Troels Gravesen Illumina 66 Build Log

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by spwath, Jun 3, 2021.

  1. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Moving halfway across the country to apartment, had to say goodbye to big JBLs, time for something a bit smaller.
    http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Illumina-66.htm

    I had the tweeters laying around, so I figured I would go for these.
    I am using a simplified geometry to make build easier, but keeping angled parts to eliminate standing waves. I modeled it in Solidworks so I could calculate internal volume with all bracing in place (have not done bracing yet). Here is the basic geometry:
    upload_2021-6-4_0-38-43.png

    Next step, build a little scale model section to make sure everything is going together well, I dont have that much woodworking experience.
    [​IMG]

    So far so good, time to get the wood, got nice sheet of MDF
    [​IMG]


    A few other notes on the build

    I am using double thick front panel for rigidity.

    Also, these speakers are very very similar to YG acoustics Carmel 2.
    The tweeters all almost the same - YG uses scanspeak tweeters custom made for them, with I believe a slight difference.
    The woofers are also very similar: Same size, same basket and motor structure. Only difference I see is YG makes machined aluminum cones that they send to scanspeak to be used, while the regular scanspeak drivers use pressed aluminum cones.
    Other differences, the waveguide built into the YG speakers, crossover differences, YG have an internal resonation chamber instead of a port to outside, and of course, the YG cabinets are machined aluminum.

    Stay tuned for updates, need to finish cutting these and stuff before i move out at end of this month
     
  2. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Progress!

    Front baffle going well, tweeter flush mount looking all good. I was a bit concerned, never built speakers before, or did a flush mount, but it seems to all be going well.
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  3. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    And woofer hole cut as well, ordering woofers now to test fitment
    20210610_164747.jpg
     
  4. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Woofers arrived
    20210614_123516.jpg

    Sexy magnet structure
    20210614_123634.jpg

    Test mounted, starting to look like a speaker
    20210614_125412.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 12
    • Epic Epic x 1
    • List
  5. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2020
    Likes Received:
    1,417
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Atl
    Killer drivers! Do you have a mic and associated measurement equipment? Curious to see FR, CSD, dispersion, etc. when all is said and done.
     
  6. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Yeah I've got a minidsp mic that I use with rew. Not too informed on how to do CSD graphs and stuff but I'll look into it.
     
  7. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,758
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Jackson, Mi
    These are awesome so far. Looking forward to the finished product!
     
  8. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    People who know things about crossover design:

    I realized I accidentally bought the 8ohm woofers instead of 4 ohm. Is there anything I can do in the crossover (crossover plans here Illumina-66 (troelsgravesen.dk)) to fix it?

    Or maybe its a sign I should just go for an active DSP system?
     
  9. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2020
    Likes Received:
    1,417
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Atl
    Hmmm that's a tough one. You can get an idea of how values for a generic crossover would change here https://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Calculator/SpeakerCrossover/

    But the Illumina has a notch filter and bypass cap in addition to the basic 12db filter so you really need to be able to model it on a computer. And also you'd need to know Troels' design parameters so you can compare.

    Perhaps contact Troels for help?

    Or I suppose the easiest (if possible) thing to do is exchange the woofer.
     
  10. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Unfortunatly Madisound, where I got the woofers, says they are out of stock of the 4 ohm, and the 8 ohm too. Maybe ill try contacting them.

    Or, I could just go with an active system, as the price quote for the crossover supplies, cabinet damping, wires, binding posts, etc was $1000, and I feel like I could get the parts I need cheaper, and do an active DSP system, as most listening will be from digital source anyway.
     
  11. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2020
    Likes Received:
    1,417
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Atl
    You could. But you'd need to get the various filtering specs from Troels to replicate. Otherwise you're still building a 2 way speaker but it won't be the Illumina.
     
  12. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,464
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    You can get a DCX2496 for <$200 (sometimes much less if you're lucky) and resale is super easy on those. It really doesn't hurt to try and at most you only lose out a couple bucks on shipping. If you like it, upgrade to a DBX box or minidsp or maybe a DEQX (I've never tried that one).
     
  13. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Ill see what I can do, I just contacted madisound, and Troels. If madisound can let me exchange the drivers, ill actually be moving to madison, wi, in 2 weeks, home of madisound, so that could work out...
     
  14. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    In my backyard! I have all the gear needed to biamp and test digital XOver if you cannot come up with an easy solution. That could save you from buying to test and only get what you ultimately need.

    .. dB
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Epic Epic x 2
    • List
  15. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    8,200
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northwest France
    Write an email to Troels. He answers just about everything
     
  16. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Well madisound is letting me exchange the drivers, so it looks like I should be all good on this. They have great customer support and responded fast, and are letting me exchange them in person when I get there.
     
  17. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Both fronts done
    [​IMG]

    Tweeter hole sealed off, and back of woofer hole widened to allow more breathing room (1.5" of MDF seemed to give it little breathing room with original hole)
    [​IMG]

    Bracing and internal bottoms made
    [​IMG]

    To do: Make tops, make bottoms, assemble, put in damping stuff, make crossovers, connect everything, finishing.

    At some point Ill need to buy an amp too, dont have one right now.
     
  18. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    And the gluing has begun
    20210617_141603.jpg
     
  19. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,894
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Now that's looking like A speaker to me. Thank you harbor freight for 6$ big clamps
    20210617_175516.jpg
     
  20. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Very cool. Any thoughts as to how you are going to finish them?
     

Share This Page