Audio Nirvana drivers

[MagnumOpus]

Just wondering about what kind of music you play on these, and what other components used in your systems?

I am sniffing around for some pro's and con's. I am very much interested in AN drivers, but it seems like most of the people praising them are only listening to jazz and other sorts of accoustic music. I have a broad taste and listen to everything from Dire Straits and Katie Melua to Massive Attack and Norwegian metal...I understand fullrangers don't do well with "noisy" music. But if they excell tremendously in other compartments I can consider them...

any thoughts to share?

[Commited]

I was wondering the same as I enquired recently about postage costs for Fostex from them and got a long email singing the praises of the AN drivers which I took with a pinch of salt.

From everything I've been researching, the Fostex drivers are better than the AN drivers for most applications!

[aptquark]

Let me tell you....I have the super 8's in the 2.8 Ambiance cab (but with the extra speaker in the rear not on top)...I have listened to Primus, wang chung, twisted sister, many classical pieces, weather report, shade, peter murphy, morphine, filter, chilli peppers, and too many various more to mention. Both on LP and CD with my 25 watt tube VTL mono's. The only time I didnt like what I heard was when the recordings were produced crappy. Other than that, I had no need for a sub either. They sound great. David Dicks (owner) has mentioned to me that his 15 inch full rangers sound even better than the 8's. Quite more expensive though.

[aptquark]

From everything I've been researching, the Fostex drivers are better than the AN drivers for most applications!

I wouldnt go that far in saying that. There is alot of info regarding Fostex simply because they have been around much longer.

[MagnumOpus]

Thank you for that, was all I needed to hear. Maybe I'll go for the Ambience if I can afford it. Allways been bi-curious

[Commited]

Aptquark, I'm basing everything from what I've read from people who've directly compared the two drivers. At the end of the day, everything is subjective but from all of my research it was enough for me to discount them. Glad you're happy with them though, I'm sure they're far better than a lot of stuff out there.

[aptquark]

Originally Posted by MagnumOpus

Thank you for that, was all I needed to hear. Maybe I'll go for the Ambience if I can afford it. Allways been bi-curious

If you went for the 2.8 Amb., all you need is 2 cast frame 8's, and 2 steel frame 8's. The 2nd pair help to reinforce the bass frequencies. If you go for that setup, let me know and ill show you how I did mine. I Find the rear placed drivers much better than on top.

[hm]

Hello,
i heard both Fostex and AN in my SAXOPHON:
saxophon
i prefer a little bit the AN

[evsentry3]

Originally Posted by MagnumOpus

I am sniffing around for some pro's and con's. I am very much interested in AN drivers, but it seems like most of the people praising them are only listening to jazz and other sorts of accoustic music.
...I understand fullrangers don't do well with "noisy" music. But if they excell tremendously in other compartments I can consider them...

any thoughts to share?

IMO, a lot depends on how loud you tend to listen. If you run full range, as you go up in level then more and more intermod products will come into play. Reduce the level and it'll clear up. This is a general fullrange comment from my experience and not specifically pointed towards the AN drivers, though I do have and enjoy a pair of AN 12's.

An option if the music you like and the level you like start to push you into this less clean and clear reproduction area, then you can always opt to filter off the lowest frequencies and send them to a seperate LF driver. That will tend to allow louder levels with less cone motion and less intermod problems.

Good luck!

[MagnumOpus]

Thanks.

I never listen at extreme levels, and my Dali 2002's play more than loud enough with a Fatman Carbon. I am looking for quality of sound not quantity

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have a few options to consider