Initial impression: Adire Extremis 6.8

Damping material will do nothing unless your walls are very thin and flop around (ie sheet metal in cars).  All it does is lower the resonant point below the pass band of the system.  However if you are using proper materials for your enclosure, the resonances are already below that point anyway.  I recommend just using the Acousta-stuff material and make sure it is in the center of the enclosure.  Placing it along the walls does very little as the air speed is greatly reduced due to friction. 

I know that DYohn doesn't like it, but we buy pillows for our enclosures.  This is because we can order them in the specific weight we need and just throw the pillows in the enclosure.  It is much easier to store and distribute. 

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

Ok, thanks for that.  I hear all kinds of crazy sh*t during my trolling at madisound and diyaudio.  (Multiple layers of 3/4" MDF, sandwiching sand, dynamat, etc between boxes, using cement, fiberglassing, etc.)

Well they are correct with some of that stuff as it makes the enclosure more rigid.  It greatly reduces the flexing of the walls of the enclosure, which is a good thing.  However lining with mass loading pannels doesn't make the walls any more rigid, so it is a waste of money IMO.  

DYohn, I hope you don't think I'm saying you are wrong about Acousta-stuff.  You are correct in that it is supperior.  However from a production standpoint we found that the pillows were easier and gave close to the same performance.  That was all.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

Not at all!  I was serious about "whatever works."  In really critical applications, however, I suggest using real combed wool, actually... and there is some radioactive stuff designed to prevent mold and bugs that works real well but it's illegal in the USA... using actual pillows are an intrigung idea, but I'll bet their relative rigidity makes their damping factor higher than using loose polyfill, and the cover could make a difference too... sounds like another experiment!

Hmm... Makes me want to DIY a 3 way system for my accord...only if I had the money.. :(

Oh, but there is a way that is not only legal but perfectly safe if used as directed.  Use boric acid dust formulation (available by the bottle at your local drugstore) mixed thoroughly with the animal hair.  The borates will kill the moths and beetles that would feed on the wool, and stays active indefinitely.   A mineral, not a chemical, it remains an effective insect killer because there is no volatility.  Wear a respirator or dust mask outdoors while mixing it into the wool (it will be dusty).  And wash your clothes separately.  Bag the treated wool in a plastic bag and use when needed.  And I would go so far as to say:  use it in sealed enclosures only.

Mold is not treated for like this....but if the air is so wet that mold spores can grow then the speaker will be ruined anyway, I would think. 

I just now thought this treatment up and haven't seen it written of before.  We (in the pest control industry) do, however, use treated mineral fibers for insulation.  But this application is unique.  The post above gave me the idea.  So, opportunists, feel free to contact me for rights to produce.  As this is published today, consider it Patent pending!

Did I stray O.T.?  lol

Ok, I just finished the set that is going in my boss's house.  It is very similar to the 261, however it uses a less expensive tweeter than the Usher.  But it is voiced the same.  After listening to them for the last hour and a half, I want to change my previous recommendation to you.  I recommend you getting the 261's for now and see how you like them without a sub.  I really don't think you need one for music.  They are that incredible in their bass response.  I tortured them with some bass cd's, the 5th element soundtrack,  Mickey Hart; Planet Drum, and other bass heavy tracks.  They are the first 6.5" based speaker system that will resonate your chest cavity.  We use a 3" port for a reason after all.   But I say save yourself some money and listen to them first without a sub.

I do want to get someone on here to take a listen and give their objective opinion on these things.  But I truely am blown away.  They sound better all around than even the Wilson Watt Puppies I demoed ($20k speakers).  The ambient sounds are very much enveloping, the imaging is right on and even extends a little beyond the speakers, and they just aren't fatiguing to listen to; even at very high output levels.  I was going to wait to build these for my apartment.  But now I can't wait.  I have to have these things.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

Well that's too bad. Can you imagine how rigid your enclosure would be if you had to line it in lead?

And becides, it's not like my kids aren't going to turn out as freaks anyway having my genes.  So why not have some fun with it?

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio