B200 competitors?

[lazyfly]

Hi,

I'm currently building a pair of Scottmoose's Brynn for FE127e. They're almost done (end of the week with luck!).

I'm looking forward to the Brynn's and squeezing more out of the FE127e (I prefer the FR125 in a 12L BR cabinet over the Fostex in same).

I need a project over the Christmas holidays. I'm looking to play about with the Visaton B200. But. Is there a 8" driver comparable in price that's quite simply better? Cabinet construction isn't an issue (cabinet maker). I guess the question is really what driver has the best cabinet combination for a similar price to the B200's.

The issue with the Visaton is that is appears to prefer OB, my room is too small and having the driver 3+ foot into the room means they're only about 6' from the listening position. Not practical nor ideal.

Thanks for any feedback

[Rudolf]

Originally posted by lazyfly
The issue with the Visaton is that is appears to prefer OB

How about the Visaton recommendations for a B200 CB? Look for the SOLOs.

[Scottmoose]

Hmm. Don't believe all you hear about baffles needing to be well away from walls. Two close mates have theirs quite near corners, never mind a rear wall. Lowther EX4s with twin 12in woofers per channel in one case, ER audio electrostatics (and the closest thing I've ever heard to, er, never hearing a speaker) in the other. And in the latter case, it's not a particularly large room.

If the idea of a baffle doesn't appeal though, there's nothing wrong with the 8in Fostex range. They're not 'better' (or worse, for that matter) than the Visaton, just different. If a monopole would suit your situation / preferences, then they would be easier to work with. YMMV.

[chrisb]

Originally posted by lazyfly
Hi,

I'm currently building a pair of Scottmoose's Brynn's for FE127e. They're almost done (end of the week with luck!).

I'm looking forward to the Brynn's and squeezing more out of the FE127e (I prefer the FR125 in a 12L BR cabinet over the Fostex in same).

I need a project over the Christmas holidays. I'm looking to play about with the Visaton B200. But. Is there a 8" driver comparable in price that's quite simply better? Cabinet construction isn't an issue (cabinet maker). I guess the question is really what driver has the best cabinet combination for a similar price to the B200's.

The issue with the Visaton is that is appears to prefer OB, my room is too small and having the driver 3+ foot into the room means they're only about 6' from the listening position. Not practical nor ideal.

Thanks for any feedback

My experience with the B200 is limited to a (oversized) OB, and aside from the visual aesthetics issues that some folks have to deal with, they certainly sound great (although definitely a bit shy up top off axis)

The Brynn will certainly outperform most conventionally tuned BR boxes for the FE127E, and as I imagine you're finding, is not a particularly difficult build (at least compared to the Fonken).

Aside from the sensitivity discrepancy between the two, the CSS FR125 will certainly kick b-a$$ in a small box, sealed or otherwise, while the FE127E's magic is in the midrange and imaging departments. Horses for courses,

[Andrewbee]

If you have a sub / subs you can use this.

Horst's Hornsat

[lazyfly]

Thanks for the replies fella's.

I'll go with the Visaton's and see how we go. I guess the flavour of the Fostex isn't really what I'm looking for. Then again I don't know what I'm looking for, ask Rabbitz... I prefer the mids of the FR125 (recessed as they are) over the mids of the ScanSpeak 18W 8531, much to his disgust

A couple of work in progress Brynn pics... Walnut veneered MDF baffles, same but chipboard side panels, with solid edging. Baffles are end to end. Bad shot.. end of the day and all that

Need to chamfer the inside of the driver cutout, clean up the sides then glue them to the baffles. The 25/65 degree 'mouth' exit bits are under some other bits :/

[rabbitz]

Originally posted by lazyfly
Then again I don't know what I'm looking for, ask Rabbitz... I prefer the mids of the FR125 (recessed as they are) over the mids of the ScanSpeak 18W 8531, much to his disgust

Yep... them's the right words.

[GM]

Originally posted by lazyfly

I prefer the mids of the FR125 (recessed as they are)......

Are they actually 'recessed' or just seems that way due to some peaking around/at 2 kHz like my pair? FWIW, ~2 dB cut at 2 kHz transformed mine in MLTLs, especially with female vocals.

GM

[Peter Menting]

I had Bi-Polar FR125's in an MLTL for years and always thought the mids sounded "dark'. When I went to OB (thanks for your work, Martin) using the new 125 configuration, magnet mounted, with the Alpha's ----c/o 250hz, they seemed brighter. Also thought they coupled well at the low end with the Alpha.

Just my 2cts.

Pete