Building the Reference Rhapsody Speakers - Post 5 (conclusion)

The final instalment in this series of articles.Following completion of cabinet construction, completion works for the Reference Rhapsody loudspeakers includes timber surface finishing, fitting of crossovers, ports, drivers and internal wiring. Here, the cabinets have had their first in many coats of Danish oil:

Crossovers have to have lead-out wires soldered into place for connection to the rear binding post panels and to connect them to the drivers:

Working on the wiring for the Reference Rhapsody Crossover boards to ready them for installation

Crossovers then installed into the base of the cabinets. These are fitted on vibration absorbant feet and once secured into place, an acoustic foam panel is placed over them to prevent unwanted internal acoustic reflection.

Reference Rhapsody Crossovers fitted into place within the speaker cabinets

The rear panels containing the binding posts and rear information panel are then fitted into place:

Binding post rear panels for the Reference Rhapsody loudspeakers

The cabinets are subject to additional coats of Danish Oil which is left to harden once a smooth final coat has been applied. Following this, the drive units are installed and the Reference Rhapsodys are tested and put through their paces. Each pair is tested and bedded in for the customer. The customer also receives a detailed construction file and response plots for impedance curves, an in-room acoustic response. The process of acoustic measurement is undertaken to ensure that each pair is properly matched (to within less than 1dB) and that the customer has the full impedance curves to help with future selection of matching amplifiers where appropriate. very few loudspeaker manufacturers provide this comprehensive information pack but here at Reference Fidelity components, we believe it is nothing less than the final customer requires for such a high quality bespoke pair of loudspeakers.

During the bedding in period, cabinets receive further surface treatments using a mix of Beeswax and Carnauba wax to build a deep lustre and attractive patina to help define the beautiful grain patterns in the timber. Maintenance advice for the finish is provided with the customer’s information pack.