ER18 build (for real this time!)

[David LR]

Looks good, Matt. I assume you epoxy the threaded inserts in place ??

Dave

[mattsk8]

Looks good, Matt. I assume you epoxy the threaded inserts in place ??

Dave

Tightbond II. Works well. Never tried epoxy though, maybe better? I haven't had a prob w/ the Tightbond... yet

[mattsk8]

Question, should I bevel the backs of the woofer cutouts on the back of the baffles like I did the backs of the statements?

[jinjuku]

Question, should I bevel the backs of the woofer cutouts on the back of the baffles like I did the backs of the statements?

Yes......thisshouldmakethemessage10characters

[mattsk8]

All the threaded inserts are in, got the port hole cut out, woofer holes are scalloped on the back side, and aside from a little sanding on the port hole (it's a little tight) everything fits . Tomorrow I'll mount the xovers to the back baffle and drill in the binding posts, then Its go time for cabinet assembly!! Hope to be listening to these on sunday....

[David LR]

Dang ! You are just too fast man, & quality too. Way to go, hope you are listening on Sunday. I also plan to bevel the backside of the woofer holes. It's not in the plans but from everything I've read, it's a good idea.

[mattsk8]

Got to work like a dog on these last weekend!!! Even got some waterskiing in on Sunday as well, was a great weekend !

Xovers mounted plus I used a screw plate so I can take everything out independantly w/out a huge mess of wires. Worked well. Originally, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to access much through the speaker holes, but that wasn't the case at all. Everything is accessible. If I ever had to replace my binding posts it would be a little frustrating though; hope that never happens!! Xovers are mounted right behind the woofers and tweeter.



Glued and clamped:



Drivers installed and even got some listening in



I should save this for later so know that this is before the port or the stuffing is in them (port hole is cut in, but port isn't in them yet); but I'll give some brief impressions.

I'm using my el'cheapo Kenwood receiver (85 watts/channel) to drive these. I'm guessing they're way underpowered for now. When I finish them they'll go in my basement and get more power.

These play bass very well, I'm impressed! I'll even say they play bass as well as the Statements (I know that's a fairly bold thing to say, but I'd need a decibal meter to know which ones have more bass). Highs are very smooth, warm, and fairly detailed. Before I make this next statement, remember that there's no stuffing or port in them yet!... I think the Satements have more definition; the Statements have an amazing ability to 'surround' me. I've never heard speakers that do that as well as the Statements. A lot of that will improve in the ER18s once the stuffing and port are in; but I have the feeling the ER18s won't rival the Statements in the detail department. This doesn't mean I'm disappointed at all in the ER18s, I'm not- they sound amazing even w/out being finished.

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything because the ER18s aren't even done yet, but thats all I'll say. I'll do a comparison thread once I get them side by side (the Statements and the ER18s). I still plan on taking them to Meniscus to get a real side by side comparison from them. Just thought I'd share my thoughts on them so far. I hope I'm not disappointing anyone building the ER18s, not my intention at all- because the ER18s sound amazing!

[jinjuku]

Thanks for the build thread and the follow up. I can't wait till you get these finished and a comparison done.

My money is still on the Statements

[David LR]

Congratulations, they look good ! The bass should improve even more with the port in. I can't quite tell from the pictures, but it looks like you did not use the shadow piece on the base, the speaker appears to be mounted straight to the floor base piece.

You're not disappointing me, I've never heard the Statements, & in any case, I think the Statements are a notch up anyway- 3 ways vs 2 ways, more money, bigger bass drivers, etc. Looking forward to hearing my own someday.

[mattsk8]

Congratulations, they look good ! The bass should improve even more with the port in. I can't quite tell from the pictures, but it looks like you did not use the shadow piece on the base, the speaker appears to be mounted straight to the floor base piece.

You're not disappointing me, I've never heard the Statements, & in any case, I think the Statements are a notch up anyway- 3 ways vs 2 ways, more money, bigger bass drivers, etc. Looking forward to hearing my own someday.

Totally agree. By the time you finish everything on the Statements (if you veneer), you're about $300-$400 more for those over the ER18s.

I didn't do the shadow piece yet. I'll do that after I get the veneer on the cabinets. Right now my ER18s are basically raw mdf, except for the cherry portion of the front baffle. I don't even have gaskets on the woofers yet, so its still entirely unfair to compare at this point. Just thought I'd throw some of my thoughts out there.

I also know they'll improve all the way around once I get the stuffing and port in them. Plus, speakers always sound waaay better once they're broke in and that usually takes a good week of pounding on them!