Beginner's project

[effebi]

I am a total beginner in audio, (but not at all in electronics and construction) and also not really gifted with my ears
So I want to build from scratch some decent boxes, in the 100 W RMS range for my SS ampli. For my electronics experience, I don't trust much on linearity of systems with passive filters, so I would like to do with a Full-Range. I have some friends that insist that drivers with less than 10" can't really reproduce bass, so I am thinking to start with something from 8" up. Maybe I will add a separate piezo tweeter after (bi amp or so). I am tempted to use some of such drivers from Fostex or Ciare. Even I am so crazy that I am examining the possibility to use such dual cones intended for car audio. Even the good brands looks cheaper than home hi-fi ones and they are indeed robust and well built.
Any guideline would help me a lot.
Thanks,
effebi

[mymindinside]

Hi Effebi
Look around on the forum you will see numerous designs being discussed.
People are saying good things about Markaudio's fullrange drivers, fostex is the other popular brand. A large number of designs are available designs using drivers from these two manufacturers. the links below are a good start
frugal-horn.com
The planet10 site
T line speakers
and Martin J King's website

hope this helps,
cheers,
mymindinside

[planet10]

Originally Posted by effebi

I have some friends that insist that drivers with less than 10" can't really reproduce bass, so I am thinking to start with something from 8" up.

They obviously haven't heard 1 or 2 EL70 in an appropriate box.... Any FR is a candidate for a sub, or a pair of active woofers regaredless of size, i'd rather add help at the bottom than at the top

I still feel that the FR sweet spot is 4-5", lsrger drivers give up mid, top to get bottom. With that in mind the Alpair 10.2 is going to be a killer.

dave

[effebi]

First, thanks everybody for the nice hospitality, I am new here, and i even did not introduce myself properly . Regardless I got immediately two nice and competent answers...
Then, I had a fast look on those projects,

Originally Posted by mymindinside

Hi Effebi
Look around on the forum you will see numerous designs being discussed.
People are saying good things about Markaudio's fullrange drivers, fostex is the other popular brand. A large number of designs are available designs using drivers from these two manufacturers. the links below are a good start

They look indeed nice, but they really are too advanced for me. I.e. that "Frugal Horn" does not look frugal at all to me. Maybe it should be named "Magnific Horn".
I am lookin to something really for dumb beginners.

1 or 2 EL70

Do you mean twin drivers in-phase in a box? Then this makes sense, to me... The rest I did not understand quite well . What is FR??? And do you mean that Alpair 10.2 Project has the good bass that I am looking for without a big cone area? That would be fantastic.
On a side note, i am listening mostly classic rock. The bass test that comes to my mind now is the helicopter in "The Wall"...
Please be patient,thanks
effebi

[chris661]

Which track number/CD is the helicopter bit on?

I've got the album here, and I'm running a pair of 8" drivers. I'll let you know if they're sufficient

[picowallspeaker]

It is just a minute before 'when we grew up and went to school ,there were certain teachers who ,would hurt the children anytime...they could !!!!'

[planet10]

Originally Posted by effebi

They look indeed nice, but they really are too advanced for me. I.e. that "Frugal Horn" does not look frugal at all to me. Maybe it should be named "Magnific Horn".
I am lookin to something really for dumb beginners.

FH Mk3 is a lot easier than the original. Still, probably not for a 1st project without some woodworking experience.

Do you mean twin drivers in-phase in a box?.... What is FR??? ... Alpair 10.2

Yes, FR=Full Range, Alpair 10.2 looks like it is going to have a really good balance of modrange magic and extension in both directions... still not the shear bass grunt of 2 pair of EL70s.


dave

[effebi]

The track , going from memory, is " another brick in the wall" Pink Floyd, of course ,and then (GRAZIE TONY) it should be exacly there :

Originally Posted by picowallspeaker

It is just a minute before 'when we grew up and went to school ,there were certain teachers who ,would hurt the children anytime...they could !!!!'

If your speakers do well, you will turn the head around looking for the (WOPPA-WOPPA-WOPPA) actual chopper... This really happened to me the first time I heard it, living beside a training field of Agusta-Bell
On topic, if memory works well, boxes where at that time (1982 or 83) Avid with 10" woofers or more, ampli quite sure a NAD, getting in from a Metal tape (Denon? Nakamichi?) .
About project:
Very good infos, Mod! So is there any DiY proget around with

the shear bass grunt of 2 pair of EL70s

?
And, BTW, any place in EU to get those fantastic EL70 for a decent price?
Thanks
effebi

[chris661]

Found the helicopter bit. While impressive given the driver size, I ran out of headroom before levels hit "realistic". This was with a FE126eN per side, driven by a 15w/ch class D amplifier. Also featuring a pair of 8" woofers in a sealed cabinet, driven with their own amplifier.

[Cal Weldon]

I think he said

Originally Posted by effebi

in the 100 W RMS range