LF help for Fostex 108s in backhorn

[Sheldon]

I have a set of backhorns (front ported) that I made a few years ago, for a Fostex 108s (4"er) The cabinet design was from someone in the northwest U.S., but I have lost the site info. They've been in a second system in the living room, but are now going to my son's place - a fairly small house. Of course, they've never had much LF oomph, so I'd like to give them a boost. I'm thinking a separate LF driver in a box (sealed, if possible, OK vented too). I'd actively cross it around 2-300Hz to take some load off the little driver. Not looking for movie level bass, just good for music. Anyone done this, or have any suggestions?

Sheldon

[Godzilla]

No reason you can't buy or build a powered sub and mate with your back horns. Were you planning to buy or build?

[Sheldon]

Thanks for the reply,

Could do that, but I've got plenty of amps, so I don't need a powered sub. I've also got the preamp set up so that I can easily do an active crossover in the pre.

The other reason for not just going for a sub, is that I'd like to cross higher than usual. So I figure it's best to have stereo woofers, located next to the speakers. And, I want something that does the low mids well. I'm thinking that this essentially amounts to a two way speaker. I don't need to go too low. Extension to about 50Hz or so should be plenty. Could always add a mono sub for more boost down low.

Was planning to build. I figured that this is not so typical that there'd be an off the shelf solution.

Sheldon

[Godzilla]

If you can cross around 200hz i'd recommend H-frames that MJK has documented.

[Sheldon]

I'm sure those would sound nice, but that's a project of a completely different dimension. I already have the backhorn cabinets. All I'm looking to do is build a supplementary bass system. And it's gotta be fairly compact and work close to the wall. I realize there are inherent compromises in this, but I'm not shooting for the ultimate here - just pleasing reasonably balanced sound for music.

Let me rephrase: Can anyone recommend a modestly priced driver in the 7-8" range, that would give decent performance from around 50-250Hz, in a 10-15L sealed box?

Sheldon

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by Sheldon

I'm sure those would sound nice, but that's a project of a completely different dimension. I already have the backhorn cabinets. All I'm looking to do is build a supplementary bass system. And it's gotta be fairly compact and work close to the wall. I realize there are inherent compromises in this, but I'm not shooting for the ultimate here - just pleasing reasonably balanced sound for music.

Let me rephrase: Can anyone recommend a modestly priced driver in the 7-8" range, that would give decent performance from around 50-250Hz, in a 10-15L sealed box?

Sheldon

What constitutes a "modest" price?

This one works like crazy in very small boxes ( I have a pair of them running right now in a HT rig):

Creative Sound - Product Details


But $100 each might be a bit steep for this application,

budget options range from

Goldwood GW406D (PE sale @ $11)

Madisound:
Aurasound NS8-385 (Madisound for $20)
Silver Flute WR17R (Madisound approx $35)
Vifa PL18 ($60)



I've not tried any of the budget models above but have personally had very good experience with Fostex FW woofers ( a now long since discontinued model FW227), but the appropriate candidates for your application range from $90 to $200 ea

The only issue with many of these smaller diameter woofers is sensitivity of probably 3-4dB lower than the FE108S, so you'll likely need at least 60-70W PC to provide adequate matching

No doubt there could be other suggestions from the class

Bueller?

[Sheldon]

Thanks Chris, that's where I'm heading with this. I'll check these out and play with Winsd. Sensitivity is not a problem. I'll use a separate amp - I have too many as it is anyway. I even have the makings of a crossover from already in the preamp. A few component changes, and added pots for level setting, is all I will need to do.

Sheldon

[Sheldon]

Hmm, the Goldwood is nice for the money, but limited x-max. The CSS driver looks really good, but maybe a little rich for this project. The Silver flute models nice and has decent (5mm) x-max. Might be a good fit.

Sheldon