CSS EL70 vs Mark Audio CHP-70

[bigaudioscotto]

How close are these 2 drivers as far as sound,
the specs look very similar.

[zman01]

I have the EL70 and the CHP-70 first gen. The CHPs are still undergoing break in, but tonal balance seems pretty similar. EL70 should be able to produce more bass though.

CHP-70 current gen has roll off after 7 k and according to Mark has a warmer and more "vintage" sound.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by bigaudioscotto

How close are these 2 drivers as far as sound,
the specs look very similar.

good question - a lot of us have probably speculates based on the published measurements , but a direct head to head comparison in as close to identical cabinets as the T/S parameters would allow would be my preference

I might know a guy....

[bigaudioscotto]

I had the EL70 for a while on Open baffle
running with a pair of Alpha 15a and they
performed very nice,I was just curious how the
CHP-70 would do on open baffle.
any thoughts.

[planet10]

Chris called me this AM... he'll be doing a milliSize build for the CHP70.3 (3rd gen tech, 2nd iteration, 1st one was a gen 2 tech driver like the EL70 = EL70.2). We already have a milliSize with stock driver sfor EL70.

Until we hear them side-by-side in similar enclosurs i can only speculate... so here is some speculation

1/ CHP70.2 will be closer to EL70.2 than CHP70.3
2/ Design brief for EL70 specified extended bass, in the modeler it has 10Hz advantage over CHP70.3 (using my alignment) EL70 uses a bigger box than CHP70.3 -- a 45% larger box (13 vrs 9 litre)*
3/ as Zia has mentioned, the CHP70.3 has been purposly shelved down in the top 2 octaves, so EL70 -- as long as it is not perceived as too hot) should have the edge on the top.
4/ benefitting from development of an entire range upgraded to gen 2 tech, and being gen 3 tech CHP should have some more finesse.

dave

*(the small size of the milli boxes will hide the differences in the bass in our upcoming head-to-head and may even give the CHP an advanatge, the EL70 sounds good in this box, but you can't help but feeling they are being held back -- maybe some of those from the last diyFEST who heard the little ones swapped out for the big ones can comment)

[KyleinCowichan]

The EL70 was very impressive to me in both of Planet10's -ken enclosures but the larger prime definitely has the edge for that concert hall type impression. Even in the open air of the backyard it blew me away. I subsequently took advantage of CSS's show deal and bough a set. The size of the milli enclosure is very attractive to me for it's WAF. I may get started on these in the next few weeks. I hope to do a build thread this time around.

KM

[Cal Weldon]

Me too Buddy. Can't wait till the cabinets are finished. I was more than impressed with the mini Onken cabinets for the EL70's (plus the full planet10 treatment) but when I asked Chris he said if it were him he would do the Frugel Horn Mk lll, so that's what it will be.

[KyleinCowichan]

That's awesome Cal. Until my kid is older and floor standing speakers are safe from him I think I'm stuck with smaller speakers. Has anyone coined CSF: Child Safety Factor?? ;-)

[planet10]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

Can't wait till the cabinets are finished.

Today's word is that we could be talking just a few more sleeps.

dave

[Cal Weldon]

Good news Dave, thanks.