I wonder if some tube lovers really use in-efficient speakers/drivers like B&W or Scan-Speak.
I think the best approach is to direct feed the driver (full range) without crossover circuit (For 2-way, direct feed to the woofer may create an audible “overlapping” problem).
KEF Q35 is being under target, for it’s efficiency (90dB?) and fanatism with KEF. May be Klipschs are more efficient, but I don’t want to risk my money for this brand with its horn tweeter.
Lowther, for 104dB sensitivity (?), has been my target if I could find one. But I’m blind with the product types/lines. Anyone can inform me with these Lowther types (+- 6 inch)? Oh, I will use low wattage solid state for an amplifier.
Thanks.
I think the best approach is to direct feed the driver (full range) without crossover circuit (For 2-way, direct feed to the woofer may create an audible “overlapping” problem).
KEF Q35 is being under target, for it’s efficiency (90dB?) and fanatism with KEF. May be Klipschs are more efficient, but I don’t want to risk my money for this brand with its horn tweeter.
Lowther, for 104dB sensitivity (?), has been my target if I could find one. But I’m blind with the product types/lines. Anyone can inform me with these Lowther types (+- 6 inch)? Oh, I will use low wattage solid state for an amplifier.
Thanks.
Even though I use an A4 as amp me thinks that the setup I use will be a good candidate for tube amplification.
Fostex FE164 wide open (92 dB) plus Focal 8V416J (89dB) for bass with a second oder low pass at around 300Hz.
I had to pad down the FE164 about 6-7 dB on my setup because the woof is way down at floor level, in this way the overlap is almost not a problem
Of course the sensitivity of the bass is by no way ideal but you can find some nice 10" woofs that will do.
Sonicwise I'm very satisfied with this setup and eventualy will replace the bass speaker.
Fostex FE164 wide open (92 dB) plus Focal 8V416J (89dB) for bass with a second oder low pass at around 300Hz.
I had to pad down the FE164 about 6-7 dB on my setup because the woof is way down at floor level, in this way the overlap is almost not a problem
Of course the sensitivity of the bass is by no way ideal but you can find some nice 10" woofs that will do.
Sonicwise I'm very satisfied with this setup and eventualy will replace the bass speaker.
Attachments
Tony,
A4 is a Class-A bipolar, right? How many wattage? Is it a widely accepted method to cross the signal at such a low frequency (300Hz)? I guess this, together with padding down the midrange (I assume that you meant adding L-pad or resistance in series with the midrange) will sacrifice the mid frequencies to a non-acceptable degree.
Say we want to filter the higher frequency at 300Hz, what is the capacitance value you use? I think good caps are not feasible here (for the money), and bad caps may not be feasible either (for the sound quality). What do you think about direct feeding the Fostex and feed the woofer with may be 55Hz signal? Just consider the woofer as a bonus
Shoog,
Vintage Alnico, Isophon and Saba, these are new to my ears. And surely I won’t have an access to them without credit cards.
“High sensativity,controlled bass and sweet top end. what more could you ask for in life!!”. I’m asking for a credit card
A4 is a Class-A bipolar, right? How many wattage? Is it a widely accepted method to cross the signal at such a low frequency (300Hz)? I guess this, together with padding down the midrange (I assume that you meant adding L-pad or resistance in series with the midrange) will sacrifice the mid frequencies to a non-acceptable degree.
Say we want to filter the higher frequency at 300Hz, what is the capacitance value you use? I think good caps are not feasible here (for the money), and bad caps may not be feasible either (for the sound quality). What do you think about direct feeding the Fostex and feed the woofer with may be 55Hz signal? Just consider the woofer as a bonus
Shoog,
Vintage Alnico, Isophon and Saba, these are new to my ears. And surely I won’t have an access to them without credit cards.
“High sensativity,controlled bass and sweet top end. what more could you ask for in life!!”. I’m asking for a credit card
The FE164 is a full range and will go down to some 70 Hz but is kind of week bellow say 150 Hz.
I may be even higher with the low pass filter I´m using 32uf with solen caps (polyprops) which are not very expensive and for a low pass (in shunt position) these are very good but of course I would not recomend these for a hi pass filter in series connection.
The enclousure of the bass speaker is a folded 1/4 wave TL (not bass reflex).
A4 is an Aleph 4 mosfet (Pass Labs design) and is a 100W class A, way overkill for the speakes that I can even drive whith an old Zen.
Padding down I meant adding series and shunt power resistors in a calculated way to mantain the original 8 Ohm impedance of the speaker as seen by the Amp.
I may be even higher with the low pass filter I´m using 32uf with solen caps (polyprops) which are not very expensive and for a low pass (in shunt position) these are very good but of course I would not recomend these for a hi pass filter in series connection.
The enclousure of the bass speaker is a folded 1/4 wave TL (not bass reflex).
A4 is an Aleph 4 mosfet (Pass Labs design) and is a 100W class A, way overkill for the speakes that I can even drive whith an old Zen.
Padding down I meant adding series and shunt power resistors in a calculated way to mantain the original 8 Ohm impedance of the speaker as seen by the Amp.
I use a pair of old B&W DM100i bookshelf speakers for my room, they are rated 89dB spl sensitivity. However, they are fine, even with a flea powered amp. They would go to very loud volumes even with my 2W 6BM8 tube amp. It is possible that their rating is a little conservative, and they are actually more sensitive.
I like their sound, they are quite forward in the treble though. However I like the crystal clarity they have. Eventually I too want to build a set of full-rangers, but I will need a bigger room!
I like their sound, they are quite forward in the treble though. However I like the crystal clarity they have. Eventually I too want to build a set of full-rangers, but I will need a bigger room!
Currently DIY Electrostatic speakers with a sand state active crossover to keep the efficiency up so I can drive the panels with any of my many tube amplifers. You'll be hard pressed to find another ESL which can be driven by a push pull EL84 amp. The bass is a pair of seas excel woofer in a TL driven by a Pass Aleph 3 (an amazing amp and I'm not doing it justice only using it on the bass.
I also use a pair of Jordan JX-92's in a transmission line, and a pair of Quad ESL's. I am always building something and driving it with tubes.
Sheldon
I also use a pair of Jordan JX-92's in a transmission line, and a pair of Quad ESL's. I am always building something and driving it with tubes.
Sheldon
LS3/5A
Hi,
Man, do I love those little speakers.
At a Penta show, can't remember which one, they were used by Tim De Paravicini to dem his EAR 509...they just sounded amazing.
On Bach organ music, no less.
Amazing clarity and bass quality you just wouldn't believe form such small boxes.
They're definetely on my shortlist.
Cheers,
Hi,
Man, do I love those little speakers.
At a Penta show, can't remember which one, they were used by Tim De Paravicini to dem his EAR 509...they just sounded amazing.
On Bach organ music, no less.
Amazing clarity and bass quality you just wouldn't believe form such small boxes.
They're definetely on my shortlist.
Cheers,
They need really good stands
(One) of the problems with the LS3/5a is that it needs a really good stand if the bass isn't to be flabby. My stands cost almost as much as the loudspeakers! Forget sand amplifiers unless their top is really clean. Another problem is that they are ideal for cats to perch on. Cathode has just been shouted at for this misdemeanour.
(One) of the problems with the LS3/5a is that it needs a really good stand if the bass isn't to be flabby. My stands cost almost as much as the loudspeakers! Forget sand amplifiers unless their top is really clean. Another problem is that they are ideal for cats to perch on. Cathode has just been shouted at for this misdemeanour.
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