Sneak Preview

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Latest set of RFC Raptor loudspeaker cabinets.  Some finishing left to UV stabilise the oil finish by a sneaky procedure involving the only UV blocking water based lacquer I can find on the market.  This will also make them more durable and deepen the gloss finish.


Should be ready for final assembly by early next week.

Comments

  • I wooden expect anything less from you, Paul.
  • Beautiful iridescence on that veneer Paul! :)
  • Now completed....studio shots yet to arrange but they're now singing beautifully:

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  • Proper tidy. :)
    Am on half term next week... Any chance i could pop round for some gawping...?
  • Is it because I'm a man, or do those look sooo much better with the covers off?
  • Is it because I'm a man, or do those look sooo much better with the covers off?
    No. It's because you're a speaker-porn pervert. :p
  • Is it because I'm a man, or do those look sooo much better with the covers off?
    No. It's because you're a speaker-porn pervert. :p
    You are a nasty man :-(
  • Proper tidy. :)
    Am on half term next week... Any chance i could pop round for some gawping...?
    Indeed you can Ben.

    Had some independent testing & measurement done, tweaks to the crossover (trying to simplify it from the over cautious development design and by using simulation to optimise values).  The results were very encouraging. For those who appreciate pretty pictures and can decipher, they're shown below.  The listening tests echo the measurements...very refined.

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    They're going on holiday after the Bristol Hifi Show for a weeks review period.
  • Indeed you can Ben.
    Thanks Paul. I hope to be in touch.

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    ^ If the speakers made this, they must be good. :)
  • Indeed you can Ben.
    Thanks Paul. I hope to be in touch.

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    ^ If the speakers made this, they must be good. :)
    We are advised they're soon moving on to full size graffitti on the side of tube trains.
  • PACPAC
    edited February 2015
    It does rather resemble a 50's american hot-rod flame pain job...hmmm, I can see the bike getting a speaker measurement paint job!
  • It does rather resemble a 50's american hot-rod flame pain job...hmmm, I can see the bike getting a speaker measurement paint job!
    I feel guilty that this point is detracting from a celebration of your latest engineering triumph, but yes! I like the concept of your unifying 2 of your passions in that way.☺️
  • These deserve a bump up...
    I'm popping along to Paul's place tomorrow to hear these at the RFC open day.
    Looking forward to it.
    \:D/
  • Lovely visit to Paul's this afternoon to check out the RFC Raptors...

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    The first thing that struck me was how impressed I felt by the midrange. Snare drums rung beautifully in their decay and voices were full bodied and clear.
    Imaging also first rate. Sounds were placed discretely and realistically in between the speakers. Even off-axis. Fellow visitor Simon, who spent time listening off to one side remaked that even from out on the right the image was surprisingly stereo.
    Paul has always spoken about how pleased he is by the levels and control in the bass of his Raptors. Having now listened to them I can appreciate this. The Raptors are relatively large for stand mounts (30L I think Paul said), but the bass weight is that of an even larger unit. Controlled too. Paul seems to be able to implement a port in such a way that avoids lumps and farts. Bass sounds are fully textured and tight, and not at all bloated.
    The high frequencies were fairly sweet too. The tweeter appeared to be doing everything it should be without drawing attention to itself. Paul later explained that he had implemented the speakers to avoid the fatigue that can come with high-frequency empahasis.
    There were a few times when I was aware of the system behind the Raptors (CD or vinyl into a big valve amp) doing things differently to how my system (FLAC files in to single ended class A sold state) might do, but not often, so I was able to focus on the speakers.
    The Raptors presentation is just as a Iike it, natural and smooth, musical and detailed. A big image, with realistic presentation of sounds within that image.
    Paul makes exceedingly good speakers.

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  • Good to see you again Ben and I'm glad you enjoyed your afternoon with the Raptors  :D
  • Nice one Ben, would love to try these at my place, West Country a bit far from kent for a pick up and return of the Raptors.
    Although I would make the effort if we had another Chews day at RFC. I would bring my OB's down for comparison
  • Sounds like a plan James  :)>-
  • Who's for an RFC bake off day den?
  • Go for it, couldn't do it till September or so.
  • September is fine with me.  Can't do it until then anyway.

    That's James (Ben I'll take as a given), and if Col/Dave/Alan could make it down too that would be great
  • Nice to he taken for granted...
    :((
    But yes, I'd like to come. ;) Can do any weekend in September except that of 19th.
  • edited July 2015
    James, could you bring your amp...?
    And, you'd be welcome to stay over here if you'd like.
  • Nice to he taken for granted...
    :((
    But yes, I'd like to come. ;) Can do any weekend in September except that of 19th.

    ;)

    Perish the thought, I'd not take you for granted Ben but knew you'd be up for it.

    A good chance to try out the revamped curry house here later on as well maybe?
  • Is there still room for a little one at this shindig?
    That veneer on those Raptors is calling out for a little carress ;-)

    But if we're bringing kit for comparison please can we put a limit on how many of Ben's stash of speakers he's allowed to bring. Otherwise we'll need to book a whole week!
  • Is there still room for a little one at this shindig?
    That veneer on those Raptors is calling out for a little carress ;-)

    But if we're bringing kit for comparison please can we put a limit on how many of Ben's stash of speakers he's allowed to bring. Otherwise we'll need to book a whole week!
    You'd only want to steal yet another pair of then if we did...!
  • Yes, plenty of room so you'd be welcome Suzy. 

    Ben knows that he is banned from bringing anything larger than a bag of doughnuts, packet of Jaffa cakes;  bottle of malt etc etc


  • I know I'm away for two weeks September(/October). Will check what we have booked.
  • Talking of speakers, here's a sneaky preview of what's going into my Impulse Loudspeaker conversions (H2 and Taus models re-worked by RFC for faster toe-tapping  :D)

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  • Looks fantastic Paul !
  • edited August 2015
    Mmm :-)
  • Proper job.
  • Now completed  :D

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  • Looks good Paul.
  • These are now completed.  I like Impulse speakers and these sound pretty amazing.

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  • Now they're ready, please send them down to LA for a little long-term testing :-)
  • That whole combo looks like something to inspire pride of ownership.
    Love it.
    (And please may I be the first to acknowledge the trademark RFC upgrade tweeter halo on this superb refurb job...?)
  • Thanks chaps.  Sadly these were whisked away a few days back and I had a message from the owner to say that they were up and running in his system, and that he's very pleased with them, so job done.

    Guess where these are going....hint...clue's in the photo 
    :))   (Sov's not allowed to say as he knows!)

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  • Always impressive work Paul
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