Nagaoka enclosure for Fostex FE203En-S

[johanwholst]

Hi all
I would like to build one of Nagaokas creations for my newly obtained Fostex FE203En-S drivers. I am also contemplating the design for the FE206Es-R
Of the Nagaoka designs, I know that a special design for FE208ES have been working good With the FE203.
Can anybody recommend one of the D55, D57 or D58 for 203En-S?
Johan

 

[Scottmoose]

As I noted elsewhere, of the three you mention the D57 is likely to be favourite, but if you have the space the 203 will benefit from a larger, less compromised cabinet.

 

[johanwholst]

Thanks for Your reply Scott. I heard the FE203 in the locally nicknamed enclosure "Beer Guts". It is actually the Fostex recommended enclosure for FE208ES. It sounds wonderful With a super tweeter and crossover at 5000kHz. That enclosure is probably over 200L but matches the driver suprisingly well even it was designed for a driver With a much more powerful magnet.

Visually, D57 is also my favourite. Also the recommended design for the FE206ES-R which is more or less the same enclosure.

I know there are other good enclosure alternatives out there, but I have a desire of honoring the late mr. Nagaoka by trying one of his creations.

 

[johanwholst]

By the way, what are the deciding factors that make you pick D57 of the Three enclosures?

 

[Scottmoose]

Mostly the fact that you mention you like the aesthetics, although the D58 is probably the least compromised acoustically of the three since it has the advantage of size on its side.

 

[johanwholst]

I ended up building the Fostex modified version of Nagaoka D-57 for my FE203en-S drivers. I can only say that I am shocked how good this sounds!

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[johanwholst]

One more picture:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[Greg B]

Those certainly look beautiful. Very nice work. I hope they sound as good as they look.

No finish? I thought at first it was 50's style 'limed' lacquer.

 

[johanwholst]

Infact they sound better than they look, and probably is the most impressive sounding speaker I had in my house.
Only modification from the original design is a reduction of the diameter of the inner baffle plate. Seems like a perfect match for the driver with no leak of midtone in the horn mouth.

I have not done the finishing yet. Concidered staining them slightly, but I think I stick to plain danish oil.