High end OB with LOWTHER

[strip]

Hi,

I am new member in this community and I hope that someone can help me.I would like to build hi end OB with Lowther + bass+ super tweeter . Are there any plans for such a thing? Any experience ?
p.s. excuse my English

[Jon Ver Halen]

Hello Strip:

Dick Olsher's BassZilla is one such design. It uses an open baffle DX4 and Tonian Labs super tweeter.

Black Dahlia Acoustics - Loudspeaker Kit Plans

My Medallion Platinum is another design, but uses a back loaded horn for mid-bass.

I am sure there are others, but I can't think of any offering a DIY approach besides these.

[strip]

Originally Posted by Jon Ver Halen

Hello Strip:

Dick Olsher's BassZilla is one such design. It uses an open baffle DX4 and Tonian Labs super tweeter.

Black Dahlia Acoustics - Loudspeaker Kit Plans

My Medallion Platinum is another design, but uses a back loaded horn for mid-bass.

I am sure there are others, but I can't think of any offering a DIY approach besides these.

Hi, Jon

Please, can You tell me what about yours LOB? What is Your opinion when comparing LOB and Bass Zilla? I admit LOB has much higher WAF.

[brookbh]

The Basszilla was from 2003 right? I think a year or two ago Olsher did a Feastrex dipole with the Hawthorne Audio Augie 15. Check Dick Olsher's page again, and also search for "Ultimate OB Gallery" in this forum to get some ideas...

[John_E_Janowitz]

I've had several people lately picking up the Dipole12's or Dipole15's for use with Lowthers. I'm actually working on a DIY bass section that could be used with any fullrange or crossed to a midrange/tweeter combo. I just ordered up a pair of the minidsp 4way units. My goal is to put together a baffle plan and dsp settings that would allow anyone to easily build the kit and then add whatever they have for a top end to it.

[Jon Ver Halen]

Originally Posted by strip

Please, can You tell me what about yours LOB? What is Your opinion when comparing LOB and Bass Zilla? I admit LOB has much higher WAF.

Hello Strip:

I have recently spent some time revisiting BassZilla, so this is an appropriate question right now.

The LOB requires bass equalization to have a flat frequency response. It really is very happy when using bi amplification and an electronic crossover like the First Watt B4.

The BassZilla can be run off a single amplifier, goes very deep, and the ribbon tweeter adds high-end delineation and sparkle. However, I really prefer the sound of alnico magnets in an open baffle. You could substitute either a PM2A or a PM5A for the DX4 specified in the BassZilla plans, and have a wonderful system. I was somewhat surprised to find out that the bass reflex woofer melded so well with the open baffle Lowther. There was just a slight sonic seam that was noticeable only when you listened specifically for it.

In comparison the LOB is a less sensitive to the room position due to the nature of the bass dispersion pattern. It is a little cleaner sounding in the bass, especially with those big, expensive Alnico magnet Altec drivers. The bass to midrange is, to my ears, seamless.

In the end, I believe that both are extremely good systems, and will deliver the same end results when properly set up. The cabinet construction of the BassZilla is more difficult, and the amplification of the LOB is more complex. Of course, it is possible to add a ribbon tweeter to the LOB, but when using the PM5A I do not believe it necessary.

[strip]

Originally Posted by Jon Ver Halen

Hello Strip:

I have recently spent some time revisiting BassZilla, so this is an appropriate question right now.

The LOB requires bass equalization to have a flat frequency response. It really is very happy when using bi amplification and an electronic crossover like the First Watt B4.

The BassZilla can be run off a single amplifier, goes very deep, and the ribbon tweeter adds high-end delineation and sparkle. However, I really prefer the sound of alnico magnets in an open baffle. You could substitute either a PM2A or a PM5A for the DX4 specified in the BassZilla plans, and have a wonderful system. I was somewhat surprised to find out that the bass reflex woofer melded so well with the open baffle Lowther. There was just a slight sonic seam that was noticeable only when you listened specifically for it.

In comparison the LOB is a less sensitive to the room position due to the nature of the bass dispersion pattern. It is a little cleaner sounding in the bass, especially with those big, expensive Alnico magnet Altec drivers. The bass to midrange is, to my ears, seamless.

In the end, I believe that both are extremely good systems, and will deliver the same end results when properly set up. The cabinet construction of the BassZilla is more difficult, and the amplification of the LOB is more complex. Of course, it is possible to add a ribbon tweeter to the LOB, but when using the PM5A I do not believe it necessary.

Hello Jon,
thanks a lot for all the information. As I sad LOB has much higher WAF(Bass Zilla's bas reflex is almost as wash machine ) so I prefer LOB. If You think PM5A combo doesn't need extra tweeter o.k. That money can be spend on electronic crossover. By the way what is the price for First Watt B4? Sorry, but I don't understand why is the amplification for LOB so difficult? What's the problem and how can it be solved? Some good valve stereo amp won't work??? Do You know the price for Altec bass driver?

[Jon Ver Halen]

Originally Posted by strip

Hello Jon,
thanks a lot for all the information. As I sad LOB has much higher WAF(Bass Zilla's bas reflex is almost as wash machine ) so I prefer LOB. If You think PM5A combo doesn't need extra tweeter o.k. That money can be spend on electronic crossover. By the way what is the price for First Watt B4? Sorry, but I don't understand why is the amplification for LOB so difficult? What's the problem and how can it be solved? Some good valve stereo amp won't work??? Do You know the price for Altec bass driver?

Hi Strip:

B4 pricing is not yet announced, but I believe it is around $1000. I think Nelson has re-named the B4 the B5, and the B4 is now a slightly different product, so be aware. Look at the First Watt site to verify. These are still not production pieces, but expect them a couple of months.

The problem, put simply, is that the LOB's want 2 amplifiers, one for the Lowther and one for the bass. Woofer, especially once equalized, needs a little horsepower to control it (I really like the Pass XA30.5 here, YMMV)

The Altec 416's are about $720 from Great Plains Audio new. But these can be found easily used on e-bay. Usually around 4-500 a pair in good shape. But abused 416's may have lost some of their magnetic strength, so be aware.

I did pretty up the BassZilla's by having a front face that looks just like the LOB, and a box behind it to fit the woofer. Right now I am really cheating and using a Pass Labs X-1 for an electronic crossover (B4 is on loan to a reviewer), a J2 on top, the XA30.5 on the bottom, and a PM7A as the driver. Needs a touch of sparkle on the top yet, but a very well balanced and pretty sounding system. Has great warmth and sweetness so often missing from speakers these days.

[Derry]

another consideration,,

Linkwitz Lab - Loudspeaker Design


Derry

[trusound]

Originally Posted by Derry

another consideration,,

Linkwitz Lab - Loudspeaker Design


Derry

A very nice sounding loudspeaker and the first OB I have heard and built a crazy looking version a 6ish years back..

But what you get by using a wideband like the Lowther in a multi-way is a single driver that is absurdly coherent in a very important passband.. The result is a realism and emotional connection that can't be described..