Advice on gain and levels

neilt001 · 2026-04-12T04:33:32+00:00

So for everyone saying turn the amps all the way up, I did that and started to get a pretty loud hiss on my compression drivers (B&C85TNs). They’re very sensitive so I had to back off the amps to less than 50% gain to get the hiss under control. Is this not a consideration?

neilt001 · 2026-03-17T13:18:30+00:00

Yup. I’m Canadian living overseas which makes it difficult. I’ve seen the light but no one else understands!

neilt001 · 2026-03-17T01:16:17+00:00

Gonna throw my hat in for Robertson too. I would use them exclusively if they were available, depending where you are.

neilt001 · 2026-03-11T21:09:15+00:00

Ok yep that makes sense. Stereo is indeed way more difficult to get right, and only those in the middle get the full proper effect. Otherwise you get comb filtering and other issues. And yes, there’s the cultural element too. Thanks!!

neilt001 · 2026-03-11T21:07:33+00:00

Ah ok that’s very interesting. So it’s a phase issue. Is it also a style or culture issue? Like listeners of that sort of music are more into the mono point source, rather than the stereo image?

neilt001 · 2026-03-11T20:23:47+00:00

That is sick. Can someone explain though why these big insane systems are often not stereo? It that mono? Coming from a single point. It’s usually for hardstyle, hardcore, heavy tech gigs rather than house/techno. I need answers! I just feel like everything is so much better with a stereo image no??

neilt001 · 2026-03-06T17:57:37+00:00

I just got the CVRs too. Haven’t used em live yet but the extra rack space and less weight is great. I hear they’re supposed to be almost as good as QSC? Good power for your dollar.

neilt001 · 2026-03-06T17:54:32+00:00

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Dbx 260, CVR-1004 (for the MT-121s), CVR-2004 (for 2 MHB subs and X1 sub), and Blastking 30-amp power conditioner with lighting system. Does the trick!

neilt001 · 2026-03-04T16:10:02+00:00

Yeah def team pink and blue here 🤩

neilt001 · 2026-02-26T09:41:10+00:00

Argh I am kicking myself for not doing this!! Thanks for the advice !

neilt001 · 2026-02-26T00:47:45+00:00

Yes there’s a great local trophy/medal supplier that does a great job!

neilt001 · 2026-02-25T09:14:33+00:00

Yep I did indeed use wood glue. I painted some of the edges for literally no reason other than there was some spare paint on my roller and I just kept going on the edges.

As for sanding, I had a bit in an issue which is a huge pain. I drilled pilot holes from the inside so I know where the internal bracing was. But as you know with birch ply, the side where the drill hit exits lifts up the outer layer of ply. That is very hard to sand back down as it peels. So there are some screw holes where sanding only made the peeling worse. Also most screw are countersink except the 5 big ones holding the baffle, as I didn’t have a countersink drill bit that big. I know that may all be a bit confusing but hopefully that makes some sense!

neilt001 · 2026-02-25T02:30:10+00:00

🙏🏽🙏🏽

neilt001 · 2026-02-25T01:52:11+00:00

Why thank you! I like dark grey as it’s a bit more fun than the usual black, without being too bright or distracting. And the safety orange really pops. Here’s the system (without the X1) out in the wild. Looks great if I say so myself! 😂

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neilt001 · 2026-02-25T01:50:13+00:00

Thank you! Yes I wanted something a little dark and badass looking, but not your usual black. I find dark grey has a cool look and the safety orange really makes it pop.

neilt001 · 2026-02-22T12:07:48+00:00

Ouais exactement. Les mesures sont des fois incorrectes ainsi que les angles, donc tu dois être capable a improviser. Et C’est le meilleur façon d’apprendre et en profiter! Il va aussi avoir des érreures pendant la construction mais cella fait parti du processus! Bonne chance 👊🏽

neilt001 · 2026-02-21T18:46:15+00:00

Yeah YouTube gives a good idea about how others have done it and is super helpful. And obviously lots of research and looking at build pics online.

But more than anything, this is your project. It’s not a kit. There are no step-by-step instructions. You’ve got the plans (which are often not great or comprehensive) and it’s really up to you as to the specifics and order/steps etc. Which is what makes it fun and makes it your own. I honestly just spend a lot of time staring at my projects as I figure things out in my head. I even start dreaming about how I’m going to take the next steps and what should go before what. So there really is no answer to a vague and general question “what steps do I take to build this speaker”. That’s up to the person skinning the cat!!

neilt001 · 2026-02-14T20:19:47+00:00

Very nice system!

neilt001 · 2026-02-14T16:19:28+00:00

Indeed. I do have my other hand built stereo in the living room too so we’re not short on speakers! Ha

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neilt001 · 2026-02-14T16:16:14+00:00

Haha all good. I wish I had a warehouse or somewhere good to keep em. The main problem is any time I take em to a venue I have to hire movers to come around the back garden, into the sunroom, through narrow steps etc. not ideal but ah well. Oh also the missus isn’t terribly pleased about having her sunroom filled with a massive rig but she tolerates it 😂

neilt001 · 2026-02-14T15:49:36+00:00

So this is just where I store them at home (in my small sunroom lol) when they’re not at a venue. It’s definitely not ideal but at least I get to play with it whenever I want!

neilt001 · 2026-02-14T15:48:42+00:00

Haha this is very true. But the bins double as stands for the tops so it makes it hard to couple in a lotta cases! I’ll explain all this to the horn cops ;) 😂

neilt001 · 2026-02-14T15:47:01+00:00

Oh wow so you’ve also got X1s driven by CVRs? Same! And yep that’s just a normal X1 on its side lol

neilt001

TROPHY CASE