Sensitive speakers for tube amps

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by Cspirou, Sep 29, 2015.

  1. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    FYI everyone, I've contacted planet10 for a quote for an original FH3 flatpack without drivers shipped to SoCal/Nevada area would be $290 + $104. 50% deposit to wait in line. I think his next batch is out in a couple months or so.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Here's some additional information from Dave / planet10 in a PDF. I didn't see it on the website so copying here:

    Drivers We supply 6 “standard” drivers for the Frugel-Horn Mk3 Flat-Paks. Fostex FE126eN2, FF105wKeN, & FF125wKeN, Mark Audio Alpair 7.3eN and Alpair 7PeN. Our drivers are EnABLed +, and matched.

    All 4 of these are very good. They differ in their goals and the context of your needs, tastes, support kit (especially amp(s)), and your room.

    if you have the power the A7.3 (minimum 10W recommended) delivers more than any of the others -- more detail, finesse, top end, and DDR*. It is the least robust of the lot. *(DDR = Downward Dynamic Range. That attribute of a hifi component that gives it the ability to resolve very low level information in the presence of much larger signal. Shows up, if on the recording, as more subtle detail in instruments & voice, better & more 3D image/soundstage & more)

    The FE126eN2 is the goto driver for most people with low power SE amps. It commonly gets used with 2-10 watts or more. The EL70eN (no longer available) can be looked at as a budget paper cone A7, giving up some finesse, some top, but with the best bass of the lot.

    The FF125wKeN can be considered as part way between EL70 & FE126, the FF105wKeN a bit smoother, with slightly better top-end and less bass quantity

    Both the A7 and FE126 are very revealing of an amps shortcomings, FF105 & FF125 gain an edge if the amp doesn’t want its deficiencies shown up..

    A7.3eN is some 7-8 dB less efficient than FE126, FF125 between EL70 & FE126. A7p about the same as FF125

    With FE126 the FH3 ideally has corners to load into, at least walls to help support the bass. The others are not bass shy and one tunes the bass they produce by adjusting the damping below the driver (as well as using room placement).

    FE126, FF105, & FF125 both get special pre & post EnABL treatment to help with specific rough edges that stock versions of these drivers are criticized for -- but they are still Fostex. A7p gets some special pre EnABL treatment.

    A7PeN stands out in that it needs more break-in than any of the others.

    The pre-treatment on these and the light coloured paper cones lend these to custom colour schemes, from conservative to wild. This may help with WAF or lend a hand with some aesthetic goal.

    ---

    I have Sigma FE108EZ (sigma) drivers 4". I also have a pair of FE126En. I don't know if the designs will be different, but I have a preference for the sigma drivers.

    If these are still the drivers you want to use, i would suggest that the Sigma (FE108) would provide the best sonic results but will not be able to play as loud. Neither driver require rebates, but we provide FE126 baffles with a rebate, FE108e… without.
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2017
  3. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I'm kind of interested in getting the Zu Omen Dirty Weekend as they give 60 day in home trial with no hassle returns, even pay for shipping. Would these pair well with the Aficionado Speak On outs?

    http://www.zuaudio.com/sale/omen-dirty-weekend-2-d6z3s

     
  4. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Hahahahaha well now looking at Omega CAMs after my brief foray with the Orcas. The CAMs seem to be well suited for a near field setup and can be placed closer to walls. They also sit at a nice price point.

    https://omegaloudspeakers.com/products/compact-alnico-monitor?variant=32172350732

    I'm wondering if these will pair well with Aficionado and if they are going to be good enough or should I stretch for one of the other models.
     
  5. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    @cskippy I was looking at those too.

    40cm H × 30cm W × 22cm W

    I might be able to fit these if I slam them right up against the wall.

    They are really really wide though, they're still properly wide.

    I think I'll wait till our new place is ready and see how much space a 34" uw screen leaves.
     
  6. Ziva

    Ziva Friend

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    I have used the AF with the Super Alnico XRS (floorstanders - now discontinued). The pairing is stunning (the AF sounds a full level better with speakers than headphones IMO). I would say as long as you are going with a larger Omega driver, you can't go wrong. Louis is good to talk to if you want to compare this vs Super 7 Monitor for your purposes. The performance of any of these should be better than the Orcas. One warning: you have to burn them in.
     
  7. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    for hi efficiency, yes widebanders are great, but people should know their limitations and/or if they like how they sound. yes, small widebanders offer better HF, but at the expense of a small image, limited dynamics, ect. and bigger widebanders sounds more natural to me but offer less linear FR.

    for high eff, another possibility is to go with big vintage speakers. Altec 19, model 14, 604, modified valentia, ect. Tannoy possibly need more then 10 watts. same with vintage jbl like 4430, but may work.

    There's many options In the DIY realms, Pi 4 speakers http://www.pispeakers.com/
    The diyhifisupply crescendo speakers are 98db efficient offer also a interesting option. http://shop.diyhifisupply.com/product-category/kits-assembled/crescendo-ribbon-horn-speaker/
    Fusion 12 tempest designed by Bagby is also worth consideration https://www.diysoundgroup.com/tempest-12.html


    Ill personally build a 3 way that will be around 95db using the eminence omega pro 15, audax pr170mo mid and hivi rt2h.

    all this to say, many options in the hi eff realms!
     
  8. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    He's reintroduced them (SA XRS) under the custom series - mine is probably in the build process now I hope.

    I just need an AF (and the money to purchase one).
     
  9. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    The diyaudio store is carrying fullrange drivers from Scandanavian Audio Labs.

    http://scandinavianaudiolabs.com/

    They are not cheap at $500 each. Nelson Pass and Dick Olsher speak favorably of them. Sensitivity is 94dB and are meant to be open baffle. They would probably work well with Pure Audio Project baffles.
     
  10. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I've been following this guy with a lot of interest

    https://josephcrowe.com/

    He's a former mechanical engineer for some large automotive company and then quit to dedicate himself full time to designing and producing speakers. His automotive experience is apparent as he fully renders every single one of his designs and does acoustic modeling before he builds a prototype. The measurements he releases are very thorough too, particularly his dispersion plots.

    For horns and baffles, he sells them finished and for cabinets he sells flatpacks. What I really like though if that he sells plans and CNC models for just about everything. Allowing you to make your own if you have access to the equipment.

    i'm definitely going to make his front horn for 4" fostex speakers and will document the process
     
  11. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I ran into this bit about why single ended amps work so well full range drivers by John Broskie:

    https://www.tubecad.com/2005/March/blog0041.htm
     

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