www.audioexcite.com

“After a disappointing project building the Seas iDunn kit, I still felt there was much more quality to get out of the DXT tweeter from Seas. I came across the Prestigious Two design and immediately like the simplicity of it, especially in the cross-over section. I ordered the U16. I heard many good things about it and of course, another project on your hands is always fun and exciting. I 1st built a prototype cabinet, to see if the sound of the Prestigious Two was more what I was looking for.

The 1st time I turned the music on, I was quite for probably 15 minutes. I just could not get enough listening to my favourite records all over again. This configuration is so well balanced and the cross-over section is simply perfect. You never think you listen to a woofer and a tweeter separately, it sounds like one. The phase behaviour is probably what I like most. Across the entire frequency range, it sounds aligned. The U16 gives very decent bass performance, the highs are very subtle without every sounding harsh. But the mid’s is really where this design shines. Voices sound incredible precise. This design puts a smile on my face every day.

After the prototype, I started to work on the final cabinets. I used multiplex frames and laminated them on top, with a separate baffle mounted to the front. This construction is super-strong and the ellipse-shape looks very nice (I understand this is personal).

Goran provides several options to shape the tweeter-response, so you can fine-tune as much as you like. I choose to damp the tweeter level just a little bit. I can listen to this sound all day long and never get bored or tired. Also, as there is only one capacitor in the tweeter signal-path, experimenting with different brands is still affordable. I currently have a Janzen Silver Z-Cap and it sounds very nice.

And if I want to change it, you don’t have to break the bank.

The speakers do need a bit of power to come alive. I have paired up these speakers with a Holton Precision Audio amplifier-kit and this was a major step up from my Hypex UcD amplifiers. I highly recommend building this as well.

Thanks Goran for this fun design!”

Cheers,

Stefan

Dear Goran,

This weekend I completed the build and installation of your crossover mod 1.5 in my 685 speakers. As it was my first DIY speaker project I had a few surprises along the way, the worst of which was a stripped screw on my left speaker. But it the end I extracted the stripped screw and the modifications was successful.

My initial impressions of the modification are  favorable. The speakers seem quite balanced at the lower crossover frequency. They keep the fast, quick response that I always liked about the speakers. Also, the high treble sound from the tweeter seems much less fatiguing.

There still isn’t a lot of bass when I play them on stands in my living room, but my primary use is in my music teaching studio attached to a computer and a Yamaha keyboard system. For this the added accuracy and driver integration is quite valuable.

I’ve attached a few pictures from the repair, I hope you find my initial steps in diy modification a bit entertaining. I used a crossover board from Parts express, this helped my visualize the circuit. My last attempts at building circuits were from model rocketry when I was a kid, so getting the solder gun out again was a lot of fun. If you had any thoughts on how i laid out the crossover, or suggested resources for improving my skills for future projects I love to hear them. For now, I think the project was a success.

I’ve sent a small donation to your website. Thanks again for your correspondence and for sharing your detailed work online. In the future I may be interested in trying one of your Dayton Audio enclosure speaker designs, I’m especially interested in the Prestigious Two Monitor DXT and may aim to make it a summer project.

Best wishes,

Phil

Hello Göran,

I have already finished the prestigious two monitor and I am very happy with its sound.
Currently I am trying the different crossover options – this is not so easy, because it’s depends on the connected amplifier.

Thanks for your support. I honored it with a little donations.

Kind regards,
/K

Hi Goran,

The sequences-two are beautiful, airy, accurate. World class. TOP. During the first phase of listening, my son who is a pianist was impressed.

Small but great sound. It’s absolutely wonderful.

Really thank you.

Axel

Hello Göran,

I am sorry that I didn’t send you better photos earlier. Unfortunately, my photo camera broke and I still didn’t get it from repair. I’ll send you photos I made with my mobile phone.

Regarding the speakers, I am really satisfied with the sound. If some one else tries to build this project and makes nice, good looking  cabinets, I think the satisfaction will be even better for this amount of money. I succeeded with help of your project.

Thank you again for all help and suggestions. I would highly recommend this project to anyone.

Best regards,

Joze (Slovenia)

Hi Göran,

I have contacted you some time ago regarding bass reflex length for
Revelation Two monitor (although I’m using 13.5l option right now).
I have almost finished built and am listening to these speakers right
now so I can share my opinion. I have already built similar project
(Ellam-XT by Troels Gravesen) so I can compare both (although not
directly).

Overall I agree with your sound description. Bass/mids are similar to
these in Elam XT but tweeter is more forward sounding (I’m using 0
db reference level). I think the best way to describe differences
between your project and Ellam XT is to say that it’s
“brighter”. Your project is also more sensitive which can be
heard.

Vifa XT25TG tweeters were better suited for my taste (which doesn’t
mean D2608/913000 is bad) but everything else is as good or better in
your project.

I understand that you prefer to use prefabricated cabinets but I’m
the woodworking guy and building these cabinets were as important (and
fun) for me as listening to finished speakers.

Cabinets are made from MDF (top and bottom are around 22mm, front is
32mm and back is even thicker) and multiple layers of bent 3mm HDF on
sides (overall 18mm). These are finished with Bloodwood veneer and
polyurethane to high gloss.

Crossover were made with Jantzen Standard Z-caps, Jantzen SUPERES and
Jantzen Wire air coils. Internal cables are made from silver plated
copper but I don’t think it makes any difference. Cable terminals
are rhodium plated purely for aesthetic reasons.

I need to finish polishing (with pre sanding) them and make front
grills/stands but right now polyurethane is seasoning and will be for
some time so I thought I will give you my response. I will update you
with photos of finished speakers as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Rafal (Poland)

AudioExcite Note! Since the baffle layout is somewhat modified compared to the original design, the tweeter frequency response will be slightly different than in the “Revelation Two – Monitor” design.

Update! 2014-07-29

(click on picture to zoom)

 It took a while but here are promised photos of finished speakers (feel free to publish them on your website if you want). Unfortunately I have had no time to do any measurements (I still plan to do them when time permits).

I don’t think these are “too bright” anymore, maybe it’s just me getting used to new sound or speakers are “burning in” it don’t really matter anyway.

I’m really happy with them and the only reason to upgrade for me will be to build something bigger … but probably not for another few years.

This doesn’t mean I’m quitting diy for a few years, I’m almost done with front grills for these (ala Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento), and next I’m building “clone” of Accuphase E-450 amplifier.

Sincerely,
Rafal (Poland)