fullrange vs 2way desktop build

[JOHNNYFAMOUS]

gentelmen,, i have been looking around for months on this site and others, i am trying to decide on a full range desktop set (like the alpair 6 for size) or if i should build a small two way. Having never heard a good fullrange i am have no comparisons or thoughts other than what i read...I have above average/proffesional woodworking skills. I do not enjoy designing crossovers or figuring out box volumes so much as the cabinet work and sound enjoyment. I have built a few sets of two ways,mtms, subwoofers, etc.. I have specific goals in looks and sound so i thought you all might be able to tell me honestly if i should consider fullrange or build a small two way..

my goals are;
near field listening, I mac with eqalizing capabilities..

cabinet width of about 4-6" max

cabinet height of about 16-18"

cabinet depth of about 4-7max

slot port on the face of the cabinet,, i like the look and always wanted to try one.

powered by a small t amp 20 watts or so

i appreciate high end crispness always using metal/aluminum dome tweeters in my past speaker builds,,,silk tweeters do not have the same crispness that i like

good low base extension, I dont mind eqalizing..

music selections are rock, pop, light dance..


I am cosidering using these two ways designs but perhaps altering them slightly to fit the above demensions,

Piccolata Mini Monitor


Or perhaps waiting for the release of the new alpair 6..


your thoughts??

[Cal Weldon]

Try an FR on it's own and add the tweeter later if required. You can do it as simply as a 1mfd cap for the XO. Works for a lot of people.

[rjbond3rd]

Speaking strictly as a newb, if you (a) don't like crossover design, (b) like metal drivers (c) enjoy rock/pop/dance and (d) don't need really high efficiency, any of these drivers are fine choices: Alpair 7, Alpair 10, CHR-70 and Jordan JX92S. I too enjoy the beautiful "shimmer" I've heard from metal cones.

Box geometry definitely affects your final response (along with boundaries, diffraction etc.) The normal design process would be to start with some rough dims and spend time iterating to get something really optimal for your situation.

But since you are not looking to get into that stuff (I can't blame you), if it were me locked into that geometry / dims, personally I'd try sealed, maybe aperiodic, keep the volume reasonable. Ported has more factors and you have to avoid driving them below the box's tuning frequency lest the driver exceed its mechanical limits.

So I would say, personally, that I wouldn't hesitate to stick those drivers into a sealed, maybe periodic, but if you're not going to use a box calculator, you'll be optimizing your build either through trial and error, or not at all. Eventually, software becomes a great time-saver but it's also good to learn stuff hands-on.

[picowallspeaker]

I never heard Mark Audio speakers ,but they have good reputation.
The Piccolata (maybe the author mean "Piccoletto",which is "small size )
looks good either ...even if with bigger woofers for me the tweeter has more
sense . I wouldn't mind changing the position of the port(s)from rear to front panel (maybe on the bottom)since it gathers all the dusty bass information which may interfere with the clean emission of the driver .
BTW I love Imac sound as itself .

[vinylkid58]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYFAMOUS

Or perhaps waiting for the release of the new alpair 6..

Why wait? The original Alpair 6's are pretty good.

jeff

[JOHNNYFAMOUS]

what are the sound quality differeces between the two?

sealed vs full?

where will i notice the difference?

[vinylkid58]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYFAMOUS

what are the sound quality differeces between the two?

Don't know, haven't heard the Mk II's.

Originally Posted by JOHNNYFAMOUS

sealed vs full?

http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeaker...map-231009.pdf

jeff

[Scottmoose]

I have. I had one of the first pairs of paper cone pre-production prototypes through here a few months back; they're now with Dave. Even without the Matsubara-san VC & spider which the production drivers will have, the new model is a big step forward from the original (which remains a v. good unit for its type).

[planet10]

I figure the best of the 1st gen metal cone drivers, i fully expect, based on hearing the same set of paper protos Scott had, and the production protos of the A10.2 vrs the old A10, that the new A6 will be better.

dave

[JOHNNYFAMOUS]

dave, how does the alpair 6 compair to the FR125? I have always appreciated the looks of the fr125, but figured i might be best to use newest technology....

kinda wish i could hear several speakers before i decide..


i see that CSS is now offering the fr125 with a tweeter,,,can i assume on its own it lacks upper detail?