You should just Karma the 9's. I'd like to start with IN Please:D

SolidSqual

08-30-2008, 11:32 AM

This could be a good move Nik. You might be able to get even more when you sell them . . . OR, you could keep them as a kind prize for so much hard work.

nikolas812

08-30-2008, 01:24 PM

This could be a good move Nik. You might be able to get even more when you sell them . . . OR, you could keep them as a kind prize for so much hard work.

That was exactly what I was thinking.

If I did sell them. I might get more for them.

I also thought if I could keep them. They would work great in a bedroom setup.

Nick

nikolas812

09-13-2008, 07:36 PM

OK heres where were at as of today.

I am still waiting for my Maple Side panels to be done.

So while waiting I decided to strip down the Lsi 9's and repaint them. They had a couple of chips on them anyway. I was also not a fan of the lack luster paint job Polk put on them to begin with. So I have striped them down and repaired any chips that there were and also repaired some marks I made in the wood while taking the old panels off. You would never see the marks I put in them once the new panels are installed. But I would know they were there and it would bug the hell out of me. I have also applied 5 coats of high build primer to the cabinets.

Tomorrow I will block the primer and then spray a coat of primer sealer on them. Then I will apply the base coat of black. Next I will apply 5 coats of clear. Once the clear cures over night I will wet sand the clear to level off the Orange peal created by the clear and buff to a mirror finish that is so deep you could get lost in it.

There going to look amazing! I think the paint job will compliment the new panels nicely.

I will post pics of everything.

Heres some from today.

Cheers

Nick

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0153.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0154.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0155.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0156.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0157.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0158.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0159.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0160.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0161.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0162.jpg

ben62670

09-13-2008, 07:42 PM

Can I come and play too!
Damn son you are not messing around. As I was reading I was getting scared thinking this fool is going to royally screw up a nice par of speakers! All I have to say after seeing the pics is carry on:)

Face

09-13-2008, 07:44 PM

Very cool, keep the pictures coming!

SolidSqual

09-13-2008, 08:18 PM

Wow Nick, times like this make me wish I followed my Dad's lead and went into carpentry instead of Law. I give you serious props. That not only takes balls, but patience and talent.

By the way, this is not the first time Nick has done a spectacular paint job: Artillery of Sound (http://www.artilleryofsound.com/Site/Amplifiers/Amplifiers.html)

nikolas812

09-13-2008, 10:43 PM

Thanks for the kind words!;)

I love to see and take pictures so there will be plenty to come.

I should have them done by Monday. Except for the side panels. So I will have pics to come tomorrow and Monday for sure.

Cheers

nikolas812

09-15-2008, 10:16 PM

Well.... I've had some technical difficulties. Not having any power being the main one. I happen to be 1 of 500,000 people without electricity right now. We are fortunate enough to have a generator or I wouldn't be typing this right now. Hurricane Ike knocked down around 5000 power lines and left a half a million people in the dark..... In Indiana and Kentucky!:eek: I don't know exactly how may miles away Indiana is from the ocean but I am sure its quite a bit. And we still got 70+ mph winds. I had never seen anything like it. We spent most of the day cleaning up the yard and cutting up trees.

They said it could be 10-14 days before our electric could be turned back on.:(

Meanwhile the Lis9's sit in the garage patiently waiting.

I managed to get them both blocked and ready to be sprayed before the power went out Sunday.

So as soon as the power is back on I'll get back to them. I took a couple of pics but they don't look much different than they did before. So I see no need in posting them.

Once I make some more progress I'll post more pics.

Cheers

Nick

SlowcarIX

09-15-2008, 10:26 PM

eep...i'm flying out to vincennes in 6am tomorrow morning and driving to louisville ky in the evening....hope its not affected :eek:

nikolas812

09-15-2008, 10:39 PM

I don't know what you have to do in Louisville. But its fucked. It got hit the worst of all. If you have business to do or something. Good luck.

You might want to check on the airport status also. I am pretty sure they said flights are good in and out. But if you have business to do in town it might be a problem. Gas stations with electric are far and few between. And the ones that are up and running are a mad house. And that goes for all the local businesses to.

You might try to find a way to check the status of things you planned to do here.

If you were just catching a flight out of Louisville you should be fine though. The airport should be good to go.

Nick

mmadden28

09-15-2008, 10:43 PM

Holy Optical illusions Batman, in some of those pics (2nd abd 4th from last) the table looks like its floating in midair.
Nice project.

You gonna upgrade your XOs while thier out? :D;)

nikolas812

09-15-2008, 10:55 PM

You gonna upgrade your XOs while thier out? :D;)

Nope.... I can't justify it. I would just assume buy better speakers. And that is exactly what I plan to do. Been planning to do actually. Just trying to get all my ducks in a row right now.

EDIT: Holy Crap!! You're right! I just noticed thouse pictures.:eek:

Cheers

Nick

mmadden28

09-15-2008, 11:07 PM

...

EDIT: Holy Crap!! You're right! I just noticed thouse pictures.:eek:

...

Its eerie.

So how do the side panels come off (and no I'm not even thinking of trying it) ?

sucks2beme

09-15-2008, 11:14 PM

You'd think a guy that could float tables in the air could do magic with his
crossovers.:D

dorokusai

09-15-2008, 11:15 PM

Nik - Great work and please keep posting pictures.

In regards to the finish from Polk...it could be better based on the source. The piano gloss on my Quad rig is deep and just plain awesome.

Face

09-16-2008, 01:58 AM

Nope.... I can't justify it. I would just assume buy better speakers. And that is exactly what I plan to do. Been planning to do actually.
But crossover mods WILL make them BETTER speakers. ;)

nikolas812

09-16-2008, 12:00 PM

But crossover mods WILL make them BETTER speakers. ;)

I understand that it might make them better.....

But I am ready to venture away from Polk. Polk makes a great speaker for the price. But I think you can only go so far with them. I will always own a pair of Polk's. But I don't think they will ever be in the Dedicated 2 channel rig. Maybe a Bedroom rig or a HT rig. But not my 2 channel rig.

Nick

nikolas812

09-16-2008, 12:08 PM

Its eerie.

So how do the side panels come off (and no I'm not even thinking of trying it) ?

I wouldn't recommend anybody trying it. It is way to easy for someone to mess up the cabinets beyond repair. It was obvious Polk never intended for the side panels to come off.

It took multiple flat head screw drivers a putty knife some razorblades and some plastic spreaders I use for spreading body filler on wrecked cars. And a hammer.

You have to use a putty knife to get the panels to ever so slightly separate form the cabinets. Then wedge the plastic spreader between the cabinets and the panels. Then slow go around the panels with a flat head screw driver and a hammer. Slowly working the panels loose. It was very hard work and I don't ever want to do it again!

Cheers

Nick

nikolas812

09-16-2008, 12:12 PM

Nik - Great work and please keep posting pictures.

In regards to the finish from Polk...it could be better based on the source. The piano gloss on my Quad rig is deep and just plain awesome.

Thanks!

And will do... As soon as I make more progress...

Nick

nikolas812

09-16-2008, 09:24 PM

My powers back on bitches!

Progress will begin soon. I was tempted to go out and start on them right now.

But...... I've been drinking a little. So I don't want to take any chances.

I'll resume progress tomorrow. Pics to follow.

later

Nick

dorokusai

09-16-2008, 09:47 PM

Alcohol and speaker building/refinishing go hand in hand. Get out there and plug in the power tools.

nikolas812

09-18-2008, 01:19 PM

I have applied 3 coats of base coat black. And five coats of clear. They look horrible right now because there so much much clear on them. When you put that much clear on something it just builds and builds and creates an orange peal affect. And the more you put on the worse it gets. But when wet sanded and buffed it gives you that mirror finish and deep gloss. With the amount of clear I put on them I might have to wait a couple of days to for the clear to cure before I can wet sand and buff. Its gonna be worth it!!

The pictures kind of suck. My camera doesn't like fluorescent lighting for some reason. Once I get them back together I will take some shots outside in hopes of getting some pictures that relay the quality of the paint job better.

I took a couple picture of the Paint Booth I was using in case anybody cares or would just be interested in seeing it.... I have the ability to spray at any temperature I want and I can bake the paint afterward at 180 degrees to cure the paint in 1 hour. I didn't use this feature because it cost so much in gas to use the bake mode. When only use the baking mode if we have a car that has to go out ASAP.

Cheers

Nick

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0172.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0173.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0174.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0175.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0179.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0183.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0184.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0186.jpg

ben62670

09-18-2008, 01:24 PM

Sweet. I wish I had access to a both:(

Face

09-18-2008, 01:24 PM

Looks great!

(let me know when you want to sell them)

SolidSqual

09-18-2008, 01:31 PM

Nik, I know I was against it before, but now it seems wrong to make those things look so good, and do nothing to make them sound better.

nikolas812

09-18-2008, 01:36 PM

Nik, I know I was against it before, but now it seems wrong to make those things look so good, and do nothing to make them sound better.

I'm not doing it.....

The only way I will do it is if I end up keeping them for a bedroom rig...

Nick

ohskigod

09-18-2008, 02:03 PM

I love the LSi9's and have no misgivings of making them look awesome without sonic changes.

cant wait to see them with the maple panels. that is going to be SOOOOO badass!

nikolas812

09-18-2008, 02:21 PM

I can't wait....

I agree. I think they are going to look totally badass with maple panels.

I wish the cabinet guy would show up with my damn panels.:(

Nick

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 01:50 PM

I got the top of one of the speakers done at lunch today. I'll try to get them completly done this evening.

This is not a mirror. Its the top of my speaker.:cool::D:cool:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0194.jpg

mmadden28

09-19-2008, 02:01 PM

:eek::cool:
Sweeeet!!
You'll need to handle those with kid(?) gloves.

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 02:03 PM

Trust me. They will be babied.;)

Nick

miner

09-19-2008, 03:12 PM

SolidSqual

09-19-2008, 03:18 PM

Nick! That's awesome!

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 06:14 PM

The next time you see them they will have Maple side panles on them.

Cheers

Nick

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0192.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0194-1.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0195.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0196.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0197.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0198.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0199.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0200.jpg

ben62670

09-19-2008, 06:16 PM

I think they looked better before.

miner

09-19-2008, 06:17 PM

Looking better than new

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 06:18 PM

I think they looked better before.

You gotta be kidding...:confused:

You do know I'm geting maple side panles made for them. Right? Identical to the black panels only in Maple.

Nick

SCompRacer

09-19-2008, 06:21 PM

Nice work Nick! And I know the effort it takes to accomplish that.

I'd love to have a finish like that on my speakers.

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 06:23 PM

Nice work Nick! And I know the effort it takes to accomplish that.

I'd love to have a finish like that on my speakers.

I'm glad its over......

Nick

Face

09-19-2008, 06:27 PM

Looks great!

ben62670

09-19-2008, 06:34 PM

You gotta be kidding...:confused:

You do know I'm geting maple side panles made for them. Right? Identical to the black panels only in Maple.

Nick
Sorry Bro.
I was just busting your stones:D I know how much work that took!
Looks great;)
Ben

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 06:46 PM

Sorry Bro.
LMAO I was just busting your stones:D I know how much work that took!
Looks great;)
Ben

Jeez. I was freaking out. I couldn't figure out why you said that. You didn't leave a smiley. So I didn't know you if were messing with me or not.

It actually took a lot more work than I anticipated. I was beginning to question myself wondering maybe I shouldn't have done it. But now that its over I'm glad I did.

Now I just wish I had my Panels and life would be perfect....

Cheers

Nick

ben62670

09-19-2008, 06:49 PM

It looks great. I tried to do what you did with no booth, and lacquer spray bombs. Disaster. I have done successful work, but it's a PIA.
BTW I can't wait to see the finished product:)
Ben

SolidSqual

09-19-2008, 06:49 PM

I think they look phenomenal. I wonder if the paint will have any sonic impact?

MillerLiteScott

09-19-2008, 06:53 PM

Saweeeeeeeet. I think they look great just the way they are now. I would leave them as they are. YMMV. Awesome job. Are you now going to do the x over upgrade?

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 07:23 PM

I think they look phenomenal. I wonder if the paint will have any sonic impact?

No.... I wouldn't think so..

But the funny thing is they sound better to me. I know they don't.. There must be some kind of mind thing happening. Maybe since there nice and pretty now my mind is telling me they should sound better. I dunno. But I'm glad I did it.

I did find a bunch of peanut packing in both of them.....

Cheers

Nick

nikolas812

09-19-2008, 07:26 PM

Saweeeeeeeet. I think they look great just the way they are now. I would leave them as they are. YMMV. Awesome job. Are you now going to do the x over upgrade?

Thanks.

And no I don't think I'll be doing the crossover upgrade.

If for some reason I end up keeping them for good I might.

Nick

mmadden28

09-20-2008, 12:21 AM

...
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0192.jpg

Oh look at those sickly yellow caps on that XO in the background. Put them out of thier misery already.:(

;) :p

ssssaaaaaahhhhnnnnniiiiiiiikkkkaaaaaaaapppppppssss sssss.

Hey did you hear that? I swear I heard you're tweeters talking to me right through the internet..:confused::eek:

ben62670

09-20-2008, 03:33 PM

I argee. At least do the highs!

nikolas812

10-02-2008, 06:53 PM

I argee. At least do the highs!

The thought has been crossing my mind....

My panels should be done tomorrow!!

So hopefully I will be posting some pics of some Maple Lsi9's tomorrow.:cool:

I think I might keep them. After all this hard work and money invested. I don't think I could get enough out of them to justify it.

If I keep them I might do the crossover mod....

But I don't know yet. Its still up in the air.

Nick

SolidSqual

10-02-2008, 06:57 PM

Do it!

ben62670

10-02-2008, 06:58 PM

Seriously do it.

nikolas812

10-02-2008, 07:02 PM

Jonny Red. Neat. Do it.. Do it..:D

Does anybody know what movie thats from?

Nick

nikolas812

10-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Seriously do it.

OK, OK.

I am going to need a lot of help.... I might even need a phone number Ben when the time comes. Just throwin it out there. I've never done anything this in depth electronic related.

Nick

SolidSqual

10-02-2008, 07:07 PM

Wooh hooh!

TouchOfEvil

10-02-2008, 08:26 PM

Can't wait to see em finsihed up looking great so far.

ben62670

10-02-2008, 08:31 PM

OK, OK.

I am going to need a lot of help.... I might even need a phone number Ben when the time comes. Just throwin it out there. I've never done anything this in depth electronic related.

Nick

Sent

nikolas812

10-02-2008, 08:52 PM

Sent

Thanks bud.

Its saved in my phone.

I might go ahead and place the order in a couple of days. I think I might be able to handle it. After reading your DIY thread and looking at the parts list I don't think it will be that bad. If I run into any trouble I'll give you a call.

Cheers

Nick

ben62670

10-02-2008, 09:21 PM

I am going to be out of town till Oct 13th. You can reach me via email, and I can call you.
Ben

nikolas812

10-05-2008, 08:57 PM

There done.

I am letting the glue dry over night. I will post pics tomorrow evening.

Nick

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0245.jpg

stebesplace

10-06-2008, 12:38 AM

Nice! Can't wait to see these up and running!

nikolas812

10-06-2008, 02:02 PM

Well... Here are a couple quick pics.

I'm not so sure I like them... The cabinet guy said he couldn't make them Identical to the old panels. So they turned out looking like cabinet doors stuck on the side of the speakers. The grain is also not going in the direction I wanted either. But I dunno. There starting to grow on me.

I'll take some better pics outside later. My camera sucks indoors.

Cheers

Nick

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0256.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0255.jpg

stebesplace

10-06-2008, 02:20 PM

I think I see what you mean. Would have been nice if they were more round on the edges perhaps? With the grain going vertically instead of horizontal?

nikolas812

10-06-2008, 02:58 PM

I think I see what you mean. Would have been nice if they were more round on the edges perhaps? With the grain going vertically instead of horizontal?

Correct.

You can also see where he spliced multiple boards together to make a complete board. He said he could not find solid pieces of wood in the dimensions I needed. This makes for an inconsistent looking panel.

Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now. And I am not taking them back off!!

They look a lot better than they did. Just not exactly the look I was expecting...

Nick

Ron Temple

10-06-2008, 03:01 PM

Is the dog about to take a pee on your stand :eek:.

Face

10-06-2008, 03:02 PM

Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now. And I am not taking them back off!!
I give you 2 weeks or less.

stebesplace

10-06-2008, 03:12 PM

So will you be selling or keeping them, or will time tell?

maximillian

10-06-2008, 03:52 PM

How about piano black or red all the way around?

Kex

10-06-2008, 04:14 PM

nikolas812

10-06-2008, 08:36 PM

It's normal for the end result to be different from what you expected. I would have had the same reaction as you when I saw the finish on the edges and the direction of the grain, because you're a perfectionist, and sometimes that's a good thing, but sometimes it's hard to live with your own expectations in the real world.

I bet someone who had never seen the original speakers would see these and think they are gorgeous.

I also agree with Ron: that dog is looking dangerous ...

Dude. You nailed it.

Everything you said is absolutely true. I couldn't have said it better. I am a perfectionist to some degree and I bet just about anyone that seen these speakers would think they are gorgeous. And they are.. I just have high expectations....

I haven't had a chance yet to take better pics. But I will. I had to get the dog some stuff today and didn't have time.

Later

Nick

Pinsongs

10-08-2008, 04:32 PM

That took a ton of work!! Congratulations.. I like them!

I have some LSi15's in ebony, I sometimes think about dremel sanding and changing the color if I thought I could sucessfully take it back to natural wood.

Has anyone tried this?

nikolas812

10-08-2008, 05:14 PM

Well... What do you guys think?

Despite not turning out exactly like I expected. I really do like them. A lot!!

Nick

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0259.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0260.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0261.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0262.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0263.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0264.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0265.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0266.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0267.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0268.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0269.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0270.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0271.jpg

zombie boy 2000

10-08-2008, 05:18 PM

Wow!! Those are absolutely stunning. I love natural wood and maple with speakers.

Pinsongs

10-08-2008, 05:47 PM

Awesome!

nikolas812

10-08-2008, 05:55 PM

Thanks

There are 13 pics of the speakers taken outdoors at the bottom of page three if anybody missed them.

The corssovers are next!

Cheers

Nick

SolidSqual

10-08-2008, 07:25 PM

Nice work Nick! Holy crap those look good.

Kex

10-08-2008, 07:25 PM

Here's what I think: Part of your initial disappointment probably came from the fact that

- the cabinet maker used a horizontal grain, not vertical (like the originals);
- the joins in some panels are very obvious whereas the originals, if they had any joins, were not obvious;
- the edges are more angular, whereas the originals were rounded front and back, and sloping on the top and bottom.

You also worked very hard to get the cabinets just right, and got the initial impression that the cabinet maker had taken too many shortcuts with the side panels. So, in conclusion: they are quite different.

That said, I took a look again at the similar outdoor pictures of the originals (handy shortcut here for lazy navigators that want to see them again but find their finger "too tired" to scroll back to page 1 of the thread: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=911440&postcount=3), and I think that the overall quality of finish is now superior to the originals (both the wood panels and the gloss finish ... which is simply outstanding). They are more interesting to look at, a less standard product. You have made a custom finish of very high quality, now how many can claim to own speakers like that?! Also, the dark gloss matched with the lighter maple reminds me of luxury vehicles with a black exterior and light beige leather interior: a very classy combination IMHO (and also my personal favorite). I think you can be very happy with the end result.

Are the side panels currently varnished? If not, that might be another way to add something different to the finish that could further enhance the overall aspect, if you think it might be worth it ... :eek:

Early B.

10-08-2008, 08:04 PM

...and I think that the overall quality of finish is now superior to the originals (both the wood panels and the gloss finish ... which is simply outstanding). They are more interesting to look at, a less standard product. You have made a custom finish of very high quality, now how many can claim to own speakers like that?!

Agreed. They look much better than the original. Great job.