bigrank916 MLI-65 project

[bigrank916 72]

Have you modeled the Mli's in .25? Just curious as that would be my first step....and I haven't, but I don't own those drivers either.

Like with winISD or something? If so, then no. I downloaded the beta version awhile ago and havent a clue on how to use it. I fool around with it sometimes, hoping to miraculously figure it out but that never happens. I just thought it would be a good starting point.

I finished them tonight and they are ready for install tomorrow. But there is a Colts game tomorrow also, so who knows. Going to wire them up to the 100.4 and see how it sounds.

[///M5 2,833]

Indeed what I meant. Either way listen to the box and let us know what you think. Depending on how it is we can talk about ways of improving them

[bigrank916 72]

Indeed what I meant. Either way listen to the box and let us know what you think. Depending on how it is we can talk about ways of improving them

Will do. Here are the mli-65 mock enclosures. Mli-65s w/ 1" dome tweet

Wont install them tonight though. I dont want to set up the lights and shit, plus the colts game is pretty good. Plus Im tired as hell after painting for 8.5 hrs! I might just go up to the corner store and get me some scotch irish whickey though!

[///M5 2,833]

Have one for me.

[bigrank916 72]

I gave the mli-65s and the 1" dome tweeters a test run tonight in the mock enclosures. I just put the speakers on the floor as that seemed like all I could do. Im sure it will sound a little different from the position it will be facing on the door but I think it will be ok.

The SAX100.4 has PLENTY of power for both speakers. Im glad I bought all Sundown to run my stuff. Amazing amps by far. Jacob is the man!

The tweeters are crap but the gain is only at 1/4 if that. They are cheap soundstorms. They still seem a little loud though. And kind of bright at moments too.

The mli65s are at half gain and sound great so far. They are really filling in the sound that I wanted. I might have to tweak the crossover settings a little more but I think the tweeters were too loud to really tell.

I'll have to go out later and get the exact settings on the amp for you guys to be on the same page. I have the mli65s on ch 1&2 and the tweeters on 3&4.

I guess I'll keep the pods sealed as I like how it sounds now. Just not sure I'll get the same cubic volume in my pods as these test boxes. Will it matter that much? If they are sealed, should I deaden the passenger door? My original plan was to vent into the door so the driver door is already done. Plus I still have some damplifier left over for it.

This is exactly what I needed for my system. I can actually hear the music again! Its great! I cant wait to get started on the pods.

test run position

[///M5 2,833]

How big do you think you can fit?

[bigrank916 72]

How big do you think you can fit?

I guess when it becomes too large and uncomfortable next to my leg. It also has to fit between the seat and the dash. I dont know an exact volume though. How would I go about figuring how much volume the pod will have when constructed?

[bigrank916 72]

Here is a little vid too. I have my interior lights on so its all I got without busting out the spotlight!

mli65s in the dark

[jcarter1885 995]

How did you like the sound of them in that enclosure, the goods and bads?

[bigrank916 72]

How did you like the sound of them in that enclosure, the goods and bads?

So far there isnt anything I dont like about the sound of them. They sound great. Even thinking about two pairs but I know the discussions on that subject so I might not even go there. Just need to dial these in and adjust everything to blend it all in.

[///M5 2,833]

How big do you think you can fit?

I guess when it becomes too large and uncomfortable next to my leg. It also has to fit between the seat and the dash. I dont know an exact volume though. How would I go about figuring how much volume the pod will have when constructed?

You calculate the volume based on the external size and material thickness. I thought you did that before building your boxes and chose a box size based on your pods. Changing the volume of the box could drastically affect the response which is why you went through the exercise...

[bigrank916 72]

How big do you think you can fit?

I guess when it becomes too large and uncomfortable next to my leg. It also has to fit between the seat and the dash. I dont know an exact volume though. How would I go about figuring how much volume the pod will have when constructed?

You calculate the volume based on the external size and material thickness. I thought you did that before building your boxes and chose a box size based on your pods. Changing the volume of the box could drastically affect the response which is why you went through the exercise...

I chose the size roughly on what I thought would fit. It was only 1/4ft3 each so I think it wont be a big problem. Plus the 3/4 mdf takes up a lot of space that the fg wont. The fg shouldnt even be close to that thick, right? I didnt think it would be more than 1/4" thickness.

What I meant was more of how to detemine the outside measurements on the abnormally sized enclosure. You know, its not just 12Wx8Hx8D because its not a perfect rectangle like my mock enclosure. Im not sure on how to calculate the pod when it has curves everywhere. How will I know when it is .25ft3?

[///M5 2,833]

As long as you are close, no problems.

Area of a circle is Pi*(radius squared) to get volume you just add the height. If it is a cone then you can approximate by calculating the area at the top and the bottom, adding together then divide by two and use that to multiply by the height.

If there are other unusual areas break them down into circles, triangles or rectangles and add all the pieces together.

[bigrank916 72]

As long as you are close, no problems.

Area of a circle is Pi*(radius squared) to get volume you just add the height. If it is a cone then you can approximate by calculating the area at the top and the bottom, adding together then divide by two and use that to multiply by the height.

If there are other unusual areas break them down into circles, triangles or rectangles and add all the pieces together.

Ok. I thought of it in a geometrical way to break down the odd shapes but had my doubts. Finally I get to use my geometry skills in a real life application! Who would have ever thunk it in high school? Of course I'll have to brush up on the formulas of volume and area for different shapes though. I sure as hell dont remember that stuff.

So I guess Im ready to start making the pods now. Since I want to keep them sealed, it takes me back to a few questions I had earlier in the thread.

Since the pods will be sealed, is there any reason to continue to deaden the passenger door with my leftover SS?

After making the back of the enclosure and cutting a hole for wire terminal, how do I glass in a terminal mdf ring? Or should I drill a hole and run the wire out that way? This seems an easier route but dont know how to properly seal it up again after the wire goes through.

Also, how do I attach the pods to the door securely when sealed?

[///M5 2,833]

Deaden the panels enough. ie 25% or so. Other than that there will be absolutely zero benefit in doing more. You could actually get by with less and would really be better with a layer of MLV to knock down road noise, but taking out self excited and bass excited resonances isn't a bad idea.

[bigrank916 72]

A little update tonight. I decided to put the speakers on the bottom of the door. I think it will look much better than my first idea. I cut the pockets off and taped it off. The door panels are ready for glassing now. Here I go...

mli65 link

[bigrank916 72]

I got started tonight and I must say I feel good about it. The first layer is a effing nightmare to get on but after that its a breeze. That and the constant stabbing motion with the brush to keep the mat sticking down. But it seems to be the best solution for application. I used a whole package of mat because I wasnt sure on when to stop. Once I pull it off, I'll get a better idea of whats going on and how much to apply to where for the next one. Its all a learning process and Im totally stoked so far. Im really into how this stuff works and thinking of all the possibilities. I usually have high expectations when making something with my hands so Im hoping it will look good on my first try. I like the idea of making your own shit from scratch. We'll see how it goes I guess. Stay tuned...pass door 1st layer

[Mac N Cheese 90]

I got started tonight and I must say I feel good about it. The first layer is a effing nightmare to get on but after that its a breeze. That and the constant stabbing motion with the brush to keep the mat sticking down. But it seems to be the best solution for application. I used a whole package of mat because I wasnt sure on when to stop. Once I pull it off, I'll get a better idea of whats going on and how much to apply to where for the next one. Its all a learning process and Im totally stoked so far. Im really into how this stuff works and thinking of all the possibilities. I usually have high expectations when making something with my hands so Im hoping it will look good on my first try. I like the idea of making your own shit from scratch. We'll see how it goes I guess. Stay tuned...pass door 1st layer

tuned in...i want to see how these turn out

good luck!

[bigrank916 72]

Went to the garage for an audio christmas present and pulled the glass of the door.

It came off pretty easily but I wouldnt recommend using the cheap, narrow masking tape. Blue painters tape would have been much better. Its looks pretty good but its a little thin in some spots around the edges. I used all the mat I had which was one package. The middle is very thick and solid so I will just add some aound the edges to finish off the back.

Now that Ive done it, I kinda know what to expect and what not to do. Like dont stack up your torn pieces of mat. Instead, lay them one at a time right next to each other. They will be easier to pick up that way. I was flingin shnit off my fingers and Im sure it looked hilarious to my neighbors. This resin is some sticky ass stuff too. You can get in a giant mess in a hurry so its important to be organized before you start!

Overall this is A LOT easier than I thought. I cant wait for the stores to open so I can get more supplies! I hooked!1st glass sheet off

[bigrank916 72]

A little update. Glassed the second layer on the pass door tonight and trimmed the driver panel also. Couldnt wait to get a dremmel cause I wanted to keep going! So I used the jigsaw. Came out nice. I think the overall wieght of these pods will be a little much. The driver panel is about 1/4" thick. Solid as shit though.

Is that about right?

Once the pass side has dried and is trimmed, I will prep both for the trim rings and stretching the fabric.

mli65 link

"I be ."

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Tuned in to watch your progress.

Looking good.

[///M5 2,833]

Solid as shit though.

Is that about right?

Yes

[bigrank916 72]

A few updates.

I trimmed and sanded out both pieces before I got started on the imaging. That was a bitch. I spent over a day and a half just getting them where I wanted. Glueing them down, ripping em off. Over and over and over. Boy does that hot glue sure stick like a mofo!

After I got through that the stretching of the fabric wasnt that bad. It took a few minutes to find a rhythm but I got it. I had to cut and overlap each pod cause of the wrinkles and the way it was applied. I dont think it will matter though.

There is a few spots that dont mirror each other so well but this is my first time so its expected. Im not lookin for perfection here but I do like to take my time to get it right. The tweeters are slightly misaligned too but I dont think I'll notice that either. In all, Im happy the way these look so far.

Next I will hit them with some more resin and let them cure for a good mold. Sand it down a little more and begin adding the top layer of mat. Should be fun.

mli65 link

[///M5 2,833]

Look great so far. Really great considering this is your first attempt.

[Mac N Cheese 90]