WD25T and fire surrounds

[Graham Wright]

I made a pair of the above and have been pleased with the performance. They sit each side of a fireplace with a 62" separation. Although my cloth ears don't appreciate the treble, others tell me the total mix is very good.

However! It is now time to finish the fireplace which was modified to accommodate the 12" cabinet width and, more recently, modified again to accept alcove cabinets found, eventually, on ebay.

The fireplace now lacks a surround and our desire is to install a mantle piece (easy) and two vertical panels at the sides. These will cover the speaker outlets and my problem is how to achieve this cosmetically without spoiling the sound output.

I can imagine an appliqué rosette to disguise the tweeter but the bass unit has me baffled.

I would welcome any suggestions.

/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brazilian-mahogany-fire-surround-/161560074990?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item259dbb 1aee

I have been unable to find a surround on ebay which is wide enough overall and with side panels around 12" width so a bespoke design is called for.

[bob orbell]

Sorry, I don't understand the question, maybe some pictures will help.

[Phil Y]

Are the speakers built into the chimney breast ?

[Graham Wright]

Originally Posted by Phil Y

Are the speakers built into the chimney breast ?

In effect, yes. They were built into the standard WD25 MDF kit so they are standalone in reality. But the fireplace juts out from the end wall by around 2 feet and I cut back the outer support pillars sufficiently to "absorb" the cabinets.

The room is 30 feet long by 12 feet wide. On the outside wall there is a chimney breast 74" wide and around 2 feet deep. This houses a log burner.

The two pillars each side of the fire enclosure are solid concrete blocks. (The whole lot is plastered of course!).

I removed a column from the pillars sufficient to accept the standard WD enclosure and, in effect, the two cabinets look like the pillars.

Now I wish to front the cabinets with mahogany facing uprights together with a mahogany mantle.

The ebay picture gives a reasonable idea of the finished product. However, this would block the sound from bass and tweeter.

I did have a photo but the best I can do at the moment is this which just shows the two side pillars as they are at the moment.

[Graham Wright]

A couple more photos which hopefully might provoke inspiration!

[bob orbell]

Graham, I have just shown your handy work to a builder, think you should be more concerned about what the hell is holding your chimney up, looks very dangers. BOB

[Graham Wright]

Originally Posted by bob orbell

Graham, I have just shown your handy work to a builder, think you should be more concerned about what the hell is holding your chimney up, looks very dangers. BOB

A bloody great steel beam! I built it!

[bob orbell]

Yes OK, but what is holding the steel up? are you a builder or a DIY?.

[bob orbell]

Also, are you planning to use the stove, if so, building regs. say that there should be no combustible material within 600mm of the stove, and that looks very close, unless the speaker cabinets are made of steel, or brick, or concrete. BOB

[Graham Wright]

Originally Posted by bob orbell

Yes OK, but what is holding the steel up? are you a builder or a DIY?.

Well - this is very interesting but not helpful!

The steel beam stands on solid blocks.
The blocks above are hollow and not load bearing.
Those above the cabinets are cantilevered out.
The blockwork you can see is hollow as it contains a time capsule.
The flue is clay pipes and below is an aluminium sheet.
The fireplace opening will be lined with steel sheet (to cover the join between cabinet and plaster).

Now - can we get back to the question!

How can I get the sound out of the speakers through the mahogany facings without loss or distortion. This is a hifi forum!