Fostex recommended FE103 Enclosure

[Rega]

I was planning on building the Fostex recommended BLH FE103 enclosure and came across the CSS FR125 speaker from creative sounds. Will this driver work in this enclosure or would I be better off sticking with the FE103.

This is my first foray in this areana and I wanted to start with something simple that sounds good and then go from there.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[gmilitano]

No. The parameters are completely different. What kind of amp do you have? The CSS driver did not sound good with tube or single ended amps. It also has a very low efficiency.

[Scottmoose]

To be honest, you'd probably be better off not using either. The FE103E cabinet has uses, but it's not much cop with the 103 either. Dave (planet10) has a pair, and AFAIK, even with his considerable experience with different cabinets & drivers, he simply can't get them to work well. I'm not entirely surprised -that box is tuned far too low for the driver IMO. If you can stretch the budget slightly to the FE126E or FE127E, you'll have a whole lot more cabinet options available to you.

[Rega]

I have a NAD 710 receiver that I will initially be using. Since it has a separate pre / power amp, I will look into a separate amp down the road.

The cost difference for a pair of FE126E is only about $20 more so I don't mind going with those. I also like the Fostex recommended enclosure. Do you have any thoughts on this enclosure.

[gmilitano]

Some are happy with the FE126E hybrid.

http://www.greenie512.net/greenie512...e_rebuild.html

But I suspect it would preform better in a frugal horn.

[planet10]

Originally posted by Scottmoose
The FE103E cabinet ... the FE126E or FE127E,

Neither the factory 103 enclosure or the 126 enclosure are all that hot. The 103 box is quite honky, and the 125 box has you speculating about adding a woofer (in which case you might as well just use an OB or an aperiodic box.

The P10 box library, and the Frugal-horn site have ALOT of options for the FE126 & FE127 (and growing). Some very simple to build.

dave

[holdent]

I'll second Scottmoose's opinion about the Fostex recommended BLH for the FE103E. I never could get it to sound particularly good despite a considerable amount of effort. Its not a simple build either and requires a significant amount of table saw use. The BR for this driver sounds a lot better and is a simple build.

[Rega]

After searching some more I have decided to build Ron's A126 horn design. I plan on finishing them in a gloss black with the speaker binding post mounted lower on the back. I have put together a full size MS Visio drawing of the front and side internal and external layout to use as a template for building. I am going to get it printed out on a plotter and then transferred to foam board to use a template. I will build them over the Christmas holidays.

Can I hook the FE126's to a receiver without the cabinets for a couple of days to break them in.

Thanks for all your assistance.

[chrisb]

You probably couldn't find a more thoroughly engineered or better sounding DIY design for the FE126 than Ron's A126 (or commercial product for that matter)

Be prepared to spend some time experimenting with both the suprabaffle, and the rear prism deflector

You're using foam board as a template - may I ask without invoking a revisit to the "why / why not" thread, what construction material are you planning on?

[planet10]

Originally posted by Rega
I have decided to build Ron's A126 horn design....I have put together a full size MS Visio drawing

I echo Chris' post. The A126 and the A166 represent probably the most advanced designs you'll see, Ido hope you plan on using FE126e and not FE103e. They do require at least wall placement (but due to their size still stick out into the room a number of feet)

I'd also love a copy of the Visio (in a format i can read), i am sorely behind at redrawing the plans for the RonHorns.

dave