4-5" alnico fulrange for monitor project

[limono]

Anybody could recommend small alnico driver with 89-90db efficiency which would comfortable go to around 10-12kHz? I have a nice Expolinar alnico ribbon tweeter and for a quite a bit looking for suitable mid-woofer to cross with 6dB at 10kHz as a helper tweeter . Fostex F120 fits the bill (although I did not hear it) but with its US price of ~$400 a pair just to expensive. The requirement is 89-90 dB, 8ohm ,paper cone ,alnico motor , smooth response and decent price. Thanks, L

[Nanook]

in that efficiency range there are other types that will provide you with good sounds and efficiency.


others from Fostex, etc, could fit the bill.

[tinitus]

I dont think I like the membrane on F120A
but FX120 is said to be a nice driver
There is also the alltime starr, Tangband W3-871SA(new in black)
Or maybe Veravox 5S/X
And not to forget the small 50mm Jordan

I admit not to have heard any of these and have learned not rely entirely on others judgement

[limono]

Actually I have never compared but I think I like how alnico drivers sound . I heard a few vintage units and liked their tone. Thy are too efficient for the ribbons I have though. I have Audax 6.5 aerogel right know but they are marginal for the job (although that was original german design some years ago in "Klang & Ton" called ESPRIT ) aerogel cone has a heavy break up modes over 3k and ribbon should be crossed much much higher . I also don't want typical for small woofers forced pumped bass sound (like all those abbys, omegas, totems impressive speakers ) just natural roll off in closed box. Thanks.L

[Nanook]

Ok, but having never done a comparison a lot of research may be required. Also, again,(a typical lack of information),what's too expensive. or not too expensive?

Is $300 a pair too expensive? or 200?
What type of enclosure are you considering? once answered the field narrows considerably, and considerably fast

[Gregm]

Originally posted by Nanook
Is $300 a pair too expensive? or 200?
What type of enclosure are you considering? once answered the field narrows considerably, and considerably fast

Good points. Further on enclosure, must it be a 2-way / or alternatively, must it be a 4-5"??? I mean, how far down in freq would you like the 4-5" to go??

[el`Ol]

The Diatone P-610 has lower sensitivity than the typical vintage alnicos. See FR graph at http://www.spectrumaudio.de. And probably there are also some smaller radio speakers that are less sensitive, does anybody know how sensitive the oval Sabas are?

[limono]

Ok, $150 a pair for 4"-5" seems reasonable. I'd prefer closed box , something like LS 3/5 with a little higher efficiency .Fostex does look like a perfect candidate .Anybody wants to trade it for a mint pair of FE208 +some cash????Thank you.L

[Nanook]

limino,

why not build something with the 208's (which ones particularly?). Seems you could have great sound with something you already own! If higher frequecies need a "boost", consider getting a different set of tweeters.

Not sure what the real goal is. Is it the physical size of the enclosures needed for the 208s, or the hope for a small monitor for it's own sake? I'm gettin a little confused.

[limono]

As I said I'm looking for a mate to the alnico ribbon tweeters I have for little monito project . They(ribbons) are 89-90 dB so I'm looking for the 4"-5" alnico driver in that range because I'd like to cross ribbons ~10kHz and with drivers bigger than 4"-5" it is not that easy ,and I want reference (or close)upper mid , mid ,low-mid , mid-bass. Thats why I don't want to introduce any port noise nor port bass into the mix .The speakers would be used fullrange in bedroom ,office (or with some woofer cab I may knock-off later to have some bass). I'm using Fostex 208 Sigma (the latest one ) in my main system in front horn as a temporary solution.(augmented by horn tweeter ) I'm not very fond of it although I heard it sounds good in Basszilla with Aurum Cantus G2SI. Everything clear now??.