Blumenstein Orca and Fostex P1000-BH measurements

For subjective impressions and more information about these speakers, check out the following links:

• https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/blumenstein-orcas.2943/
• https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...comparisons-ph1000-blumenstein-orca-etc.6136/

Measurements were taken nearfield approximately 1.5 feet away. Speakers were put up on a stool and about 2 feet from a back wall.

Blumenstein Orca Frequency Response (1/3 and 1/9 octave smoothed)



Fostex P1000-BH Kit Frequency Response (1/3 and 1/9 octave smoothed)

 

Orca vs P1000-BH Frequency Response
Orca = GREEN
P1000 = PURPLE

 

From here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/blumenstein-orcas.2943/page-12



Left + Right:


For reference, this is what a neutral monitor should measure like at the listening position. We should expect a 1db per octave downward slope.

JBL305

 

@cskippy: I assume those are listening position measurements? Less on-axis might tame the brightness, but also make worse the last octave rolloff and highlight the 1-2kHz shout. Your measurements seem consistent with my measurements. You do get a bit of bump at 180-200Hz and 100Hz, but I assume those bass bumps are from the wall and desk. Otherwise we see shared traits from 200Hz up. The 200Hz to 1kHz area could have been filled in a bit more, that lean tonality was a deal breaker for me.

The P1000, despite the 280Hz dip (probably caused by the interfaction between the driver and BLH), sounded much fuller and with greater air compared to the Orca. The P1000 has its own problems, the 1kHz shout; but also sounded significantly more open and less congested.

 

Seems there is some good bass reinforcement from the wall relative to the measurements done outside.

 

I was hoping the wall would reinforce the 250-900Hz region. But this already fits in with what I heard from my subjective impressions.

 

If these are running w/o cross-overs or any kind of compensation, I'm actually pretty surprised at how well the upper mids and treble are behaving.

I know it sort of defeats the purpose of not using electronics in the chain. But some small amount of compensation (assuming the kits and the Orcas supply none), may go a long way. Then again, one could use active compensation of course (DSP/EQ), depending on setup.

 

I'd rather put in an RLC circuit on the P1000. It's a much simpler candidate. The driver is bigger, there is more high end extension, and the sound is more lively. Also the P1000 is dirt cheap.

 

Building in 5-6db baffle step to mitigate the lean lower mids of the Orca is going to decrease efficiency and increase distortion too. Then there is the matter of the small spikes at 2k and 10kHz.

I'm keeping the P1000 for experiments. Just way more potential regardless of cost.

 

Yup. The P1000 is a much better package based on the results. And it costs less.

EDIT: I think the drivers for the P1000 are like $50 a pop!