Which Mark audio Alpair ?

[Ewald]

Hi Guys,

Im (also) looking into a micro monitor speaker. The alpairs look very interesting, but there are many available (also the discontinued ones are easy to get).

I am thinking of a 1-3 liter volume, preferably no filter, I like detail and natural sound in jazz and vocals. It doesnt have to be loud and bass is not that important. I have a Tube pre-amp and plan to use a class D power amplifier.

In my research I came across:
alpair 5 - but needs filtering for high end ?
Alpair 6 - "only" goes to 24KHz
Alpair 6P - paper cone sounds better ?
Alpair 7 - 30KHz but needs filtering to even out the frequecy respons ?
Alpair 10 - very nice (flat) frequency response, can handle more volume but could be missing the high ?

So which want would suit best ?

Or since I do like the ribbon sound, does it mean I should skip the wide band and look into a two way design with the scanspeak 10F/4424G with a ribbon ?

Thanks

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by Ewald

Hi Guys,

Im (also) looking into a micro monitor speaker. The alpairs look very interesting, but there are many available (also the discontinued ones are easy to get).

I am thinking of a 1-3 liter volume, preferably no filter, I like detail and natural sound in jazz and vocals. It doesnt have to be loud and bass is not that important. I have a Tube pre-amp and plan to use a class D power amplifier.

In my research I came across:
alpair 5 - but needs filtering for high end ?
Alpair 6 - "only" goes to 24KHz
Alpair 6P - paper cone sounds better ?
Alpair 7 - 30KHz but needs filtering to even out the frequecy respons ?
Alpair 10 - very nice (flat) frequency response, can handle more volume but could be missing the high ?

So which want would suit best ?

Or since I do like the ribbon sound, does it mean I should skip the wide band and look into a two way design with the scanspeak 10F/4424G with a ribbon ?

Thanks

Well I think the last option (2-way) would make for something larger than 1-3liter micro-monitor.

Based on the Mark Audio drivers I've heard, I'd suggest the Alpair6 paper. The larger models in the line certainly sound excellent, but even if they model well in the volumes in mind, it can be rather tricky to actually fit them in the tiny boxes.

While designed for the metal cone version ( Dave could advise required revisions for the "P") this little box could be a decent starting point.

even in a box this small, the bracing should be considered important


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

I'm curious why two of your notes specifically reference the upper extension of the drivers (particularly the "only to 24kHz"), just exactly how much do you expect to benefit from performance that high?

[planet10]

The mMar-Ken6, with slight modification, works with the A6p. It is nominally 4.5 litre.

For an enclosure as small as you are targeting A6P or A6M would be my suggestion. A6M will fit in a smaller box. I have a 2.5 litre design that works with either driver, and a 1.5 litre for the A6M. If little or no bass is OK, 1-2 litre sealed would work with A6M

dave

[Godzilla]

>>> ...should skip the wide band and look into a two way design...

Yucky.

>>> I like detail and natural sound in jazz and vocals.

Full range drivers do this really well. Doesn't mean a two way can't but just thinking of how much work a crossover can be to get the sound right with a scan speak driver just puts me off. I would be forever tweaking!

>>> So which want would suit best ?

I haven't yet but see no reason not to grab one of those MA drivers and enjoy your music already. They have an excellent reputation.

[chrisb]

I forgot to mention in my earlier reply that "mini monitor" always suggests to me either near field / desk-top, or 100sq ft bedroom type of system. This is an area in which I've always found small FR drivers/enclosures to perform particularly well.

for example, these silly good little ( 2 liter) speakers sound way bigger than they have any right to, but the drivers (Fostex FF85K) have been discontinued, and to be honest some might prefer filtering on them

[Johnny2Bad]

Originally Posted by chrisb

Well I think the last option (2-way) would make for something larger than 1-3liter micro-monitor. ...
[snip]
...
I'm curious why two of your notes specifically reference the upper extension of the drivers (particularly the "only to 24kHz"), just exactly how much do you expect to benefit from performance that high?

I think he was making a little joke with the "only goes to" comment on a full range speaker. On the other hand, he did mention ribbons ... ;-)

[Ewald]

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies,

I know that the ear can hear up to 24 KHz, however I have noticed while listening to speakers with designs that go 30KHz and above sound quite different.

Not sure if its the design (ribbon) or the extended frequency range that make them sound different.

With only going to 23KHz means in comparison to the 30KHz of the Alpair 7

Why go for the 6 and not the 7 by the way ?

[Rullknufs]

I did some tests today and with a 20KHz signal (no matter how loud i turned it up) it didn't hear anything at all. At 18.5KHz i started hearing a very weak bright beep. And i'm 16 and have been careful with my ears on concerts and such...

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by Ewald

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies,

I know that the ear can hear up to 24 KHz, however I have noticed while listening to speakers with designs that go 30KHz and above sound quite different.

Not sure if its the design (ribbon) or the extended frequency range that make them sound different.

With only going to 23KHz means in comparison to the 30KHz of the Alpair 7

Why go for the 6 and not the 7 by the way ?

the questions of hearing physiology / psycho-acoustics /"perception" aside, to answer the last question - driver dimensions and your original query re micro/mini size enclosures would be the primary reason for considering the 6 over the 7.

I'm listening to a pair of 12's at the moment, but for my money the paper cone EL70 (or presumably it's fraternal twin CHP70 which I've not heard) and the Alpair 7 are my favorite MA drivers yet. The 7s are wonderful in Scott's Pensil, or the P-10 Mar-Ken, but I think you'd be hard pressed to fit them and venting as required in a 3 liter box ( at the upper end of your described range) and still realize it's full LF potential.

[planet10]

About 5 litre sealed is as small as you want to go with Alpair7.

dave