Thanks Eric.
I should have these operational by this Sunday (if all goes well).
The nice part of it is that the DFR-8 drivers will be pulled out of
the NFX models for a new home within the HDT's. This means that
'break-in' of the drivers is not so much of an issue due to them
already having a significant amount of hours on them (somewhere
around 150-200 hours while in the NFX models).
These are primarily for testing and analysis as the primary purpose,
so external covering will be put on hold until later. I have not
decided on whether to go the veneer route or prepare them for
automotive paint. These would look great with a metalic/pearl
base coat with several layers of clear coat. That is alot of work with
precise attention to detail for preparing a surface good enough for
that type of finish, without noticable flaws in direct light. I have
prepped and painted auto's before, so this would not be too difficult for me.
I have also devised a much better 'cloth-based' driver covering system
in my mind that will be easy to construct and blend with the speaker
lines very well. This is a one piece system that blankets the top section
(under the dispersion plate), and extends downward over the two passives
and the driver. This would be non-obtrusive or cause any concern with
diffraction. Due to the design, this would simply conform snugly down
and around the top of the speaker with nothing but gravity holding it in place.
The contact area would be covered with felt, thin cork sheet, or something
similar to prevent vibration.
I have even considered going to the extent of embedding sections of
brushed-aluminum panels flush within the surface areas, below the
passives, and the main driver. The aluminum plates could be inscribed
with great detail using a CNC machine.
Anyway, the primary objective is analysis for this particular HDT model
upgrade. That means after I have had sufficient listening time, a review
by comparison to what I've experienced with the other models will
be in the works.
I believe that if I was to predict the sound of these HDT's before hearing
them, I would speculate in my mind, a sound which would be similar to a
'hybrid' combination of the early radial designs, and that of the top end
Kadence design which I am using now. If these speakers capture the
presence, speed, and finesse which I've come to know within the original
radial designs, and that of the Fostex based Kadence design, I will be
very pleased to say the least.
Here are a few more detailed images showing a breakdown
of the assembly process.