Briks dust covers and setup

Posted by: gusi on 24 May 2002

A few months ago I replaced my ELAs with a pair of briks. After upgrading to a 250, the 110 just didn't cut it, they sound pretty good.

However they came without the front dust covers. The top dust covers are there.

Previously I read in this forum that the covers not only protect the speakers from dust but also blend the sound from the drivers together. From photos of other briks they look good too.

I like the current sound. But it would be interesting to hear the difference with and without covers. Has anyone experimented with this.

Where would I be able to get new covers or what could be used as a replacement?

My briks are rock solid on the floor but not entirely level. Put a spirit level on it and it is slightly skew. Even the plain old non mana level shows this. Does it make an audible difference if it is not level?

I would have to invest in extra cornflakes to lift the things on and off the stands a dozen times when getting it level. I have an uneven tile floor and shifting the things just a few inches means you have to adjust the leveling screws.

I am using the original linn stands.

Posted on: 24 May 2002 by Tim Danaher

Hi Gusi --

Linn make replacement covers, but they are just fabric stretched over hardboard -- and they cost £200 a set.

I know what you mean about the grilles adding to that 'Brik Aesthetic'.

Anyway, you could try speaker specialists like Wilmslow Audio (Do a Google Search or search these forums) They sell acoustically transparent speaker foam in a range of colours/designs, and I'm sure they could ship to Singapore.

Good Luck -- and enjoy your Isobariks!

Tim

Posted on: 24 May 2002 by Dave J

To echo the responses above, I keep the top grills on and the fronts off. IMO it sounds best this way.

Haven't found much of an impact in having the speakers perfectly level although ensuring that they are 100% stable is critical.

Earlier this week I tightened up the mid and treble units with an allen key having found that there was an easy quarter turn of slack. This seems to have cleaned things up a great deal. I'm also a keen advocate of 'tweeter hoovering'.

Cheers

Dave

Posted on: 29 May 2002 by gusi

Thanks guys, I'll have a look for some replacement foamies.

The gbp200 replacements sound a bit expensive, but maybe that is just my dutchness coming through.

I saw a picture of the mana briks stands elsewhere in this forum but I couldn't quite see where the crossover boards go.

I have late model briks 77** and the crossovers fit in the open linn stands. The mana's seemed quite a lot shorter without space for the cross overs.

I tightened the tweeters as well the other day most screws turned 180-360. Is there a recommened setting for hi-end tweeters, these seem to dent if tightened too much.

The woofers screws are covered. Do these rattle loose much?

What about the second woofer? I suppose there is an accoustically coupled woofer lurking around inside somewhere.

Gus

Posted on: 29 May 2002 by Hermann

quote:
I have late model briks 77** and the crossovers fit in the open linn stands. The mana's seemed quite a lot shorter without space for the cross overs.

Have a look at this picture. External crossover fits perfectly under a Mana brik stand.

Cheers

Hermann

Posted on: 29 May 2002 by gusi

Hermann,

That looks good, it fits in properly.

Is that a level 4 mana? I am counting 4 levels.

How does it compare to the linn stands and the level 1 manas.

I got a very reaonable quote from Wilmslow for the speaker grills, only ukp17+ per sheet. Sure beats the linn covers.

Gus

Posted on: 29 May 2002 by monkfish

posted MONDAY 11 February 2002 10:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isobarik

I had the same problem with the Isobarik's covers and someone kindly steered me towards a firm called http://www.falcon-acoustics.co.uk/pl28p8.htm
they were able to supply me with sheets of acoustically transparent foam (3 sheets is enough to re-cover the front and tops and cost me £19 including postage). I am very happy with the results and the speakers now IMHO look very smart.
Good Luck
Jim

Posted on: 30 May 2002 by Hermann

Well it is phase 4 for the speaker and soon phase 7.
Compared to the original Linn stand? Oh dear everything is better even with phase 1 (only the stand w/o Soundstages underneath). It seems that the frequency range expanded. The system gets faster and cleaner. Most important the system plays better music!

Better asking that question the guys on the other forum.

Cheers
Hermann