FR125S with Gainclone?

[quickbrownfox]

I've been reading some great things about the FR125S driver. Can anyone tell me whether this speaker could be driven satisfactorily by an LM3875-based gainclone? What about an LM3886?

[ruerose]

I run mine off a Sonic T-Amp (15W/ch), enough power for near-field and low-moderate volume (85dbc-ish on pop music) mid-field listening. (smoking awesome sound quality)

I had them hooked up to a 50w/ch Panny digital HT reciever, but any louder and they started breaking up anyways. (the panny is a little harsh sounding with these as well)

So if you using them in a near-field application, I would say it should be plenty. Even mid-field they should have enough juice for quiet-critical listening. Just don't expect to rock the house with a driver this small. My listening environment is rather quiet at as well.

[Robert F]

I use exactly this combination i.e. 3875 with FR125 based speakers. I am really pleased with the sound.

Rob.

[quickbrownfox]

If I do want something that I can turn up kind of loud occasionally, is there another driver that might be better suited to the task? I'm not trying to wake up the neighbors or anything, but I'd like to be able to fill up my living room with sound.

[Scottmoose]

That would depend on how large your living room is.

If you want some scale & like to turn the wick up a bit every now & then, I'd be looking at a pair of FE167Es. Not as delicate or holographic as the smaller drivers, but they can shift a bit more air. They're my current FR reference unit, in my own MLTLs.

[Cal Weldon]

I'm with Scott and the others. Great little driver but meant for critical listening not party time.

Is there enough in the budget to do both? You can find some cheap pre-built party speakers and keep them in the closet until needed.

[quickbrownfox]

Would a bit of gain at the preamp stage help to get a little more juice to the FR125?

[Scottmoose]

Probably, but your main problem if you want room-filling is the small cone area. They just don't shift enough air.

[Bas Horneman]

It is sufficient to use an LM3875 especially near field or small room. But I've found that something that can deliver more current/power like a Rod Elliot's p3a for example makes them come to life.

[quickbrownfox]

Originally posted by Cal Weldon
I'm with Scott and the others. Great little driver but meant for critical listening not party time.

Is there enough in the budget to do both? You can find some cheap pre-built party speakers and keep them in the closet until needed.

I think this is probably what I'll end up doing. Can anyone recommend a transformer for powering the FR125S from an LM3875? This will be a monoblock amplifier, if that makes a difference.