Quarter Wave Recommendations

[Kofi Annan]

Fresh off some sucesses with Lyra speakers and a third GainClone using BrianGT's boards, I'm looking for a new project and I think I want to build some quarter-wave pipes.

I'd like to build them around Fostex drivers (maybe the FE164 / 166E) since the general consensus seems to be that they offer the most favorable ratio in bang / buck computations. I've probably read all of the postings on this forum at least once and I've been to the quarter-wave and t-linespeakers sites, but I still have some questions.

First, has anyone had any good FIRST experiences building these things with Fostex drivers (newbie, here)? Second, is the FE166E really a drop-in replacement for the FE164, or are there some design considerations.

Third, I like the design of these, but I'd really like to use the drivers in this design and I want to use a single driver. Any ideas?

Finally, I'll be using these with a non-inverted GainClone pushing about 40W per channel and since these drivers are more sensitive than my Lyras (the Fostex are 94dB, I think) I want to make sure the speakers don't wind up having the "Pete Townshend wuz here" look when I power up.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated and as always, feel free to request any UN resolutions and I may be able to bring them up at the next UN open forum (wink, wink).

Kofi

[Dave Jones]

My first try with Fostexes (Fostices?) was a smashing success. See the recent threads about the FE107E. I'm thinking maybe next I'll try a project using the FE127E. The FX120 looks nice too, with its 2mm xmax - but pricey. I'm sold subwoofers, BTW.

[planet10]

I haven't met a Fostex i haven't liked yet... the FE167 in Bob Brine's ML-TL is very good. I expect the FE103s in Tim Forman's little ML-TQWT would also be good (they are very good with the RS40-1197s)

dave

[Kofi Annan]

Cool! Thanks for the replies.

Do you think the GC will be too much for the sensitive Fostexessesses?

Also, are you saying that I could use the FE167 in a quarter-wave tapered pipe and get away with it? Can I get the RS40-1197s over the web somewhere (it looks like RS only carries them in stores in Canada).

Anyone got a favorite design? I like these for the aesthetics. I'd like to find a clone of the Abby if anyone knows of one.

Sorry if these questions seem dim. The reason is that I'm dim.

Kofi

[Kofi Annan]

OK-- more specific question here:

Will this design work with Fostex FE207Es? The designer (the speaker-picker, anyway), Dan Dicker, indicates that these may not perform as well as the 207s, but since I can't find any 207s, will the "E"s do? They seem to have a 50HZ response at just a little less than 85dB, but I'm thinking its got to be close enough here, right?

Also, can I run these off a GainClone or will I be picking up pieces of an exploded driver while Mrs. Annan goes to stay at her sister's for a while until things cool down a bit?

Kofi

[planet10]

Originally posted by Kofi Annan
[B]Cool! Thanks for the replies.

Do you think the GC will be too much for the sensitive Fostexessesses?

Shouldn't be an issue

Also, are you saying that I could use the FE167 in a quarter-wave tapered pipe and get away with it?

Bob's design for the FE167 is an ML-TL -- no taper

Can I get the RS40-1197s over the web somewhere (it looks like RS only carries them in stores in Canada).

Only available in Canada... you would need a Canadian address to order from them... mail me if you want to get some...

dave

[Kofi Annan]

Only available in Canada... you would need a Canadian address to order from them... mail me if you want to get some...

Thanks!

Is the RS speaker that Bob uses in his straight pipe project (Model #40-1354a) the same as the RS40-1197?

If so, I'd love to get my hands on some of those and I will be E-mailing you. It looks like this would be a great first pipe project.

Thanks for all the information-- this is really a great forum.

Kofi

[planet10]

Originally posted by Kofi Annan
Is the RS speaker that Bob uses in his straight pipe project (Model #40-1354a) the same as the RS40-1197?

No, the 1354 was a 5 1/4" with a whizzer cone, the 1197 is a 4" based on the Fostex FE-103 (it even comes labeled FE-103). The 1354 was only ever available in the US... if you are REAL lucky you might still find a pair in a dark corner of some Radio Shack store (same with the 1197 as well) -- people are still reporting occasional finds.

Bob's 1354 project is an ML-TQWT so it gets larger towards the terminus.

dave

[Kofi Annan]

No, the 1354 was a 5 1/4" with a whizzer cone, the 1197 is a 4" based on the Fostex FE-103 (it even comes labeled FE-103).

Gotcha.

I expect the FE103s in Tim Forman's little ML-TQWT would also be good (they are very good with the RS40-1197s)

I have looked and looked and, while I'm sure its right in front of me, I have not been able to find Tim Forman's design on the web that you mentioned. Can you point me in its direction?

Man, that's just sad... I can't even successfully Google anymore.

Kofi

[planet10]

Originally posted by Kofi Annan
I have not been able to find Tim Forman's design on the web that you mentioned. Can you point me in its direction?

I'm surprised Tim hasn't posted in this thread yet... then it would be as simple as scrolling up and hitting his www button.

http://alegriaaudio.com/bipole_voigt_pipe.htm

picture back & front from this WEs mini-diyFest

Having a few 1197s -- i'm going to build up a folded pair of these.

dave