Building an Acousta - Davids Journey

When David first stumbled across Lowther, it wasn’t through a new product launch or a glossy showroom, but in a vintage store. Two years ago, he spotted a pair of piano-black Academys that were in need of serious repair — the surrounds had completely broken down.

“I know a lot about hi-fi, but I knew nothing about Lowther,” he told us. “So I started researching. I found your website and the group on Facebook. With help from the guys there, I restored the Academys. Then I was infected.”

While many of his friends had embraced DSP and Class D, David found himself drawn in the opposite direction — to the purity of full-range drivers and valves. “I liked the way of pure music, without processing. I’m now the tube/fullrange guy,” he laughs.

From Restorer to Builder

After restoring the Academys, David came across another challenge: the empty wooden cabinets of a pair of Classic 400s. He rebuilt them entirely on his own. That project planted the seed for something bigger.

As a fan of both design and interior aesthetics, the Acousta 116 caught his eye. “The Acousta is a design beauty. I was looking for plans because I had never built anything in wood before — I’d done more metal work. But I knew I was a good craftsman… so I started the build.”

The drivers he sourced — PM2A Mk1s in very poor condition — became a project in themselves. He restored them too, even though they weren’t the perfect match for the Acousta.

Lowther will help with repairs, upgrades and repairs to old Lowther drive units. A 20% discount on all new Lowther drive units is available to all Lowther listeners through our Lowther for Life programme.

https://www.lowtherloudspeakers.com/family

The Build

Why take on the challenge? His answer was simple: “Because I can.”

Working without CNC machines, David relied on precision and patience. “The biggest challenge was to work very exactly, with basic tools.” Each day of progress brought its own reward. “It was really satisfying to see the success every day.”

First Listen

When the build was complete, the moment of truth came with the first play. “It was very exciting. But I’m a very critical listener too. I knew there must be some improvements.”

True to the Lowther spirit of continuous refinement, David immediately began experimenting. He damped the cabinet with 5mm of sheep’s wool directly behind the driver, softening and smoothing the sound.

More Than Just a Speaker

For David, the Acousta 116 represents more than craftsmanship. It is permanence in an age of the disposable.

“It means I built something that lasts almost forever. I love that in a fast world. They’ve looked great since the 60s — timeless design. Not fancy… just solid wood, good sounding, good looking.”

Today, his system includes a Chord Chordette DAC, Chord Chordette Prime preamp, and a Yaqin MC10T tube amplifier — a fitting chain for his handmade Acousta.

A Testament to Craftsmanship

David’s story is a reminder of what makes Lowther unique. Not just the sound, but the philosophy: design that endures, music without compromise, and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful with one’s own hands.

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