OT: Project Kit61

Check out my gallery here: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/modules.php?set_albumName=albus40&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php I just finished the Exodus/Adire Kit61. The stands aren't sanded or painted yet. The exterior was painted with speckle spray over multiple layers of primer and covered with a clear matte coat for protection. It was super easy and cheap and was a good way for a non-artsy person like myself to make a wife pleasing speaker. Her command: "no black MDF boxes!" I used double binding posts in the back to allow for easy migration to bi-amping in the future. The crossover is located in the speaker stand. The insides were braced per the Kit61 specification and then double coated with Cascade audio damping spray. I had a few learning experiences along the way that resulted in minor things I would change about the speaker (the countersink depth for the Extremis is a tad shallow and the diameter is a tad large). Only "speaker people" would notice up-close, so it isn't that big of a deal. Next time I build speakers I will create a test baffle to ensure the correct measurements. The sound is awesome. XBL^2 is the real deal and the Extremis drivers show it off very well. It is quite shocking to hear such complete and seamless sound from a bookshelf speaker. The bass to these speakers is just there; right there. It isn't bloated or boomy or separated like all consumer sub/sat systems I've heard. It is accurate. It is deep. It is blends seamlessly into the stereo image. They sound great playing every type of music. The Usher tweeter exceeded my expectations. It isn't the -most- airy tweeter I've ever heard, but it is pretty smooth and defined and stays that way even at high volume levels. No complaints. The gem, of course, is the Extremis driver. At my normal listening levels (and beyond) I have yet to hear this thing sound strained. These were a definite upgrade over my polk towers. Bravo Exodus / Adire. (Now I have this evil urge to move these to the rear and build some LCR's). Two negatives: (1) these guys eat power. I was using a 20 year old Sony <25 watt amplifier during the pre-solder crossover testing. Yeah, I know, no one would really use such a beast, but I really had to move that knob before I acheived room filling sound. While this won't be a concern for most people listening to stereo music, those running some HT receivers might be a tad concerned - especially if all-channels-driven power is rather low. See this report. My aging Onkyo Integra 165x2, thankfully, doesn't have any problems really moving these speakers. That said, the Integra has some watt meters and the needle hits notches at moderate listening levels with the Kit that would be ear-hurting driving my old polk towers. (2) Rap is my least favorite kind of music, so this one doesn't bother me at all, but I thought I'd share. The bass is so clean, tight, and non-subwoofer-boomy that some Rap music sounds odd. I shouldn't say odd, but just different. I think a lot of rap music thrives on the dirty, boomy, and relatively hot bass. The Kit spits out clean, tight, and balanced bass. Rap fans still might want to invest in a separate subwoofer. On that note also, you'd still probably want a subwoofer when using these for HT. Since my amplifier is adequate and because I don't like rap much, these aren't really negatives for me. Steven, thanks for keeping me focused on the Exodus kits and for recommending them. Kevin at DIYCable is awesome and gave me great and very polite communication and support from the minute I placed my order. He should be a highly valued Adire affiliate.New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

I heard the KIT61 at the CES, and I too, was impressed. All you say of these systems is true. The bass is VERY good - surprising, really, for a 6 inch driver. The power hungry aspect to which you refer is the one reason I am a bit scared to put these in an aperiodic system, especially in the car. Their efficiency is too low, as well as the power handling, to cause them that kind of hit in the output arena. I am willing to perhaps give it a try, but I may build a living-room breadboard type of situation first, before dedicating the effort to the full-blown car system...It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Yes, after experiencing how power hungry these really are I may scratch that AP idea. Add the noise floor of the car into the picture and you're talking some power to get the Extremis rocking in the AP enclosure. Ported enclosure in-door anyone? ;-) I wish I had the skills for that. New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Nice job on those speakers, kfr01.  I like that finish.  Sometimes the S.A.F. can lead us to greater things!

I would give it a try if I were attempting to rejuvenate a 25-year old amplifier where oxidation has taken its toll...but not on a new circuit board.  But then, I don't have a can of it either...so who knows what I'd do?  lol