Mark Audio SuperPensil12 and Mar-Ken12 Centre

[sbisheff]

After WAY too long I've finally finished my first DIY build. I built a set of mains, the SuperPensil12's and a centre, the Shallow Mar-Ken12 Centre. The mains are based off of very well built plans found here: http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeaker...nsil12-map.pdf The Center is a beta test I was a part of but have been given permission to share the pics. I've got a very long thread on the DIY Audio forum about the Pensil's here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/marka...l12-build.html All speakers use the Mark Audio Alpair 12 full range driver which was available until very recently from Madisound.

First I'll show the SuperPensil12's from inception to finale:








































Next is the Shallow Mar-Ken12 Centre:




















The cabinets didn't turn out completely perfect but overall very good. Sound wise, I'm extremely happy with how they turned out. I was very apprehensive about a single driver setup but after building these I couldn't be happier. They are extremely detailed and full sounding. They have incredible imaging and vocals are extraordinarily seductive. There are no crossovers or filters at all, just binding post to terminals.

I have more to write but my brain is totally dead right now so I'll write more later. Feel free to ask questions :)

Scott

[tesseract]

Cool, skeeter. Those look nice and I have read good things about the Mark Audio driver. I like the single driver sound sans crossover.

One reason I have stuck with two ways is to have as little to do with a cross over as is possible in a multi way design.

[sbisheff]

Thanks! I'm really happy with the end result and so is the wife :) The grill were quite a challenge but turned out really good in the end. The pictures don't show them installed, but the big holey brace is one of three in each cabinet plus additional bracing up in the upper section. They aren't completely resonant free cabinets but very close. I may try to add in some self sticking tiles to help make them even more solid but for now they're good.

Mark Audio drivers are very highly regarded in the single driver and DIY community. They really are quite remarkable.

I would like to try and build a 2-way but am really glad I went this way for my very first DIY attempt.

Scott

[tomtuttle]

Just fantastic! I'd love to hear them some day. Well done, and many thanks for sharing the pictures.

[sbisheff]

Just fantastic! I'd love to hear them some day. Well done, and many thanks for sharing the pictures.

Thanks I appreciate the accolades! I really enjoy them. If you're ever down in Portland give me a shout, you're more than welcome to come listen.

Scott

[Fatcat]

Very nice job!!!!:applause:

Best.....Carlo.

[sbisheff]

Thanks Carlo! I'm sure you look at the construction pics and cringe but hey, its a first build so I get a couple mulligans right?? LOL!

Scott

[persisting1]

I watched your build at diy and was really impressed. Great build skeeter. How loud can they play?

[sbisheff]

I watched your build at diy and was really impressed. Great build skeeter. How loud can they play?

Thank you very much!!

I have yet to hit any sort of distortion on them while listening to music. For movies I've gotten there and had to turn them down even with an 80hz crossover but it was only once. It was on the new Star Trek where they're trying to disable the drill. That may just have a lot of distortion so I'd have to watch it again to make sure but that's the only time so far. Otherwise they've overwhelmingly exceeded my expectations.

Scott