Ed - I'm sure there are plenty of Lowther FR curves to be found (but none from the manufacturer's site?) what would be along the same lines.
Martin King, for example - note the bottom end of both graphs is 200Hz
And one of Steve Deckert's white papers
DECWARE - Audio Paper - Lowther DX55 Full range application
Martin King, for example - note the bottom end of both graphs is 200Hz
And one of Steve Deckert's white papers
DECWARE - Audio Paper - Lowther DX55 Full range application
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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Depends on the specific driver & details will vary between different units but for the 8in models, typically a more or less rapidly rising response peaking around +10dB - +15dB at around 12KHz followed by a rolloff. As noted, this is not universal, there are exceptions; I can't recall which, although probably the smaller units. I'm not a fan, but some are; fair enough, room for all tastes.
Unless front and back, horn loaded, Lowthers require too much EQ/tweaking, which severely limits its dynamic headroom, so if you want worthwhile improvement, step up to better prosound wide range midbass horn drivers, large format [1.4-2" throat] compression horns [TAD, Altec/GPA or similar] to get full/life-like speech, etc., and couple them to matching impedance SET amps since you've got woofers, horn super tweeters.
GM
Most 8' bicones offer similar curves, as this recent Seas model FA22RCZ.
It might look scary, but i does not sound so bad. Btw as a full ranger, the bigger the driver the more it needs a rising response to maintain an acceptable power response to avoid a too dull sound.
My biggest concern with my DX2 was lack of bass (and ridiculous xmax), despite the BLH I built ( Acousta) and corner placement.
MJK seems to be happy with his kind of BR ( Mass Loaded thing...
), but also uses tons of eq to get the tonal balance civilized, so that the benefit of high sensitivity vanishes in a coil...
It might look scary, but i does not sound so bad. Btw as a full ranger, the bigger the driver the more it needs a rising response to maintain an acceptable power response to avoid a too dull sound.
My biggest concern with my DX2 was lack of bass (and ridiculous xmax), despite the BLH I built ( Acousta) and corner placement.
MJK seems to be happy with his kind of BR ( Mass Loaded thing...
), but also uses tons of eq to get the tonal balance civilized, so that the benefit of high sensitivity vanishes in a coil...
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Yes, Bob Brines did similar and was quite nice in a nearfield app at modest SPLs, though even then I could hear low notes occasionally being 'drawn out' as they exceeded their severely limited linear response. A lot of folks don't mind this as long as the speakers perform well overall, but I was/am so spoiled on 'heart attack fast' HE [horn] systems that it's just flat out annoying, especially when the speakers are as smooth/clear as BB's was.
GM
GM
poll result and this graph really discouraged me, no one chose option YES yet
encouraging response, not bad rite.Ed - I'm sure there are plenty of Lowther FR curves to be found (but none from the manufacturer's site?) what would be along the same lines.
Martin King, for example - note the bottom end of both graphs is 200Hz
that is Fane 12-200LT response from datasheet, can you judge driver quality based on measurement result? despite it's price which is only a fraction of 10% PM6A.
this morning i tried short test which i had never did before. disconnect horn tweeter and remove LP. now it's only 12-200LT without filter and T90A + 1uf.
my first impressions : maybe it's called better coherence, no transition between mid bass and vocal. next thing is that T90A need to be reduced, either using lower capacitor value or use my old Lpad Monacor AT-52H. it seems that horn tweeter will taken out for a while. but overall this combo seems 'better'.
I already bought behringer ecm8000 microphone and tascam us-322 mixer, however i can not make useful measurement with REW. always get rumble noise below 200Hz, it seems that ecm8000 that i got is faulty. If i can make it work then i might get a better picture on different speaker setup.
after reaching out several colleagues, i still cant find any place for Lowther audition :(
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those curves look terrible for a $500 plus driver however these drivers may not have any resonance points in the audio band and therefore do not "squak" at narrow frequency bands.
this would cause them to sound fantastic on some music and maybe a little weak on other material if the vocalist or instrument fall into the area around 3khz for the DX2.
I do like the response around 8 - 12 khz
this would cause them to sound fantastic on some music and maybe a little weak on other material if the vocalist or instrument fall into the area around 3khz for the DX2.
I do like the response around 8 - 12 khz
just bought this Altec 416-8A from local store with serial number 32892 & 32894. cone is in good shape, dent on frame paint but still looking good. I think that I'll jump into Lowther to accompany this legendary woofer
Thanks to all responses
Thanks to all responses
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Coupled to a tractrix horn loaded DX4 around 8-900 Hz you'll have something special, though if one driver is missing its dust cap screen, it will need replacing and generally speaking these frames don't 'dent' they crack/fracture, so make sure there's none.
GM
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@chrisb
I dont understand that poem, english is not my main language.
@GM
never had a thought on 8" driver into a horn, but the more i google front loaded horn, the more porn that i get, they are beautiful. but this horn is not something that i can build by my self, a plain open baffle is still doable for me.
I'm keeping MJK post Lowther Open Baffles
that DX4 will be a great choice, but I'll have to save money first, maybe a year to get it
meanwhile I'll play with several configuration on existing drivers, and learn on how to use REW & behringer mic. i just hope someday i'll get a second hand of DX4 with a bargain price.
btw about dent on altec, its just paint scratch and no any crack on the frames. do you think that $375/pair is a great deal?
I dont understand that poem, english is not my main language.
@GM
never had a thought on 8" driver into a horn, but the more i google front loaded horn, the more porn that i get, they are beautiful. but this horn is not something that i can build by my self, a plain open baffle is still doable for me.
I'm keeping MJK post Lowther Open Baffles
that DX4 will be a great choice, but I'll have to save money first, maybe a year to get it
meanwhile I'll play with several configuration on existing drivers, and learn on how to use REW & behringer mic. i just hope someday i'll get a second hand of DX4 with a bargain price.
btw about dent on altec, its just paint scratch and no any crack on the frames. do you think that $375/pair is a great deal?
Sorry, don't pay much attention to used prices or know GPA prices as a guide, just know that they have excellent resale value; for instance, drivers on a par with my [4] mid '50s 515B were going for ~$1500/ea. awhile back and some of the earlier ones for 2-3x this.
The folks on the Altec forum will know though: Altec User's Board
GM
The folks on the Altec forum will know though: Altec User's Board
GM
i heard ~20 different 8" FR over the years, also Lowther PM 2c, 2A, 6c, 6a, c80, over years, a few measurements on my HP (horn sats). Today i would not try expensive ones,
my listening experience and measurements shows good sound is not expensive,
the best way to balance the rising esponse of 8" FR is to take a seccond indirect driver in a double horn like my RDH20
my listening experience and measurements shows good sound is not expensive,
the best way to balance the rising esponse of 8" FR is to take a seccond indirect driver in a double horn like my RDH20
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