Better than a Lowther?

[ChrisR1983]

Guys

I'm looking at the possibility of building the "ultimate" full range speaker. I've got some FE127E's that I quite like but these are fairly cheap.

I know that cost doesn't mean "better" but who else makes really good, well made full range drivers?

I've heard that Lowther's are the best money can buy (although I've never heard of any)

Anything better out there to try to audition?

Cheers

Chris

[Scottmoose]

It entirely depends on what you mean by 'good'; 'best' and 'better.' There is no one criteria, just a myriad of compromises from which to chose whatever most closely meets what it is you value, and what you want to do with it.

Lowther make some excellent units to be sure, and usually are very helpful in terms of supplying data for a given pair of units. You may also wish to consider Supravox, PHY, the range-topping Fostex units (FE208ESigma, F200a etc), AER and the Alpair 12 from Mark Audio. There are quite a few others of course, although they tend to be extremely expensive. Feastrex for e.g. have a cult following, although as they steadfastly refuse to supply any useful data on their drivers whatsoever, I generally ignore them, and other companies of this kind.

[LineArray]

Hi Chris,

nearly every fullranger of "some" quality on the market will have
its fans.

This is because fullrangers have tradeoffs and demand the listener
making a desicion of what to let go and what to get for it.

No one can make this decision for you. Maybe some in here are willing
to share their auditive impressions with certain drivers.

IMO using a FAST configuration, there is a greater veriety of fullrangers
available, which can do a very good job. You can also use a smaller
full-/wideranger then, which might help to achieve a midrange to presence
region having low coloration.

Kind Regards

[ChrisR1983]

Completely a 'how long is a piece of string' question. Appreciate the list of drivers to look up though.

Cheers

[LineArray]

That last FR driver i collected close experience with
is CSS FR125 S.

I would prefer it in a FAST concept using an active
crossover or a PLLXO with crossover frequency 80-140 Hz.

The driver is IMO well balanced and has good resolution
in the highs.

Depending on serial tolerances there can be a slight nasal
character. (Serial tolerances often make individual
fullrangers sound different - buy 10 select 2 of them ...).

In most listening environments there is too less energy
in the brillance region radiated into the room, especially
at higher angles, so an equalization in the brilliance
region will be desirable.

[hm]

Hello,
here a list of 8" driver,
i tested several driver in different horns
with measurements, look my HP
Visaton B200
TB W8-1772
Seas Exotic F8
Fostex FE 206 E
Audio Nirvana 8"
Sica LP 208.38 1100
Ciare HX 201
div. Lowther
Sonido 8"
Lyeco LY802F

[Zen Mod]

Sonido

Sonido akusztika

then choose english

for more information contact them directly

[trusound]

This is from my own subjective opinion..

And I haven't played or heard a Feastrex yet..

But I haven't heard a wideband give the purity and emotional attachment that the Lowther provides. But this has only been OB or even better dipole, keeping in mind that a woofer of sorts is augmented for bass in these applications..

[Godzilla]

>>> I've got some FE127E's that I quite like...

Those are good but there are better full range drivers imo. The 127e is a great compromise on sound, efficiency and flexibility. They work in lots of different boxes. You can really just plop them into a smallish ported box and get really good sound.

The Lowther's i heard were in Rethm back horns and they did not seem to do anything better than my Fostex 168s (without directly comparing them). But i remember going home and being happy with the Fostex later that day. The Lowther's sounded great tho!

There are so many really enjoyable full range drivers out there these days like the Fostex Sigma line, Lowther of course and I really like the new TB 8" driver too. I've not heard them all but many seem to like the new Alpair's and the little Jordan has many fans. A good full range driver with bass and treble support has been my preferred speaker for many years... but i am still sorting out which cabinet style works best for me, open baffle, back horn or ported.

Good listening!
Godzilla

[vitalstates]

Originally Posted by Zen Mod

Sonido

Sonido akusztika

then choose english

for more information contact them directly

Yo choky...

more promotion for sonido........but are they still in business.....I've sent 8 emails to 2 different addresses in the past 3 months, no replies at all....

I've tried sonido@interware.hu
and info@sonido.hu

have you got another address?

Ed