Fostex the only choice for 94+ dB

[bigjppop]

I've been doing some digging online and other than the Fostex drivers (and the Lowthers which I can't afford) it seems pretty difficult to find a full range driver with a sensitivity higher than 94 dB. Am I missing something? I'm finding lots of stuff in the mid to high 80's (Mark Audio, CSS, Jordan, etc) but not much in the mid 90's.

I'm looking for something in the 6.5" world, but could stretch to 8" if that's the only way to find what I'm looking for. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

P.S. I've never heard a Fostex driver before so I'm not saying they're bad; just wondering if there are any other options.

[Scottmoose]

There's the Audio Nirvana range; slightly cheaper, quality isn't quite as good (despite the unsubtle advertising), but not bad. I'd stick with the Fostex myself.

[mikje]

I haven't heard any of these, but the word is that they are pretty good. Not meant to take anything away from the Fostex line; just an alternative.

Pi Speakers - unmatched quality and state-of-the-art performance

Mike

[ra7]

I'd second the AN range... despite the concerns, they are great value for money.

[Scottmoose]

The Betsy K would certainly be a good option. :^)

[Godzilla]

Subjectively my Betsy sounds equally efficient as the Fostex 165k which is rated at 94db. Both are clearly more efficient than the Pioneer B20 (which is rated at 94 but really is more like 90db). Betsy's are an easy load. My tube amp and Sonic Impact digital amp drive them easily.
Godzilla

[bigjppop]

Thanks for the suggestions so far; I'd never heard of a Betsy K or the Audio Nirvana line so that gives a couple other options. It "sounds" like people still prefer the Fostex drivers to those options.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by bigjppop

It "sounds" like people still prefer the Fostex drivers to those options.

It depends. Fostex is a stable well established brand with many drivers available from many distributors. As such there are a large number of tested designs to suit most needs.

Audio Nirvana & Wild Burro are essentially house brands. Paul is trying to get some resellers, but his product is new so hasn't gained a lot of momentum. Turns out the ones i have had a production problem, i need to try and band-aid that and then reevaluate.

That David Dicks of AN doesn't believe in using T/S parameters for box designs (and the questions of how accurate the ones he gives are) hasn't helped momentum of those drivers. I have been less than impressed with the lower end models i've heard, but i have heard from people i respect that some of the cast basket drivers -- in particular, the Super 8 (?) are really quite special. Published specs really point to a horn, adn so far you are on your own there.

dave

[mikje]

Originally Posted by planet10

It depends. Fostex is a stable well established brand with many drivers available from many distributors. As such there are a large number of tested designs to suit most needs.

Audio Nirvana & Wild Burro are essentially house brands. Paul is trying to get some resellers, but his product is new so hasn't gained a lot of momentum. Turns out the ones i have had a production problem, i need to try and band-aid that and then reevaluate.

That David Dicks of AN doesn't believe in using T/S parameters for box designs (and the questions of how accurate the ones he gives are) hasn't helped momentum of those drivers. I have been less than impressed with the lower end models i've heard, but i have heard from people i respect that some of the cast basket drivers -- in particular, the Super 8 (?) are really quite special. Published specs really point to a horn, adn so far you are on your own there.

dave

Dave,
Do you know anything about Pi Audio speakers?
Thanks,
Mike

[planet10]

Pi speakers are multiways using the big woofer, big horn approach. Not something i've done a lot with, and they have an XO. Sometimes the XO can be the fly in the ointment when it comes to effective high efficiency. If the system impedance is not flat, it is going to spell trouble with most of the amps that get people looking for high efficiency.

dave