alpair/jordan fullrange vs pluto linkwitz

[fxs]

Hi all. I'm looking to build nice loudspeakers . I was thinking of building the "Pluto" from Linkwitz (not very expensive, and supposedly one of the best loudspeakers out there).

But looking over there, there's a lot of nice reviews about quality fullrange drivers like alpair10, jordans, etc., especially about the good sound dispersion off-axis and how this make the soundstage quite real (one of the best features of the linkwitz loudspeakers)

My question is: has someone listened fullranges like the alpair10, jx92s jordans, and compared to the Pluto(or even a nice open baffle system)? Because the cost of building a pencil series for the alpair is cheaper than the pluto, and if the alpair it's not so different to pluto, then ...

[Scottmoose]

Well, there's two separate points there -inherent dispersion characteristics in drivers, & the polar response of different types of cabinet.

1st one 1st. The Alpairs have excellent dispersion compared to most wideband drive units. They won't match a 1in tweeter, but they're very good for what they are.

Re cabinets, Pluto is a (semi) omnidirectional design; something like a Pencil is a monopole. The former will by definition have a wider (albeit more diffuse) dispersion character with a higher ratio of reflected to direct radiation. This is frequency independent / constant directional however, at least through the region they are functioning in this way.

[fxs]

yeah, i know they aren't the same thing, but if a pencil alpair is comparable in sound quality to the Pluto, its a nice alternative

[planet10]

I've not heard pluto, but i have played with drivres in the same family. The separate mid-woofer might give it an advantage in ultimate bass, but Alpair 7 or 10 should flatten it everywhere else. Even CHR70 or EL70 would give Pluto a run (regardless of the money)

Mark is really setting new standards of performance with his drivers.

dave

[fxs]

Originally Posted by planet10

I've not heard pluto, but i have played with drivres in the same family. The separate mid-woofer might give it an advantage in ultimate bass, but Alpair 7 or 10 should flatten it everywhere else. Even CHR70 or EL70 would give Pluto a run (regardless of the money)

Mark is really setting new standards of performance with his drivers.

dave

nice to know this, if true. because linkwitz insists fullranges drivers introduce to many wrong "cues" to make them a real alternative for building quality loudspeakers.

as alpairs are a different design than other fullranges, maybe they are an exception and comparable to the best dynamic speakers

[Scottmoose]

Originally Posted by fxs

yeah, i know they aren't the same thing, but if a pensil alpair is comparable in sound quality to the Pluto, its a nice alternative

They should be in qualitative terms but remember that as they are very different types of design, this will be reflected in their sound. I did not design the Pensils to be an omni-directional speaker.

[fxs]

Originally Posted by Scottmoose

They should be in qualitative terms but remember that as they are very different types of design, this will be reflected in their sound. I did not design the Pensils to be an omni-directional speaker.

you designed the pensils, scottmoose? it wasn't planet10?

[planet10]

Pensils are Scott's -- i only did the drawings... all the relevant information is in the title block.

dave

[fxs]

Originally Posted by Scottmoose

Well, there's two separate points there -inherent dispersion characteristics in drivers, & the polar response of different types of cabinet.

1st one 1st. The Alpairs have excellent dispersion compared to most wideband drive units. They won't match a 1in tweeter, but they're very good for what they are.

Re cabinets, Pluto is a (semi) omnidirectional design; something like a Pencil is a monopole. The former will by definition have a wider (albeit more diffuse) dispersion character with a higher ratio of reflected to direct radiation. This is frequency independent / constant directional however, at least through the region they are functioning in this way.

a monopole isn't a omnidirectional design? how should be the pattern of the pensil then? and should be frequency independent?

[TerryO]

Originally Posted by fxs

a monopole isn't a omnidirectional design? how should be the pattern of the pensil then? and should be frequency independent?

An omnidirection speaker sends the soundwaves in every direction (360 degrees) equally. A monopole in a front fireing configuration and is concerned (more or less) with on-axis response.

BTW: Scottmoose was the designer of the pensil. If you keep track of his doings, you'll soon find that he has a "history!"

Best Regards,
TerryO