The Frugel-Horn Project

[planet10]

Originally posted by stelleg151
As for the comparison between the Fostex recommended design and the frugels, I was just curious which you preferred, disregarding size.

I havent ruled out 127 folded (far from it), Im just hoping for a more efficient (louder!) alternative, thus my interest in the 126's. How would you (either of you) compare the frugals to the folded monopole 127 design? I realize they are very different speakers, but might as well ask anyways.

The frugels vrs the Fostex design. No contest. They both are good (& similar) in the range in which the FE126 is acting as a direct radiator. The Frugel-horn is perhaps a bit less forward (but we haven't optimized the CC yet and this is one of the places that this would be noticed. The big difference is in the bass. The Frudel-Horn is well controlled, with the Fostex design, it is there but kinda wooley.

Frugel-Horn vrs diyRef folded monopole. The FE127 is a bit more laid back, and in this box doesn't have as good a control in the bass. The FE127 in the Fonken has better control in the bottom, and likely goes a bit lower than the Frugel-Horn by just a bit, but without the finesse of the Frugel-Horn.

As one visitor said -- the Fonken sounds more like a commercial speaker. Both are good, i don't have a favorite (but with development of the Frugel-Horn who knows where we will take it ... if, in its corner, we can get the Frugel-Horn really close to the RonHorn A126 with its wall, i'd be really happy.

dave

[Godzilla]

I really like the 127e and plan to put mine in a .5 cubic foot box with a port on the rear... it might be about 24" tall. Small box the wife will love. I don't plan to use a tweeter this time around.

12" powered sub will provide nice bass.

I have no problem driving the 127e with the SI amp to loud levels. Powered sub helps fill out the sound when things get loud.

If i had the room... and the corners... the Frugal Horn looks like a great design.

Peace,
Godzilla

[stelleg151]

Cool, thanks dave, very clear and concise. Sounds like the Frugels will wait til next year for me .

Thanks Godzilla(haha). I think I will just go ahead and start with the 127s, glad to hear you like them. I also will eventually add a sub, any ideas on where youre gonna xover?

[no xo]

Godzilla, I built the Fostex double BR for the FE127E according to the plans, but added 10" to the height, and filled the bottom chamber with sand. That puts the driver close to ear level and has a small footprint. These speakers amaze me every time I listen to them. The bass is balanced and the clarity of the mid s on up outperform the Infinity bookshelves they replaced...no contest. I made these for my girlfriend who could care less about HIFI and now she remarks how nasty most of the stuff is that she hears at the retailers. For what it`s worth....testimonial from a satisfied customer.

[Godzilla]

http://www.zillaspeak.com/systems.asp

That's what i've done so far with my 127e + SI amp. I added a small powered sub that warms up and fills out the sound a bit.

I plan to build smaller boxes and mate the 127e's with a much larger powered sub connected to my tube amp.

As for the crossover... there is no physical crossover... just let the 127e run full and blend the powered sub until it sounds right. The 127e's will just fade away below about 60 - 70hz... it's their 'natural' crossover to a sub.

My system goes plenty loud... but it will sound congested at very loud volume levels... just turn it down a notch and everything cleans up nicely... sound is pure, clean and clear. This is not the ultimate system but is a very nice compromise of components and price. At reasonable listening levels with good recordings this system shines!

[Godzilla]

no xo... i dont doubt they sound nice. Sounds like a smart mod to an existing design... sand in the base and raising the height.

I wonder what you got in return from your gf after giving her the speakers?

And i wonder who gets them if you ever break up?

[no xo]

Well Godzilla, my gf, who works for the government offered a demonstration of the actions that got Bill Clinton impeached. After that I built a matching TV, Stereo stand out of red oak to match the speakers. With so much at risk I`ll try to keep this relationship and the speakers at her house.

[no xo]

Also forgot to add that I`ll probably replace the doubleBR boxes with the frugal horns. She will love those horns.........this is a great hobby.

[westend]

Originally posted by planet10
and what is the deal in the US... are you guys getting Xmm material and they are just naming it Y"?

Or is there real 1/2", 5/8", & 3/4"?

Of course baltic birch is the 1st on the list of build materials.

dave

Baltic birch is sold in metric dimension. MDF and plywood is sold in fractional dimension (23/32, 27/32, etc.). Due to raw material cost, the dimensions are on an ever-decreasing scale.

[planet10]

Originally posted by Godzilla
[B]I really like the 127e and plan to put mine in a .5 cubic foot box with a port on the rear... it might be about 24" tall. Small box the wife will love. I don't plan to use a tweeter this time around.

Very similar in concept to the Fonkens. 13 litres ported (1/2 ft^3 = 14 litres). I really like what the semi-aperiodic slotted ports do for the control in the bass.

dave