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zippty2001
09-22-2009, 10:07 AM
hello i just got some rta 11tls.. that have not been treated well. the speakers are good but the cabinet is bad. i was thinking about building a new cabinet. wanted to see if any one has any ideas on how to make it better than stock. and want to know what woods make good boxes. i have a buddy who is a woodworker that can help me with the box but he don't know any thing about audio. thanks for all the help if you need any more info let me know.
dane_peterson
09-22-2009, 10:29 AM
I would not build new cabinets if I were you... they were designed specifically to mate with the drivers. If you ensured the cu.ft. was exactly the same, it might not be a big deal... but definitely not worth the work IMO.

You're better off stripping the current cabinets and refinishing. I have a pair of naked RTA11 cabinets in my basement that I'd GIVE away. Purchase some veneer and do a little research, and you can have them looking better than new in no time.
skrol
09-22-2009, 12:14 PM
Where are you located? I saw some RTA11T cabinets for sale on CL in Baltimore. They look decent.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/1386000564.html
Face
09-22-2009, 12:18 PM
Keep the front baffle the same width and height, also make sure the internal volume is the same.

For improvements, more bracing could be added. Also some foam or fiberglass behind the mids only.

Materials, use 3/4" MDF or 18mm void free Baltic Birch. Do not use regular birch or regular plywood.
dane_peterson
09-22-2009, 01:02 PM
Where are you located? I saw some RTA11T cabinets for sale on CL in Baltimore. They look decent.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/1386000564.html

He's in Indiana.
mjcmt
01-15-2010, 01:27 PM
Definitely, build new cabinets keeping the same internal volume ast this matches the drivers vMax. You can build a better cabinet using 3/4" - 1" mdf and make it modern w/o the front and rear lip. Use internal bracing that Polk did not do( take volume into account when adding internal bracing). Rewire the drivers to x-over using better wire. Use floor spikes instead of the base Polk used. You will have a better sounding speaker and the pride of a DIY project.