Hello,
Sorry if this has been answered already. I'm looking to do my first DIY build, and after a couple months of online reading I've decided to try a full range speaker using Markaudio drivers, preferably a floorstanding model.
I had decided to use the Alpair 10P in either a Pensil or FHXL when I came across this thread with a twin Alpair 7 where "imaging and soundstage is exceptional" and "hearing things that escaped my ear with my 10.3 pensils".
Now I'm back to having trouble deciding on what to build at all.
I really enjoy the sense of a large soundstage with detailed imaging where the individual instruments can be clearly located within a 3D audio scene.
All that being said, do the Pensil-10P or FHXL-10P shine in this aspect? Are there other driver/cabinet combinations that are clearly better with respect to imaging and soundstage without sacrificing too much on the other qualities?
Thanks a lot for any input you might have. These forums are a great resource and I appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Sorry if this has been answered already. I'm looking to do my first DIY build, and after a couple months of online reading I've decided to try a full range speaker using Markaudio drivers, preferably a floorstanding model.
I had decided to use the Alpair 10P in either a Pensil or FHXL when I came across this thread with a twin Alpair 7 where "imaging and soundstage is exceptional" and "hearing things that escaped my ear with my 10.3 pensils".
Now I'm back to having trouble deciding on what to build at all.
I really enjoy the sense of a large soundstage with detailed imaging where the individual instruments can be clearly located within a 3D audio scene.
All that being said, do the Pensil-10P or FHXL-10P shine in this aspect? Are there other driver/cabinet combinations that are clearly better with respect to imaging and soundstage without sacrificing too much on the other qualities?
Thanks a lot for any input you might have. These forums are a great resource and I appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Imaging/soundstage is an important sonic goal around here. You are describing one of the primary acheivements of the trapezoid Mar-Kens, the one with A7.3eN being the class leader (dMar-Ken7.3). The treatment the drivers get being an important contributor to 3D stoundstage.
Note that treated A10p in Pensils or FHxl will out do a stock A7.3 in the dMar-Ken7.3 in this aspect.
One cannot discount the importance of amplifier & source in acheiving this.
dave
Note that treated A10p in Pensils or FHxl will out do a stock A7.3 in the dMar-Ken7.3 in this aspect.
One cannot discount the importance of amplifier & source in acheiving this.
dave
I agonized for ages which set up to build, and now I realize that I was never going to just build one set 🙂 I built the twin A7s (two sets) for a mate who owns a recording studio, he commissioned me after listening to the 10.3 pensils and was wowed.
The A7's in my set up, in my room, have the edge in detail and airiness soundstage. But the 10's provide a fuller warmer sound with more weight to the LF. I can only say that both are fantastic and there is no wrong choice here, no wrong choice at all! The only choice will probably be, which speakers you build first 🙂
I am resigned to the fact that I will be building a 12p super pensil and a FAST with 7's. All in good time, and it's all good fun, it's my hobby after all.
The A7's in my set up, in my room, have the edge in detail and airiness soundstage. But the 10's provide a fuller warmer sound with more weight to the LF. I can only say that both are fantastic and there is no wrong choice here, no wrong choice at all! The only choice will probably be, which speakers you build first 🙂
I am resigned to the fact that I will be building a 12p super pensil and a FAST with 7's. All in good time, and it's all good fun, it's my hobby after all.
Thanks for the great feedback. I was hoping the Pensil/FHXL 10P would be my first build and that looks to be the case! Have a great weekend.
Agree with Dave, source being of paramount importance, interconnects play a huge role in my system as well.😀
always spend the most money on the source...IMHO
I definitely appreciate that aspect of the system. My current system is quite modest. All of my source material is flac encoded which is streamed through a Squeezebox Touch, which I believe to have a fairly good DAC. My amp is probably the weakest component: teac ag-h300mkiii People seem to like it as a lower priced amp. Anyway, I hope that's sufficient, but I guess I'll see. I never listen at very loud volumes and my listening room is maybe 250 square feet, so I'm never really pushing the amp that much.
lakcaj - the important thing about the amp would whether you are enjoying enough what it does for your system, particularly compared to other combinations that you've actually heard
if so, then it ain't broke
if not, then careful about asking for recommended replacements 😀
if so, then it ain't broke
if not, then careful about asking for recommended replacements 😀
There's not much doubt about the primacy of quality of source signal (GI-GO), but there's probably more ways to achieve that than just to throw the most money at the first component.
synergy can yield some amazing surprises
Ain't that the truth. To bad it isn't more predictable. I am about to jump into this pit of unpredictability (for me and my limited experience, in any case) and build a pair of Mr. Brines deigned enclosures for A10p drivers. I admit I was really amazed at the difference cabling made especially speaker cables. Maybe this becomes more of an issue when using low powered amps (I am using an Audio Sector LM3875 amp I built with 18v transformer) with more sensitive speakers.
What ever the case, it is a fascinating hobby.
Roger
Mmmm that gain clone in a goodun! I reckon it will not be found wanting with the new speakers.
FWIW I have had exceptional results with the Topping TP20 Mk 2.
What I would like advice on, is the best way to play FLAC or high res files. Is it worth going down the clock and anti jitter road? Or is a PC and a halfway decent sound card enough?
A little of topic, but still an endeavor to bring all the magic possible from the speakers we are building.
FWIW I have had exceptional results with the Topping TP20 Mk 2.
What I would like advice on, is the best way to play FLAC or high res files. Is it worth going down the clock and anti jitter road? Or is a PC and a halfway decent sound card enough?
A little of topic, but still an endeavor to bring all the magic possible from the speakers we are building.
Roger,
Brines Acoustics A10P MLTL?
Mr. Brines' designs are well respected, and from my experience with his A12P MLTL, the results should be satisfactory.
Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Brines Acoustics A10P MLTL?
Mr. Brines' designs are well respected, and from my experience with his A12P MLTL, the results should be satisfactory.
Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.
You're absolutely right. I have no intention of replacing any of my other components unless it becomes obvious that something is deficient after building the new speakers. I'm actually very happy with my current system, just got bit by the speaker building DIY bug and would love to hear how everything sounds coming out of a pair of Alpair 10P drivers.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.