LOWTHER vs FOSTEX -Opinions please

[TEXAS TOMM]

I want to build a high efficiency horn enclosure such as the Lowther Fidelio, but have paused to reflect on the price of DX and EX Lowther drivers 300 - 750 GB Pounds compared to Fostex
FE208E Sigma 150.00 (additional tweeter- T90A- probably required + another 115 Pounds ) or, for instance FE206E - 75.00 Pounds All the speakers mentioned here are in the region of 96/97 dB efficient. It probably stands to reason that the Lowthers will sound better to most ears, but can anyone who has compared them - in the flesh- venture an opinion? Say on a scale of one to ten, --where one is barely discernable difference, to ten, which would be a vast difference and mean that the Lowther is worth every penny of its substantial price.
Also, if there are other highly efficient full range drivers suitable for a horn enclosure please let me know.!
Efficiency is important since they will be driven from a 3 Watt 2A3 amp.

[Nelson Pass]

I have, and I can recommend the Lowthers without hesitation.

The Fostex is nice product, and certainly less expensive, but
it's pretty easy to let a properly done set of Lowthers grow on
you. My favorites are still the PM6A with the 16 ohm silver voice
coils and the Ticonal/Alnico magnets.

[TEXAS TOMM]

I have just stumbled onto details of the AUDIO NIRVANA range of efficient speakers. www.commonsenseaudio.com They don`t seem to think much of horn enclosures which I find interesting! Has anyone any comments regarding these drivers vs Lowther, which incidently, seem to be more expensive here in their country of manufacture, than in the US!

[marec]

I'm sitting here listening to a pair of MJK's small OB's (15A + 108ez). They give me enormous pleasure every time I listen to them at home. Behind them, in the corners of the room, is a pair of Delphics with EX3 + PM2. I haven't listened to these (which I bought new 15 years ago) since building the OBs.
The OBs are driven by a 2a3 SE in a relatively small room, and I listen at relatively low levels (<90db).

If you listen at higher levels and in a large room, and aren't bothered by the poor bass performance, you might like a Fidelio. Otherwise (IMHO), look elsewhere.

Rgds

[Bob Brines]

Originally posted by TEXAS TOMM
I have just stumbled onto details of the AUDIO NIRVANA range of efficient speakers. www.commonsenseaudio.com They don`t seem to think much of horn enclosures which I find interesting! Has anyone any comments regarding these drivers vs Lowther, which incidently, seem to be more expensive here in their country of manufacture, than in the US!

IMO Fostex drivers knock the socks off of comparable AN drivers. Likewise, Lowther drivers are better than comparable Fostex. Implementation is everything, though. There are some really bad Lowther speakers out there that give the drivers an undeservedly bad reputation.

Bob

[Bob Brines]

Originally posted by marec
If you listen at higher levels and in a large room, and aren't bothered by the poor bass performance, you might like a Fidelio. Otherwise (IMHO), look elsewhere.

Rgds

Most Lowther speakers are poorly conceived BLH/TL's that try to preserve the 95dB/w/m sensitivity of the bare driver as low as possible and wind up with shouty mids, lumpy mid-bass and F3 around 60Hz. Since I accept rather limited overall SPL, I get good, balanced response down to the high 30's in a simple MLTL. For higher overall SPL, there has been a lot of discussion lately about 2-way speakers that use the FR driver as a mid-tweet. I really believe that this is the right approach. Lowther drivers shine above 300Hz. Why try to use them at 30Hz where they suck? Now if I could only find the sub that fits my space.

Bob

[marec]

I've considered MLTLs for the lowthers, but having heard some Fostex based ones, I can't live with the resonant boxes after listening to OBs.

Also OBs are SIGNIFICANTLY easier to build (esp. if you are considering a Fidelio!)

The bass quality from an OB has a naturalness I've not encountered elsewhere.

I've built OBs around a Lowther and 2 * 15A, which sounded nice, but weren't domestically acceptable and used a behringer xo plus two stereo power amps.

Back to MJK's mini OBs.... (Total cost for a pair? less than DX4s, that's for sure! Maybe £240 + xovers)

Rgds

[DaveCan]

Are there plans anywhere for the Mini fe108 OB's? I went to the projects section but couldn't find it... Dave

[Puffin]

I have been using a pair of 206E's in the 208Sigma BLH (Fostex) cabinet for about 18 months. About 6 months ago I chanced upon a pair of PM6C's for a good price. Sadly they do not really suit the Fostex cabinet, but sounded very good.

I love the combo of the 206's and the 208 cabinet. The cabs are as solid as a rock and I do not detect any resonances whatsoever. They are built with Birch ply and the sides are 36mm. They weigh 10 stone each! These are fun with a capital F. If you love music and not hifi, these are for you.

[marec]

Originally posted by DaveCan
Are there plans anywhere for the Mini fe108 OB's? I went to the projects section but couldn't find it... Dave

Hi Dave

I haven't looked for several months (guess why!) but the baffle I've built is a straight take-off of Martin's smallest project from the "Open Baffle Theory" section of his website.

Do it! You'll be pleased!

Rgds

Edit:
See http://www.quarter-wave.com/OBs/OB_Design.pdf