fe127e vs fr125s for noob?

[trimblepa]

Hi, I'm looking to build a smallish pair of speakers and like the idea of a full range driver. I'll be upgrading from a _beat_ pair of Bose 101's, so I should be easy to please. I don't have a sub and my amp is an old 30 watt SS Yamaha.

After looking around a little, I'm torn between the fe127e and fr125s in a BR or TL enclosure. Should I spring for Creative Sound or is the Fostex likely to be more than enough for a bottom feeder like myself?

Thanks, Clark

[edjosh23]

Just a few questions for you, to help decide on which is best for you.

What type of music do you listen to?
What size enclosures are you thinking about?
What size room?
Are you good at woodwork?
What is keeping you from purchasing larger drivers that still fall into your price range like the Fostex FE167 or the AudioNirvana drivers?

Josh

[trimblepa]

Mostly classical, but all sorts are a possibility.
My living room is about 12'x24'.
I have a tablesaw and router, so anything boxish shouldn't be much trouble.

As to size, I'm just drawn to the smaller form factors. Perhaps I'm making things too difficult by pushing this parameter? Bigger designs that I've considered are MLK's virtual project for the fe206e or even the Dayton III mtm. In the end, it really is about the sound ... and I don't really move all that often.

[Cal Weldon]

In a 12 X 24 room you will want to consider more low end than is available from even the CSS 125 drivers.

[joensd]

I guess those could be a good start:
http://www.timn8er.com/alegria_audio_rosa_tl.htm
You can still add a sub later if needed at all.

[Timn8ter]

That's a great little speaker (even if I do say so myself) and if you have placement options you could do the Planet10 variation and make it a bipole. The amount of output increase with the dual 125s is more than you might expect.
http://homepage.mac.com/tlinespeaker...e-MLTL-map.gif

[Jim Griffin]

Trimblepa,

You might consider my versus of a bipole ML-TL for the FR125S and WR125S drivers. CSS (www.creativesound.ca) has a parts kit for $260 and plans are available from Dave D's site at:

http://www.planet10-hifi.com/boxes.html

Click on the picture of my speakers and you bring up the plans. Others have offer positive comments about them after listening to them. The boxes are easy to build and the results are rewarding. Plus they have bass vs. the Fostex alternative that you mentioned!

Jim

[edjosh23]

Originally posted by trimblepa
Mostly classical, but all sorts are a possibility.
My living room is about 12'x24'.
I have a tablesaw and router, so anything boxish shouldn't be much trouble.

As to size, I'm just drawn to the smaller form factors. Perhaps I'm making things too difficult by pushing this parameter? Bigger designs that I've considered are MLK's virtual project for the fe206e or even the Dayton III mtm. In the end, it really is about the sound ... and I don't really move all that often.

trimblepa,

My first project was using the wr125 and turned out quite well. They have quite a bit of bass, but I was not satisfied with the effeciency. I recently built a pair of speakers using pioneer 8" drivers. These things have real bass. My room is 12x12 but this is plenty of bass, no need for any kind of subwoofer intergration. They were also more efficient, which I like a lot.

Since your only working with 30watts and you've got a big room I would try for a 6.5" or 8" If not fostex try
Audio Nirvana . If you've got those tools you can probably build a BLH (if your up to the challenge) and really get some bass in your room. I have heard great things about the Dallas II design. I've also heard good things about the Bass reflex recomended Fostex design for the fe167, the small box that vents through the stand. There are plenty of designs out there and if I were you, I would test your skills. You may even want to try out something simple and then build a refrence system after you know what you can do.

If you like the fr125 idea I would suggest going with the bipole.

Although the fe127 doesn't have as much bass, I prefer its sound over the wr125.

2cents
Josh

[planet10]

The FE127 & the FR125 are both excellent, but really 2 different beasts.

In the end the choice of what is best, besides cost, comes down to what amp you are using, and how much effort you can put into the box.

FE127 really shines with tube amps -- particularily SE amps. It is a struggle to get solid bass out of them.

The FR125 doesn't like the SE tube amps particularily but sounds find with even a mediocre SS HT receiver (don't even think of using the FE127 here). It also seems to do best in simpler boxes (7-15 litre sealed or aperiodic). Most of the ported boxes i've heard them in have too much bass, and i end up stuffing the port(s) to make them aperiodic.

Now if i could get the bass of an FR/WR 125, and the mid/top of an FE108ES (along with its efficiency) i'd be a happy camper (and likely spending 4x as much as a pair of either)

dave

[CSS/XBL]

Dream on, Dave! If we sell many more of these maybe we can get Mr Wiggins and Dr Hyre to challenge the laws of Physics and provide both bass and efficiency.

Bob