Solo-166 plans

[ziocalepino]

Hi everybody. Tony Gee sent me the plans for Solo-166 encolsures, for Fostex FE166En drivers. They are similar to SOlo-103 that you can see here:

Humble Homemade Hifi

Did anybody tried them for 166?

Thanks all

Ziocalepino

[planet10]

Unlike FE103, FE166 is not well suited to a BR.

dave

[ziocalepino]

Thanks. Althought there is not a "Solo-126" project do you think these drivers are more suitable for this kind of plan? I'va a couple of them but used monunted both in Fostex pure BR and in the Fostex' original mixed enclosure BR/BLH they do not satisfy me. So with a different configuration...

[planet10]

All of the FExx6 series drivers really need to be horn loaded to get any bass out of them.

FE127 works well in a Solo 127. It is called a Fonken. Be easy enuff to mutate the design to get something that looks like a Solo103 (but bigger). Same with the FE167.

dave

[ziocalepino]

I've seen Fonken's plans, they are very interesting. Do you think they could be better than Fostex' one? As said this enclosure does not satisfy me at all, even being a kind of BLH.
Thanks
Z.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by ziocalepino

I've seen Fonken's plans, they are very interesting. Do you think they could be better than Fostex' one? As said this enclosure does not satisfy me at all, even being a kind of BLH.
Thanks
Z.

FWIW, of the Fostex "recommended" enclosures that I've built or heard for a wide range of their 3-6" drivers, I've yet to hear one that wasn't surpassed by certain DIY/open source designs.

Note that the Fonken family evolved around the T/S parameters of the (now late/lamented) Fostex FE127E and FE167E drivers. With some minor tuning to port/slot dimensions and/or internal volume, this particular "platform/architecture" has proven to be adaptable to other makes of drivers as well. (most notably those by Mark Fenlon).

Before getting too involved in dispensing any type of "helpful advice", I always like to pose a few questions regarding the application:
-do you have the drivers on hand or on their way?
-room size/listening position?
-amplifier type/power level?
-listening habits/tastes (types of music/volume levels) ?
-"domestic acceptance factor" - i.e. "partner" or parents involved in what you can get away with? from almost 40yrs of experience, this can be as significant as room limitations

[planet10]

Originally Posted by ziocalepino

you think they could be better than Fostex' one? As said this enclosure does not satisfy me at all, even being a kind of BLH.

The Fostex Hybrid (really a BR/TL) is not very good. Bass does not go low and is ill defined. A Fonken is way better but is not suitable for the FE126.

Your best bet for simple is the Frugel-Horn Mk3

dave