My impression of the Planet10 Fonken

[Timn8ter]

I just concluded a very nice visit with "chrisb" and "t3h GeeK" who stopped by my home while on an international junket. They had a pair of Planet10 Fonkens with them. The Fonkens were connected to my EL34 PP amp using a Decware modded SACD player as the source and my own little 10" sealed sub.
This particular pair of Fonkens had just received BudP's EnABL modification to the Fostex FE127E drivers.
I've played around a fair bit with the FE127E so I'm acquainted with their performance pluses and minuses.
This pair of speakers performed much better than I thought they would. A simply beautiful mid-range without the typical Fostex "shout".
I found the aperiodic cabinet to be an elegant solution to the FE127E's problem of "slapping" when over-driven: control the cone using the "spring" of the internal air mass.
I've admittedly grown a bit cold over the years toward Fostex drivers due to their typical upper mid-range distortion but these didn't exhibit that trait, at least not that I could detect. We listened to an assortment of music for about 3 hours. I pushed them pretty hard a couple of times with "Monty Meets Sly and Robbie" and "Alice In Chains:Unplugged" and they handled the task admirably.
If you've been contemplating a single full range driver bookshelf I strongly suggest giving this design a try.

Planet 10 Fonken Plans

BudP's FE127E Modification

DIY Audio Forum Discussion of the BudP Mod

[chrisb]

and the Winston Ma violin recordings could bring tears to your eyes for all the RIGHT reasons - what was the artist's name again?

thanks for the hospitality Tim & Ali

[Timn8ter]

Yes, there was a definite emotional response listening to Linda Rosenthal. The Fonkens made it easy to forget the equipment and become immersed in the music.
Linda's recordings are available from First Impression Music.

http://www.fimpression.com/detail.aspx?ID=36

http://www.fimpression.com/detail.aspx?ID=30

http://www.fimpression.com/detail.aspx?ID=29

We also listened to the Yamamoto, Tsuyoshi Trio which I recall you enjoying Chris.
http://www.fimpression.com/detail.aspx?ID=99

It was very enjoyable and we were happy to host you and Gregg.

[BudP]

Hi Tim,

Yes, these Canadian guys are nice guests, very civilized and they do some pretty awesome cabinetry.

My only additions to your comments would center on the Bass. The drivers in those lovely cabinets, before the EnABL'd drivers were installed, were quite good sounding and also removed the Fostex Mid Hi distortion and shoutyness. They did exhibit a furry, thick bass line, that disappeared with the new drivers. The Bass was there, but very lean and muscular sounding. I prefer this but others may not. I was wondering if the new drivers had loosened up while playing in your venue. They were certainly hinting that they could portray the full weight of an orchestra, when here.

What I think we should do is get these friendly Canadian guys to send another pair of boxes down, EnABL the box face and sides and treat another pair of Fostex drivers. Have you play them until they are broken in and then all get together and listen.

When played here, driven by George Wright's truly excellent model 7 SE 300 B prototypes, to levels of 103 to 104 dB, with Levine and the CSO attacking the Groffe orchestration of Rhapsody in Blue, the Fostex drivers were actually overdriving the cabinets and causing slight dissonance, due to standing waves arising, even on these clever designs.

A fully treated set of boxes and drivers should return just about twice the clarity and contact with the emotion and art you were experiencing. Plus, the boxes will just disappear and the sound field will become stable, pinpoint in placement and infinitely deep.

I think we all need to have this happen to us and it would be most fun done together.

Hoping to meet you eventually.

Bud

[chrisb]

Bud, this sounds like a most excellent proposal. Let's generate lots of documentation of your invitation for our friends in blue - it could make for a much easier border crossing.

Maybe you and Tim could meet us for lunch at Sumas? Would there be a decent Thai place nearby or is it cowboy food only?

I note with interest on the map that the local street name for Route 9 within the city boundaries is Cherry. Most amusing in retrospect, because after our short "inspection", I felt as if I had one taken that after my last prostate exam, I didn't know still existed.

What's a bit scary is that I'm sure it's no problem recruiting officers who enjoy the sense of power this job allows.

"remember son, you're a visitor here, and I'm only doing my job to protect us from an enemy that could like anyone.................."


all the citizens I've met on this and earlier trips have been great - it's the "patriots" that scare me


(big brother, did you get that all down? - I don't want to be evasive)


Just a cathartic little black humor, folks - a bit of bother with the Immigration authorities. "Audio, what's that, and you're getting together to do what?"


Regarding George's amps - how long does he plan to keep these at prototype stage? and do you have any idea of proposed selling price? These are quite delicious, without the "extra flavor" that I've found in most 300B's that I've found a bit overwhelming to my tastebuds.

I'd estimate the total acoustic volume of Tim's room to be at least twice yours, and in addition his musical tastes and listening levels require the use of powered subwoofer. We didn't spend much time listening without, so he'd have a hard time assessing the bass performance of the unassisted FE127.

I'm obviously quite familiar with the performance of is design, and in my own situation, it's more than adequate without, even before 'Bud's Black Magic" voodoo mojo. Now, if treating the enclosure can reduce or eliminate the diffraction signature and assist in the box's disappearing act, I can see it being even more of a challenge to augment the bottom seamlessly

[Scottmoose]

Glad to hear the Fonkens are getting near-universal approval where and whenever they turn up. They sound like remarkable little boxes.

[vinylkid58]

I found the aperiodic cabinet to be an elegant solution to the FE127E's problem of "slapping" when over-driven: control the cone using the "spring" of the internal air mass.

I've never experienced cone "slapping" in my Fonkens, I also have an EL34 PP amp and have driven them very hard with all kinds of rock and hip-hop etc.
Thanks for posting the pics of the cone treatment Tim. Looks very cool.

Just a cathartic little black humor, folks - a bit of bother with the Immigration authorities. "Audio, what's that, and you're getting together to do what?"

Chris, glad to hear you're not the only one who gets a hard time crossing the border.

Jeff

[chrisb]

Originally posted by vinylkid58


I've never experienced cone "slapping" in my Fonkens, I also have an EL34 PP amp and have driven them very hard with all kinds of rock and hip-hop etc.
Thanks for posting the pics of the cone treatment Tim. Looks very cool.


Jeff

On a driver this small, and with the particular colour of paint that Bud used for the blocks, they actually do look very artistic - but you should drop by Dave's place before the 'fest to get a real opportunity to hear them. (two words - Single Ended)

[Timn8ter]

We had discussed the "marketability" of drivers with little dots all over them but they didn't look bad at all.

[chrisb]

Originally posted by Timn8ter
We had discussed the "marketability" of drivers with little dots all over them but they didn't look bad at all.

I think the prologue is complete, but Bud and others have much more to contribute to this saga - whether commercial marketing of is included is a very interesting question.