A Big'un - the Audio Nirvana Super 15

[Bigun]

Originally Posted by ParsonL

This has been a helpful thread. I have been wanting to acquire a pair of AN15s and do something with them, but have struggled to know the best enclosure to utilize for such a large driver.

This thread, along with advice from Planet10, has directed me toward the boffle enclosure.

Bigun - are you satisfied with the bass output with the open back, and can you comment on the listening comparison (not merely the measurements) between open back and the closed vented enclosure. Thanks.

I've been so distracted with other things that I haven't tried it with the back on yet. I have a lot of business travel at the present time and don't expect to get around to more experiments until late December.

I am happy with the quantity of bass output from the open back but the quality of it isn't quite right - it's a little spongy and the freq response doesn't sound flat. However, this doesn't concern me, I don't think it's a fault of the driver or my future plans for this enclosure. I think it's mostly a limitation of this particular tube amplifier along with poor room positioning and the wrong stuffing.

I fully expect the Boffle solution and a closed back approach both to work very well indeed and it will be a matter of taste as to which I prefer.

All in all, I don't see (or hear) any reason why you should be cautious about buying a pair of these drivers.

As for enclosure - well I recommend the box I built.

I don't recommend Open Baffle - not because I don't think OB is good, but I don't see it as the best choice for the AN15. The reasons are - this driver is not dipole, the frequency response at the front and back are different, not least because at the front you have a whizzer cone. I also believe you can't have the driver too near the floor because then the high frequencies are too low relative to your listening position, yet placing the driver at ear height will mean inadequate bass. This forces you to add another driver. And for me, this negates the benefits and purpose of choosing the AN15 in the first place. An OB in my view is better served with a 4" to 6" full range and supported by a 15" woofer.