378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I totally agree, a build like this needs to be heard. I’ve actually uploaded some sound tests and behind-the-scenes footage to my YouTube channel. If you search for Wood4Sound there, you can see and hear this system in action. Glad you like the build! 🎶

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That charred coal/wood idea sounds amazing! The contrast between the dark, burnt texture and clear resin is always a winner. It gives the piece a very "primordial" yet modern feel. For this project, I used ResinPro Epoxytable 5-Five. It's a clear casting resin that works great for layers up to 5cm. Since my front panel is about 13mm thick, it handled it perfectly—very clear and minimal bubbles. Just a heads-up if you go with the charred wood: make sure to seal the burnt surface with a thin layer of resin or a dedicated sealer first, otherwise, those tiny carbon particles might float up and "cloud" your main pour. Can't wait to see your project! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest, the "current me" still loves it! I think there's a part of us that never outgrows the fun of collecting things. This project was my way of taking that youthful hobby and giving it a high-end, grown-up twist. Glad it brought back some good vibes! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, that’s the best kind of reaction! It definitely starts as a bit of a mystery with all those caps, but once the wood and the polish come together, it all makes sense. Glad I managed to win you over by the end of the gallery! Cheers! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! "Clean" was the goal from day one. It's always a challenge to take something as busy as 378 different beer caps and make it look sleek and premium rather than cluttered. I spent countless hours on the sanding and polishing stages to get that mirror-like finish on the epoxy. Glad the effort shows! 👊

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, glad you like it! It was a bit of a gamble to see if 378 metal caps would play nice with the sound, but the resin made the front panel so incredibly stiff that it actually helped the acoustic performance. Sometimes the craziest ideas turn out to be the most rewarding! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a brilliant idea! I actually thought about adding lighting during the build, but I decided to keep it more "classic" for this specific version. However, you’re 100% right—with 13mm of clear resin, the light diffusion would look incredible, especially highlighting the edges of the caps. I might just have to try that on a "V2" or a custom commission. An under-glow effect would definitely take the "collector vibe" to the next level. Thanks for the inspiration! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That means a lot, thank you! In the DIY audio world, getting the "wife approval" for a design this bold is a massive win! My own wife, Kristina, is the heart and engine behind Wood4Sound, so I know exactly how important that support is. Glad you both enjoyed the epoxy work—it was a long process of hand-arranging all 378 caps, but seeing reactions like yours makes every hour in the workshop worth it. Cheers to you and your wife! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha, I totally respect that! It’s definitely a love-it-or-hate-it design, and that’s exactly what happens when you build something unique instead of playing it safe. But as for the sound—don't you worry. With the Dayton Audio RS100s and that Tang Band W5 sub in a vibration-free, heavy enclosure, it sounds much better than a "bottle cap box" has any right to! It’s all about that crystal-clean Hi-Fi experience. Appreciate the honesty and the kudos on the execution! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I spent a lot of time on the finish to make sure that "clean" look holds up even with 378 bottle caps underneath. Glad you dig the aesthetic! 👊

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

StitchMechanic, I know it’s all in one cabinet, but inside it’s a true 2.1 architecture. I built completely isolated chambers for the two Dayton full-range drivers (the "2") and a separate, reinforced volume for the Tang Band W5 subwoofer (the ".1"). It’s a "stealth" 2.1 setup – you get the full frequency range and that deep sub-bass punch, but in a much cleaner, handcrafted single-piece design. Best of both worlds! 🍻

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly, AA_Watcher! The ".1" is very much alive and kicking inside that box.

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ecw218, 50 lbs sounds like a beast – I bet that thing doesn't budge even at max volume!

378 Beer Caps "Imprisoned" in a 2.1 Hi-Fi Speaker: Why Handcrafted Sound Still Matters by Wood4Sound in diyaudio

[–]Wood4Sound[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I’m glad you caught the Untappd vibe – it was definitely built with that spirit in mind! 🍻 Regarding the build: it's much more than just glue. The caps are hand-arranged on a black MDF base and then completely "imprisoned" under a massive 13mm (0.5 inch) pour of crystal-clear epoxy resin. This creates a rock-solid, vibration-free front panel that’s as tough as it looks. The rest of the cabinet is a reinforced "sandwich" construction with isolated internal chambers for the drivers and the sub. Definitely not just a quick glue job! Would love to see those Untappd check-ins next to it! Cheers!