AER vs Lowther

[mik190]

Hi

Does anybody knows about AER full-range speackers (aer english) vs Lowther?

Which Lowther models are equal to AER?

[Nelson Pass]

I spent time with a pair of DM3's. As I recall, they were
closest to the Lowther PM2A's, although the AERs used a
ceramic magnet.

[mik190]

And what about sound? Does it make sense to change Lowther to AER? By technical

[mik190]

Sorry, did not finish previous post:

And what about sound? Does it make sence to change Lowther to AER? By technical paramaters AER looks much better.

[InclinedPlane]

Yes send your Lowther cones in. The AER cone has a much flatter and less shouty response with all of the detail.

I used the AER MD2B for awhile. (Note: this was before or during the AER trademark lawsuit and my drivers arrived with AER packaging but were sold by fullrangespeakers.com) It offered a much flatter response than any Lowther driver and all of the detail. Its ability (and Lowther's ability) to resolve tiny things on recordings is impressive. The AER driver had an impressive neodymium magnet the size of a ferrite one! Also, it had a Q of .75 which I liked. I think it was a bit weak on the top end, but I wasn't using a phase plug. Ultimately I stopped using them because I couldn't play them loud without experiencing the same kind of grinding harshness that Lowther gave me.
Better than Lowther? Absolutely. Worth $2500USD? No way. I have given up on both brands. Lowthers are fast, resolving and pretty. But that's it. No bass, response curves that look like the Himalayas, a painfully shouty sound over most of its range, and quick to dissolve foam parts. AER are quite flat, quite pretty, have good xmax for bass and are super fast and resolving, but still cannot be played loud unless you like pain and again - nasty short-lived foam parts.
My Audio Nirvana drivers beat AER and Lowther easily in all areas except resolution; and for only $150. Don't waste gobs of money like I did unless you want to end up with a room full of expensive paperweights.

[mik190]

Originally Posted by InclinedPlane

My Audio Nirvana drivers beat AER and Lowther easily in all areas except resolution; and for only $150.

Do you have horn cabinets or usual ones?

[InclinedPlane]

No, they are in OB with 15" drivers. I should have mentioned that. Due to their low Q they wouldn't stand alone in OB. Heck, even if their Q (or any 8" FR driver's Q) was 1.0 it still wouldn't be enough bass for me in OB.

[ScottG]

Originally Posted by InclinedPlane

Better than Lowther? Absolutely. Worth $2500USD? No way.

Yeah, there is always the nagging question of VALUE.

[InclinedPlane]

It occurs to me that my info is a few years out of date. While AER has retained the foam, FR.com is using a rubberized foam and even one with a soft leather surround and an AlNiCo offering.

I also tend to be a bit hard on these two brands because I felt I got such problematic drivers for so much money, BUT many people are happy with Lowther and AER just the same. I think if you use warm-sounding tubes, wait for the lengthy 'break-in', don't play electric guitar or female voices loud then you can be happy.

Also check out the AN Alnico. I haven't heard it. And if you are rich, Feastrex can set you up. But I'll bet the $20k units wouldn't satisfy me any more than the Lowther units did.

[mik190]

Originally Posted by InclinedPlane

Also check out the AN Alnico. I haven't heard it. And if you are rich, Feastrex can set you up. But I'll bet the $20k units wouldn't satisfy me any more than the Lowther units did.

No, thanks, I have a lot of ideas how to use $20K better . But it is interesting, because I did not heard about them.