An intimate radio speaker -- some questions, and suggestions welcome

[loninappleton]

What is the design criteria and speaker in a Tivoli radio? I think I asked this once before but no one has taken a Tivoli or KLH radio apart I guess.

Anyway there are times when I want to sit in the quiet and just have a small but good point source for listening to news, interview programs and some streaming audio from theclassicalstation.org.

This is not a full room venture. No surround effects even as such that gamers set up with desktop speakers.

My starting point is a box I cobbled together about the size and shape (but not exact) of the FE127 recommended enclosure. My FE127e is EnABLed but it was a first job and some errors were made. Here there will be no trying to compare EnABL vs. Non-EnABL A/B comparisons. I'm going to pop it into the enclosure and see how it sounds with a small BR cabinet.

I made this cabinet to fit a hidey hole on a low shelf where I sit and read.

The same space could accommodate one Fonken Prime which might be the next build- to- spec I try to do.

[edjosh23]

If news and talk radio are important I don't think low frequency extension should be that important. I think what should be most important is reception. How do you plan on listening to internet radio? Are you always going to have a plug, or would you like to be able to venture into the back yard with the radio (and a beer) and not have to worry about plugging in?

Josh

[planet10]

What you will find inside a Tivoli is a cheap FR. A Pioneer A11 would be a hi-end relative.

dave

[loninappleton]

Originally Posted by planet10

What you will find inside a Tivoli is a cheap FR. A Pioneer A11 would be a hi-end relative.

dave

Hah! Ok, so it's the equivalent of one of my numerous NSBs.

@ejosh,

You are right, low extension is not significant. The whole idea is to get away from bigness. These days I only listen to audio streams rather than much over the air broadcast. If going outdoors to read I'm happy with just the quiet.

Back in the early days of me with the hobby, I had these same FE127e's in a small open back on stands.

--

Today the glue has set on this simple box (no port in it at this point either)
so I will be able to give a listen.

This Fostex has always been my favorite. With these discontinued and just to explore, I'll likely go to one of the Alpairs.

[ped]

Originally Posted by loninappleton

With these discontinued and just to explore, I'll likely go to one of the Alpairs.

You may want to check the Trading Post then *cough*cough*

[InclinedPlane]

Originally Posted by planet10

What you will find inside a Tivoli is a cheap FR. A Pioneer A11 would be a hi-end relative.

dave

Yup. But since 95% of the general populace are thrilled by mediocre sound I expect such products will continue to sell well. OTOH a well designed clone with good drivers should be fun and worthwhile.

[loninappleton]

I was unsatisfied with a sealed box for this, though the stuffing was sort of random. The back is removable and attached with screws and sealed with adhesive insulation strips. I took that off and will give it whirl tomorrow.

Next test I am going to go with the back off. Since this box sits in a shelf recess,
it might provide just enough but not too much air for a bit of low fi music.

WinAmp rpovides a Mono mode as I recall. But I'm a regular user of Foobar 2000 now since theclassicalstation.org provides Ogg format from Ibiblio.

I will look at the Trading Post for Alpair but not ready to buy yet.

[loninappleton]

Open back is running today just for voice interviews on streaming audio. I switched out the EnABL'ed FE127e for my remaining plain one. I think open baffle is often overlooked as a design choice for small FR's.

Please indicate a direct link to the trading post item if it's still on there.

:-)

[All I saw was something called swap meet. I do not venture around much at DIY audio.]

[graaf]

Originally Posted by loninappleton

Anyway there are times when I want to sit in the quiet and just have a small but good point source for listening to news, interview programs and some streaming audio from theclassicalstation.org.

try ceiling flooder with this FE127 - single, in mono

best,
graaf

[loninappleton]

Originally Posted by graaf

try ceiling flooder with this FE127 - single, in mono

best,
graaf

Oh, Jeebus, no. Suggestion appreciated but the whole idea is to get the
point source closer and at lower level. The fact that I'm in an apartment is only part of the reason to be closer to the sound source. I think it improves concentration-- you know-- Nipper listening with one ear to the Victrola.



I may retrieve my original modified boxes for the FE127e's. My first project in the DIY world under the advice of GM here was to use two mini speakers from a desktop rig from Nakamichi, take out what was in there and put in the Fostex and knock out the backs. It was easy to plug up the smaller tweeter hole with a cork. These were little two-ways in thin commercial boxes with a molded baffle. It was coincidence that the Fostex fit just right.