Scanspeak Illuminator 18WU/8747T-00, 7" Aluminum Cone Woofer

I wanted to improve my left/right speakers in my theater system. My previous build with Scanspeak Illuminator drivers was so satisfying I didn't want to take any chances with other drivers. The 18WU/8747T with a D3004/662000 tweeter turned out as I wanted. Even though it is not broken in yet I would be happy with this in my stereo system. In a stereo I would have a subwoofer for the very low notes.

I wanted to upgrade my stereo gear simply because I know there are way better sound out there. I decided to start with the woofers as I read a lot of reviews from great online sites and also from users or readers I considered wiser, and someone said something I now know is one truth. Everything is important but most of the instruments, guitars, pianos, saxons or drums even human voice produce very important waves at around 300 Hz. I had already a pair of KEF 3000 satellites so the upper range will have to wait for budget reasons and because the Kefs produce a decent voice. Also I prefer stereo for music and I did not wanted to just add a subwoofer, even a musical one.

Because I have a small studio room (12 x 9) and I am located in a building apartment I did not wanted to have social problems with the neighbors I chose these 6' Illuminator woofers. Also because of the sale price here at Madisound and because I read pertinent articles on Troels Gravesen about Scanspeak drivers and speaker building. So I ended up with a custom build 3 ways.

I took some risky decisions because I am a newbe at this and needed great flexibility with my woofer positioning:
After reading a lot and doing some calculations and measurements I got a pair of 18WU/8747T-00 from Madisound.
I builded some 22 liter cabinets on my own only to house the woofers (my very first experience with wood and with speaker cabinets.
I decided to go with sealed cabinets for better definition. 3/4 inch on sides and 1 on front.
And I went the harder way with bended wood for the side walls.
Also I downloaded the speaker calculator from Scanspeak site and took a chance with 1 mH air coils dampened with fiberglass at aroung 50% of volume.

Here is my verdict:
I have only been listening my new speakers for only 3 days and the drivers are not fully broken yet but, BUT wow!!! I am so happy. These is serous sound. Period. It improves a lot of clarity, definition, imaging and power over the KEFs on 50-1000 Hz. No offense because my KEFs are still budget HIFI.

I am using an Emotiva amp with a NAD preamp, the Audioquest mini DAC with Forest interconnects and my MAC computer with uncompressed files. My other speakers are a pair of KEF sats that are in front of my screen separated by 4 f. I am using an L-pad to graduate the KEF as they are a bit more sensitive.

My next move maybe on some Scanspeak Illuminator tweeters also with a better DAC.