No-Holds-Barred Lowther design?

[Ronmeister]

A few years ago I introduced a Danish friend to the beauty of single full range drivers. He contacted me a few days ago, after hearing what I believe must have been the Beauhorn Virtuoso, and asked me to construct a top of the range Lowther design for him. He's quite a peculiair fellow, an investment banker of seemingly unlimited means, who sets his mind on things then subsequently sticks to it; forever! I say this to pre-empt the obligatory "why don't you try a subwoofer" and "how about a 4-way, Open Baffle etc. design” replies. I've had these - and more (Feastrex, AER?) - discussions with him; he wants a top of the line -single driver - no subwoofer - no OB - money no object - Lowther design.

I suppose this means he would like a design utilizing the Alnico range, DX4 or EX4. The size of the design is not relevant. The room in which he will set them up is the size of a two car garage. Despite the size, the room is acoustically fairly dead, with many soft furnishings. The speakers will be driven by a KT88 SE I built for him quite a while ago. His current set-up includes this amp and a pair of Klipsch loudspeakers. He has no real corners to "corner-load". He can easily move the speakers away from the wall if necessary.

As for myself, I have no objections against filters, if used to even out the frequency response, baffle compensation, notch etc. I realize that every design will have its compromises. What I believe is important with Lowthers is that if a filter is involved it's calibrated towards a driver that has 200 - 300 hrs of playtime. Because he wants no additional LF assistance the design will need to generate bass sufficient for Jazz, Folk, Country, as well as world fusion Buddha Bar like music.

What I need to be successful is to have a tried and tested design, filter and all if applicable, preferably a good set of plans so I can have a carpenter do the initial cutting of the panels to save time. For any necessary or suggested tweaks I'd involve the diyAudio community.

I'd probably order the units from Lowther-America in May or so and build the speakers in August. I need advance time for the carpenter (he's great, excellent, but always busy and always a "man down" it would seem). If there is interest in the "community" I wouldn't mind sharing photos of the build and/or trying different techniques, set-ups etc. together.

Finally... my suggestion would have been to "buy a Beauhorn" but then, why should they have all the fun...

Ron

[BHD]

No holds barred, eh? Show him the Kleinhorn:

http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/KleinHorn.pdf

http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/KleinHorn2.pdf

My bet is he'll find his boundaries pretty fast.

[hifimaker]

Checkout Nelson's work. His website has lots of Lowther evaluations and build ideas.

Here's one example of his work from RMAF 07: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...75#post1323075

This set-up was reported to be one of the show highlights.

-David

[Nelson Pass]

Since a driver needs to be chosen first, Jon ver Halen is likely
to suggest the PM5A's with the Ticonal and Permendur and overhung
copper voice coils.

I am still waiting to get them (salivate....)

Lacking that, my favorite has been the PM6A with Ticonal and the
silver 16 ohm overhung voice coils, the flattest 8" they make, I believe.

[Ronmeister]

Originally posted by BHD
No holds barred, eh? Show him the Kleinhorn:

http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/KleinHorn.pdf

http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/KleinHorn2.pdf

My bet is he'll find his boundaries pretty fast.

Knowing him, he'd love 'em.

My problem is, how would I build them, then transport them to Denmark... I suppose I could place them on a small chassis, build in a hybrid engine (go green...) and drive them there. I could convert the second one in to a trailer and double it up as dog-house, which is where he'd inevitably spend an undefined amount of time after showing his new aquisition to his wife...

Next...

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
Since a driver needs to be chosen first, Jon ver Halen is likely
to suggest the PM5A's with the Ticonal and Permendur and overhung
copper voice coils.

I am still waiting to get them (salivate....)

Lacking that, my favorite has been the PM6A with Ticonal and the
silver 16 ohm overhung voice coils, the flattest 8" they make, I believe.

Nelson,

What type of enclosure would you suggest for the PM6A and the PM5A (keeping in mind his wishes)?

Thanks,
Ron

[hm]

Hello,
i prefer the PM2A with indirect invers the PM6C
the SAXOPHON
100dB, 1 W, 1mm stroke


or for the PM4A for the HORN-sat,
but need a Sub below 110 Hz.

[BobM]

One of the best Lowther based designs I've ever heard (and no, I haven't heard them all, but I have heard a few) is the Rethm design. Here's a link to a review ...

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...0301/rethm.htm

Enjoy,
Bob

[serenechaos]

I've always liked the ISIS TP-1 Lowther design, the later one;
http://www.lowtherloudspeakers.com/drawings/tp1isis.pdf
http://www.pirkensee.de/Downloads/TP%201.pdf

Claimed Frequency Range of 30Hz-22,000 Hz always got my attention, as well as the 14' 10" long sound path; looked like a horn/TL combination. I also like the way they seem to be able to load both sides of the driver, (as did Beauhorn, etc later).

I was gonna build one for fostex 166es-r a few years ago, then Ron C came out with Austin, which gets a 6” FE166 down to 40 Hz, then a gradual roll off, built those instead...
Still wonder "what if...," but from what I've heard, FLHs sound better to my ears anyway...

[hifimaker]

Are Ticonal and Alnico the same thing? I thought Ticonal was a trade name for Alnico. It would be great if someone could help verify this.

Interesting reading about the differences between alnico and ferrite, and the rapid industry conversion from alnico to ferrite in the late 70's due to the embargo of commercial cobalt used in Alnico from Zaire.

-David

[REC1]

I have always been a fan of FLHs. The major problem is SAF due to the necessary size.
I have only heard Lowthers once and in i believe it was in the Acousta, really weak LF but a great deal of detail and amazing speed. Still had a bit of a tizz to the sound.

ron