Model 19 cabinet build - 2 sets

**mattvandyke** · October 1st, 2012, 06:19 PM

I currently have a set of Model 19's and love them so much I decided to buy another set of speaker componets and build myself a set of cabinets. I've built the Z19 Crossover for the current pair that I have and thought that this would be a good project for me to start on.

I ran across another local AUDIOKARMA guy (Brad) who also had the components and needed a set of Model 19 cabinets. I've got the wood working experiece, and expertise to build them but I needed an extra set of muscle to help in cutting the wood and I thought it would be a great experience so got together and started the projects. We've had a lot of fun doing this project and enjoying have a beer with Brad and creating these cabinets.

Here's the game plan:

Use MDF and finish with vener.
Use black vinyl covering for top front cabinet. Paint surrounding trim black
Build to spec - original Model 19 cabinets
Glue, nail and screw all pieces ( for 4 cabinets -70 pieces of wood that needed to be cut glued, nailed and screwed)
Build Z19 xover - install in original Xover cutout
Use foam inserts
Rollers on the bottom
Speaker connectors on the back (not on the bottom - per original specs)
Install Grills
Total expected cost is approximately $520 per pair. Not including Vener.

We should be finishing up here in the next week or so. Cabinets are almost done and I already started on the crossovers. Here are some pictures for your pleasure:

Brad is using 416 A's (rear mounting requried) and I'm using 416 B's which use front mounting. That's why the sets look a little different in these next pictures.

A picture of the team after 5 hours of work last Saturday.

More data to follow

**cradeldorf** · October 2nd, 2012, 12:16 AM

Looks like fun guys.

Enjoy.

**voice of the theater** · October 2nd, 2012, 10:03 AM

Those are real beauties--nice job! What components are you using--alnico or ferrite? Brand new GPA or vintage Altec? Have you compared the Z19 to the original Model 19 crossover? Any comments as to audible differences or differences in how the two eq pots operate/interact with each other/affect the sound? Is the top (horn) compartment bolted to the bottom or is it permanently glued and screwed? Also, what are you doing for bracing?

**mattvandyke** · October 2nd, 2012, 10:35 AM

All of the equipment that we're using in Alnico. 416a's, 416b's and 802-g's for the horn.

I've build a set of Z19's for the current set of 19's that I have. They took a while to break in but I like the sound enough to not have installed the orginal one's back in. The difference (to me) is not as dramatic as others felt but very slightly better. I've got some new hardware (mcintosh mc60's) and need to reinstall the orginals to see how they sound with the new amp.

The top horn is bolted to the bottom. Doing that per original specs.

For bracing, I've not done anything special as I'm building these per their original specs. I did add some additional backing blocks behind the front and back of the bottom cabinet for additional stabilization but nothing else.

Any recommendations on adding additional bracing would be appreciated.

**badtoby** · October 2nd, 2012, 11:45 AM

Nice work Matt. You make it look easy. If I only had your skills. How much time do you have in them? If you don't mind me asking, what do you thank your cost will be when your done?

**mattvandyke** · October 2nd, 2012, 04:10 PM

Probably 20 hours per person to date. Another 2-3 hours on cabinets and then I expect 4-6 hours total on the crossovers. Probably 30+ hours for me and another 25 for Brad. There was also some additional time in reviewing specs, etc.

Pricing - Cabinets, grills and xovers - $520. Vener (just bought 2 pieces of nice oak vener (4X8) for $140). 416b's I paid around $300 (new cones) and the 802-8g's were $250. Looks like the total will be $1210 for my set. All speaker componets are in excellent conditions.

Brad got a better buy on his 416a's so his pricing will be a little less than mine.

Enjoying the project with Brad and looking forward to having them complete here in another week or so.

**Altec Best** · October 5th, 2012, 01:28 PM

Very Nice work !!

**mattvandyke** · October 13th, 2012, 10:27 AM

I was out of town last week but did make some progress last night. I did finally complete all of the xovers and got them installed temporarily to make sure that they work.

I did have an initial problem as I forgot one of the ground wires. Additionally hooking up the xover structure (lpads, L brackets, wood, connectors etc.) took a little longer than I thought. A couple of beers and some tunes in the background helped the process go smoothly.

Brad is using a pair of 16 ohms 416a woofers on his speakers so the crossover was a little different for him.

Here is a picture of the two different xover networks completed.

Brad completed the internal wiring last week so I was able to install all of the crossovers last night and they all worked perfectly. Here's a picture of them being broke in as I've been running them all night long.

Brad is going to use a black front and I'm going to use veneer for the front. We both should be starting the veneer process in the next couple of days.

The building is over and now the final finishes need to be completed. I'm going to document the construction of the Z19 supporting hardware a little more as I think that I've got a decent process down and it may help others on their Z19 build.