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Flat pack options
As CSS rolls out more kits, our plan is to offer MDF flat packs for every kit including driver and port cutouts/recesses and fully rabbeted edges for easy alignment during assembly.
Then it occurred to us that without much effort, we could offer these flat packs with blank front/rear baffles so they could be used for any design they fit.
Then it occurred to us that with a little forethought, and another bit of effort, panels from one kit could be reappropriated for another, for example, 4 side panels from our P215 kit could be combined with a new top/bottom to make a 12" x 12" x 11.25" subwoofer enclosure. We would only have to stock 1 extra panel size and you guys would get another option. If we did this with multiple designs, we could have many options available without a warehouse full of MDF.
If this plan works, we would want to design many of these enclosures simultaneously so we get as much good overlap as possible. So with this in mind, we're looking for some feedback. Most if not all of what we're considering right now will be simple rectangular prisms to maximize value.
What sizes would you like to see - both in volume and dimensional ratios?
What types of bracing options would you like to see to maximize stability, but minimize potential interference with drivers?
Is there any interest in plate amp sub-enclosures built into subwoofer cabinets?
What price points will make these flat packs viable options for you guys?
Anything else you'd like to see incorporated?
Thanks for the feedback guys, and a Happy New Year to all!
Dan
Then it occurred to us that without much effort, we could offer these flat packs with blank front/rear baffles so they could be used for any design they fit.
Then it occurred to us that with a little forethought, and another bit of effort, panels from one kit could be reappropriated for another, for example, 4 side panels from our P215 kit could be combined with a new top/bottom to make a 12" x 12" x 11.25" subwoofer enclosure. We would only have to stock 1 extra panel size and you guys would get another option. If we did this with multiple designs, we could have many options available without a warehouse full of MDF.
If this plan works, we would want to design many of these enclosures simultaneously so we get as much good overlap as possible. So with this in mind, we're looking for some feedback. Most if not all of what we're considering right now will be simple rectangular prisms to maximize value.
What sizes would you like to see - both in volume and dimensional ratios?
What types of bracing options would you like to see to maximize stability, but minimize potential interference with drivers?
Is there any interest in plate amp sub-enclosures built into subwoofer cabinets?
What price points will make these flat packs viable options for you guys?
Anything else you'd like to see incorporated?
Thanks for the feedback guys, and a Happy New Year to all!
Dan
Comments
Currently there are no 3, 5, or 10 liter flat packs from PE or Denovo.
The golden rectangle ratio for the front baffle height and width would be good. I don't care to much about the depth.
I prefer post braces so a dado in the across the center of the small cabinet sides would be good.
If you can be competitive with PE that would be good. I'd pay more for baltic birch, which might be lighter and less costly to ship.
What do you mean by post brace? Just a small piece tying the two sides together as opposed to a shelf brace?
Dan
Golden ratio on the baffle works well for speakers less than 15" tall, but they start to get really wide after that. I'll see if I can make JR's suggestion of the PE finished cab sizes work.
Any other ideas guys?
Dan
Sehlin Sound Solutions
Sehlin Sound Solutions
0.53 cu ft (15L) - 8.5"W x 14"H x 12"D (Criton 1TD)
0.39 cu ft (11L) - 8.5"W x 14"H x 9.25"D
0.32 cu ft (9L) - 6.5"W x 12"H x 12"D (P215)
0.23 cu ft (6.7L) - 6.5"W x 12"H x 9.25"D
0.17 cu ft (5L) - 6.5"W x 12"H x 7.25"D
0.16 cu ft (4.5L) - 6.5"W x 11.25"H x 7.25"D
0.12 cu ft (3.3L) - 6.5"W x 8.5"H x 7.25"D
In addition, we'll have a 1 cu ft 14" cube subwoofer enclosure available, with double thick front baffle, excellent bracing and again, rabbeted on every panel for minimal edge exposure and easy assembly. Blank baffles will be available as well as pre-cut for SDX10 flush mount, SDX12 flush mount and SDX12 surface mount if you prefer a little more meat on your baffle at the expense of a proud subwoofer frame.
More options to come in the future, but those will have to wait a while.
Dan
No internal bracing is fine on the smaller cabinets, it's easy enough to wedge a dowel or three in there myself during construction.
InDIYana Event Website
Dan
Speaking of group buys, we found a solid CNC supplier that offers good quality at reasonable prices on smallish quantities. I was thinking today that for large or unusual cabinets we wouldn't otherwise carry, it could still be possible to get flat packs made if 5 - 6 people could agree on a design. I could generate the CAD models, verify the prototype and order the small production run. This would be a slightly more expensive option as the prototype cost and CAD/programming cost would be amortized among the orderers, but it would be a semi-custom flat pack, which could be cool option.
Dan
Pics to come on the website, but all have the same rabbeted edges that you can see in the P215 or Criton kit photos. Dimensions of the various volumes are listed on the description page. Choose the volume from the drop down menu to see pricing. As predicted, the rabbeting drives the cost and they are a little more expensive than the PE cabs. They go together like a dream though, and if you have enough clamps, you can glue all panels together simultaneously. You can literally be prepping for paint/veneer an hour after UPS shows up. I know for me, I always spend a lot of time ensuring square cuts and a square glue-up, so hopefully these offer a substantial time save for folks over the existing offerings.
Dan
Short story long, we had settled on using USPS for Canadian shipments because brokerage fees are included in their rates. This made Canadian shipments easy to predict and therefore automate through the website. Recently, those rates went through the roof, forcing us to switch to UPS, which charges brokerage fees after the shipment is complete, making the shipping cost difficult to estimate.
We are trying to work out a cost effective, predictable shipping method to Canada, but until we get it straightened out, we are asking that our Canadian partons email us at info@css-audio.com for a shipping quote. Guess we need to get that info on the website.
Dan
I totally get where you're coming from and Kerry and I have been banging our head against the wall trying to figure this out, but USPS now bakes the same brokerage fees that UPS is charging right into their shipping cost, making it at least as expensive as UPS all inclusive.
The best option we've found involves a little work on the recipient's part. With a visit to a local CBSA office, you can completely avoid the UPS brokerage fees by following the steps at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/lvs-efv/prsn-eng.html under "Accounting For Your Own Shipment". This takes advantage of UPS' reasonable shipping rates without getting bit by their unreasonable brokerage fees. Depending on the cost of the order, this could be a substantial savings. Unfortunately, USPS is now the worst option.
No matter how it shakes out, we'll always do our best to work with folks, so please shoot us an email and we'll try to find a solution that works for everyone.
Dan