Building cabs for Bag End speakers

[Sequimite]

While waiting for another speaker to do my TL606 project I came across some Bag End speakers from a university acoustic lab: E-15 and E-15X without a xover so I'm going to do the Bag End cabs first.

Other threads explained general cabinet construction with 1/2" plywood and cross bracing.

The 3/4" cabs made by BE are 18 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 15 1/2" with a 5 1/2" port centered on the back panel. Judging by fact that the Bag End cabs are the same with the E-15 as with the greater bulk of the E-15X, and the same with the fold out handles or the more deeply recessed ones, it doesn't seem like I need to sweat the exact internal volume.

I'm thinking of making them 18" x 18" x 16" to match my LDS cab and use the same stacking corners. My initial thought is to recess the back panel so that the internal dimensions match the S15-D. The other dimensions already match due to switching from 3/4" to 1/2" plywood.

What internal sound absorbing materials does BE use?

I'll have to contact BE about the Xover but I would like an attenuator for the tweeter. Has anyone added one or replaced the entire xover?

Any other experiences or thoughts will be welcome. Thanks.

 

[1958Bassman]

While waiting for another speaker to do my TL606 project I came across some Bag End speakers from a university acoustic lab: E-15 and E-15X without a xover so I'm going to do the Bag End cabs first.

Other threads explained general cabinet construction with 1/2" plywood and cross bracing.

The 3/4" cabs made by BE are 18 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 15 1/2" with a 5 1/2" port centered on the back panel. Judging by fact that the Bag End cabs are the same with the E-15 as with the greater bulk of the E-15X, and the same with the fold out handles or the more deeply recessed ones, it doesn't seem like I need to sweat the exact internal volume.

I'm thinking of making them 18" x 18" x 16" to match my LDS cab and use the same stacking corners. My initial thought is to recess the back panel so that the internal dimensions match the S15-D. The other dimensions already match due to switching from 3/4" to 1/2" plywood.

What internal sound absorbing materials does BE use?

I'll have to contact BE about the Xover but I would like an attenuator for the tweeter. Has anyone added one or replaced the entire xover?

Any other experiences or thoughts will be welcome. Thanks.

If the only difference is 1/2" of depth, I would just add a 1/2" thick panel on the back and be done with it. You won't need to recalculate anything and it will be a much faster project.

Wait- "it doesn't seem like I need to sweat the exact internal volume."? What makes you think this?

If you want a level control, install a variable L-Pad, but make sure it will handle the power.

 

[Sequimite]

Wait- "it doesn't seem like I need to sweat the exact internal volume."? What makes you think this?

the Bag End cabs are the same with the E-15 as with the greater bulk of the E-15X, and the same with the fold out handles or the more deeply recessed ones

Since Bag End uses the same size box for the S15DX with reduced internal volume from the coax speaker, crossover and more deeply recessed handles as the did with the S15D with the old flip up handles they apparently think that a drop of 12 - 15 cubic inches of internal space is irrelevant. So, if they don't care about that big a volume difference I presume I shouldn't sweat a difference of 1 or 2 cubic inches.

I'm thinking I'll use the same cab size for both like BE does. What I could do is move the back panel to add back the internal volume lost to the coaxial tweeter.

Actually, that seems like a good idea. I will make the coaxial cab deeper so that it has the same internal volume as the regular E-15 cab. (unless someone tells me why that is a bad idea)

 

[Sequimite]

The CX-1 crossover is history. They are up to the CX-3 now. Not badly priced - $58"

 

[Sequimite]

The Bag End drivers arrived. The E-15X turned out to be a ZE-15X; any real difference?

Here they are with the Eminence Pro Delta 15. I plan to build three cabs and A B the E-15 against the Delta 15.

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[DaveAceofBass]

Bag End speakers rule. My ideal cab would probably be similar to an AccuGroove only with Bag End speakers.