Driver and enclosure recommendations for small room.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by Bigun

CHR-70 is nominal 8R and looks to have a more extended freq. response (see attached, EL70 on left - courtesy of Mark Audio)

At the top, on the bottom EL70 does better. Both plots are from Mark... in the 1st i traced the curve so that it could be placed on the prettier FuzzMeasure graticle (and end up with a vector drawing)

dave

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by Bigun

I have a pair of EL70's and they are really nice, but I am always conscious of the lower impedance - 4R nominal - which allows more power for the same amplifier power rail voltage compared with 8R nominal, but requires higher Class A bias current and hence more heat.

CHR-70 is nominal 8R and looks to have a more extended freq. response (see attached, EL70 on left - courtesy of Mark Audio)

If you like the FH3, you can, if I remember, get a ready-cut kit of wood from Planet10.

Originally Posted by planet10

At the top, on the bottom EL70 does better. Both plots are from Mark... in the 1st i traced the curve so that it could be placed on the prettier FuzzMeasure graticle (and end up with a vector drawing)

dave

you's pays your money, and you's make your choice

[HiVi Guy]

I usually lean towards paper cone drivers but I like that the CHR70 has a little more top end. However, bass response is a little more important to me. What about the CHP70? I love the look of the natural paper cone, but how does it compare to the other drivers mentioned for my application?

Maybe I will get a table saw for Christmas, then I will be able to build the Frugals this spring.

Thanks for all the replies.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by HiVi Guy

I usually lean towards paper cone drivers but I like that the CHR70 has a little more top end. However, bass response is a little more important to me. What about the CHP70? I love the look of the natural paper cone, but how does it compare to the other drivers mentioned for my application?

Maybe I will get a table saw for Christmas, then I will be able to build the Frugals this spring.

Thanks for all the replies.

Partly the answer depends on which CHP70? I'm not sure how many folks have had the opportunity to compare the earlier (European) and current G2 version and either version of CHR70. In this size range, I've heard CHR70 (both gens) CHP70 G2, EL70, Alpair7 & 7.3, and Alpair6 M & P in a range of enclosures - I certainly couldn't nominate an overall winner for all applications.

Is your inclination to the CHR based on actual listening, or forum chat? - that's always a toughie.

The FH3 enclosure has certainly been found to be compliant enough to work well with a wide range of 3-4" drivers (all of the above named and more) - with some models adjustment to damping / fill is required to tame bass output.

how's that for clarifying things?

[Bigun]

Originally Posted by chrisb

how's that for clarifying things?

you'd make a good politician

Personally, I don't like the colour scheme for the CHP, a combination of black and tan. OK if you're mixing a drink but otherwise it looks weird - maybe it's just the datasheet that shows it in a bad light ?

The freq. response may not be to your taste either.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by Bigun

I don't like the colour scheme for the CHP, a combination of black and tan.

They come in black as well. The spike upward, followed by the shelf in the HF is audible when directly compared to an EL70 as a loss of harmonics on female vocals, but listening by themselves quite enjoyable, i have a set of milliSize (stock) playing in my office right now.

dave

[zman01]

Originally Posted by planet10

They come in black as well. The spike upward, followed by the shelf in the HF is audible when directly compared to an EL70 as a loss of harmonics on female vocals, but listening by themselves quite enjoyable, i have a set of milliSize (stock) playing in my office right now.

dave

This caveat can be remedied by a tweeter if required?

[planet10]

Originally Posted by zman01

This caveat can be remedied by a tweeter if required?

Maybe... getting this to XO smoothly with the peak, followed by the shelf may be an issue unless in the digital domain, and if that, it could just be EQed flat.

If you are going to add a tweeter, might as well start with CHBW, which has a 10dB lower shelf & not quite as dramatic a peak, making XO easier (and a very good XO already developed -- kits can be had from Bob/CSS, not sure what the status of the circuit is)



The FR anomalies are likely accompanied by phase anomolies.

That said, Chris is sheduled to put some holes for some ERT26 on the empty faces of the microTowers, we may be able to turn the shelf into an asset as we turn them into MTII.

dave

[bbggg]

Originally Posted by HiVi Guy

13ft x 13ft. The speakers will be close to walls and probably placed in or near corners

Expect some trouble at 43 and 87 Hz.

[HiVi Guy]

Originally Posted by chrisb

Partly the answer depends on which CHP70?

I will be ordering from Madisound, so I am referring to the Gen2.

Originally Posted by chrisb

I certainly couldn't nominate an overall winner for all applications.

Of course not. I am a MECA Sound Quality League competitor and 1st place winner in my class and I fully understand that any driver will perform different in any given application. The drivers I use in my car to win competitions may sound like crap in your car.

Originally Posted by chrisb

Is your inclination to the CHR based on actual listening, or forum chat?

You present a false dichotomy. You are giving two options when there are actually more. My inclinations are based on experience with different cone materials, motor designs, cone geometry, suspension configurations, Klippel distortion data, and response data I take with my personal RTA setup. Forum banter is not a factor in my decision, with the exception of this thread in which I am seeking personal experience from knowledgeable people. I value measurable performance over listening impressions anyways.

Originally Posted by chrisb

The FH3 enclosure has certainly been found to be compliant enough to work well with a wide range of 3-4" drivers (all of the above named and more) - with some models adjustment to damping / fill is required to tame bass output.

This is nice to know. If I build the FH3, I will use the FE126En.

Originally Posted by bbggg

Expect some trouble at 43 and 87 Hz.

I understand it is not optimal to fix acoustic/mechanical problems with electrical solutions but I have no qualm using digital signal processing to take care of any problems a dinky little 4" driver may impose.

As always, Thanks for the replies.