Can't Decide : 127 or 167 or a 3 or 4" TB

[jonnyrockets]

Hello All!

Hope this isn't a blatant repost - in all my searches - I see questions on individual drivers - this post is pretty much - there's all these drivers - I can't make up my mind!

Looking at building my first pair of speakers.
Can't decide which drivers to build my cabinets around.

A couple things -

Value : The less expensive at his point in life, the better - BUT, I still want to be happy with what I choose to build. (I'm in Canada, so reccomendations / experiences on where to get equipment is a bonus.)

AMP : I have a couple options, but would like something that can be driven by the SI T-Amp. That's why it's looking like the Fostex are better options becasue of sensitivity - But the TB look oh so sexy.

Size : My wife will go nuts if I build anything large. SO - I love the look of needles, the look of other needle lookalikes with a horn firing backwards, Also love small bookshelf designs.

Examples - The Tekton and Fritz designs on ebay using Fostex drivers really appeal to me in terms of very small size. Wondering what the design inside would be like to get 55hz lowers out of the 4.5" driver as stated on this auction page:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tekton-Design-Fo...QQcmdZViewItem

Skill : I'm not to afraid to try anything. I have all the tools I'd need to do a speaker cabinet, and if I don't know how to do something, I love learning.

Am I missing anything? Any suggestions?

Basically - I don't have a ton of money, but want a good musical speaker for everyday listening. Less Money = better, but again, if you feel the jump up in cash hits a "sweet spot" not available in a lower price range - I'll very much consider it.

Questions, Answers, Suggestions - welcome them all!

Jonathan

[Nanook]

I can say that two alternatives "spring" to mind instantly in regards to a couple of drivers qand a couple of ideas...

Fonkens or similar:
Fonkens from planet10

and /or the Aperto:
Hemp Acoustics

I have experience with both, and both are excellent, particularly with small t-amps (I have a 41Hz Amp 6 Basic , and it drove and made music on both!).

As far as small TLs or Horns, I'll leave that to others, as I have no personal experience with either.

[edjosh23]

What size is your room?
Are they going to be close to the wall?
Do you have a dedicated sub?

I prefer Fostex drivers over TB. One plus about the Fostex is that there are lots of published designs, thanks to P10, scottmoose, and others. You said the smaller the better, but you mentioned needles, does that mean floorstanders are okay?

I think that with the large variety of designs for the fostex drivers they are your best bet. I like to try different designs and the FE127 has definately allowed me to do that.

Thanks,

Josh

[jonnyrockets]

The Floorstanding Fonken mkii and regular fonken floorstander look intriguing.

I appreciate the link on the Hemp design - I'm looking for a smoother look though.

Question - anyone have experience with the 2 different floorstanders listed on the Fonken page - Hows the lower end of these units? Would these or the tang band cyburg needles perform better with my little Si T-amp.

I was leaning a little more to the desktop bookshelf speaker design, Like the tekton or fritz designs on ebay. Any glowing reviews on certain small enclosures for these? Just use Fostex's reccomended BR enclosure?

Thanks again!

Jonathan

[davidallancole]

Hey Jonny, were in Saskatchewan are you from?

[jonnyrockets]

David - from Saskatoon. I guess we're rivals now?

Anyway - did a bunch of browsing last night on this, and also that German forum where I can't understand a thing but can look at pretty pictures.

People seem to like the needle here and there, find it has pretty good bass characteristics - Of course - the Stick looks like it'd be even better for that. All while staying very low cost for a DIY project.

I realize I'm all over the map here. sorry!

As for size of room - it's in my basement - probably about 14 ft wide, 32 ft long. with somewhat of a division as well. I don't need very loud levels - the wifey doesn't like loud.

[vinylkid58]

Originally posted by jonnyrockets

As for size of room - it's in my basement - probably about 14 ft wide, 32 ft long. with somewhat of a division as well. I don't need very loud levels - the wifey doesn't like loud.

Sounds like the beginnings of a man cave. Start insulating that room, then you can listen at a fairly decent level and not bother anyone.

I have a pair of Fonkens BTW, based on the Planet_10 design. They are going to be very tough to beat for a monitor size box, and make a great first build if you are just starting. Just be aware that there isn't going to be much bass below 50Hz, especially in a big room, but they will play quite loud if you feel like dancing.

Jeff

[Nanook]

I think I can be classified as a "honourary Saskatchewanite"... er so the world shrinks....

The Fostex drivers are a good value, as are the Hemps as I have stated. The planet10 designs are excellent (again as previously stated), but make sure you buy the modded drivers from Dave.

And I guess you need to decide what is acceptable to your wife or not. chrisb's Milevas as seen at the Vancouver Island DIY fest are stunners. and not very big...

[planet10]

My dad grew up in Saskatoon (played for the Hilltops before the Eskimos grabbed him) and i've spent some time there.

All 4 of the Fonkens on the Fonkens page are based on the same concept... the best sounding is the Fonken, next best the GR Fonken (nothing stopping you from mounting the driver on the side to give it an aspect like the eBay guys BR), then the FS II, then the FS. There is also a ZigmaHornet shaped Chang coming. No BR is going to be as well behaved as any of these. Also a report in Affordable Audio (Oct) that the FE126 works in the ZigmaHornet.

The eBay is a bit optimistic with his low end extension estimates. If you try to get that low the FE127 is going to get lumpy (and that he offers to sub in a pair of FE126 either points to he hasn't a clue, or is just being dishonets... a 126 just doesn't do much in a BR box. (nice to see he is offering plywood now after i poked him about that -- the premium seems a bit high thou)

A note on my drivers, Thes ewill be moving upmarket a bit as all drivers start to go out EnABLed... I do have a few pairs of FE127 & FE126 that had the old treatment with EnABL added (plus the basket stiffening mode -- thread coming up on that). This remaining old stock will go out at the old price (ie the EnABL + mods for free). Performance is 95-101% of the new model and an order of magnitude better than they were before EnABL. (ie price on these is about the same as Solen's price for stock units) or what it would cost to bring a pair across the border from Madisound.

dave

[planet10]

If you want a really small box, the 3rd iteration of the milliFonken (mFonken) should be playing by next week. This should be the release version.

dave