Among my arsenal I don't think any one driver qualifies.
There's a relatively mature and sizable Chinese maker self-named "Correct" that got started copying the classic Japanese leather-surround P-610 Alnico, and by now has a complete line. I think they can technically satisfy any specification at the appropriate cost. I "stack" the Correct P-610 with its engineer-founder's earlier work Orgue P-610S Alnico, XO-less (no problem for 1st-order-series), and I can easily distinguish a violin bow's up vs down stroke etc. A newer FR maker variously labelled HiFi-bird/Michael's Audio/isred uses so-called "English drum paper with nanometer-coating" (https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...e-cheap-monster-ii.385062/page-8#post-7164255). I have 4.5/5.5/8" and they sounded like Lowther if Lowther sounded good, if you know what I mean. Because HF is elevated in the 4.5" (sold as 5") , sensitivity is hard to pin-down. These are all low-90dB extreme-clarity drivers in terms of speed/dynamics/articulation/detail.
BTW, I was disappointed by the Neodymium W5-1880, perhaps due to insufficient hours. Great for slow, bowed double-bass but not micro-dynamic enough otherwise, and lacks HF extension.
There's a relatively mature and sizable Chinese maker self-named "Correct" that got started copying the classic Japanese leather-surround P-610 Alnico, and by now has a complete line. I think they can technically satisfy any specification at the appropriate cost. I "stack" the Correct P-610 with its engineer-founder's earlier work Orgue P-610S Alnico, XO-less (no problem for 1st-order-series), and I can easily distinguish a violin bow's up vs down stroke etc. A newer FR maker variously labelled HiFi-bird/Michael's Audio/isred uses so-called "English drum paper with nanometer-coating" (https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...e-cheap-monster-ii.385062/page-8#post-7164255). I have 4.5/5.5/8" and they sounded like Lowther if Lowther sounded good, if you know what I mean. Because HF is elevated in the 4.5" (sold as 5") , sensitivity is hard to pin-down. These are all low-90dB extreme-clarity drivers in terms of speed/dynamics/articulation/detail.
BTW, I was disappointed by the Neodymium W5-1880, perhaps due to insufficient hours. Great for slow, bowed double-bass but not micro-dynamic enough otherwise, and lacks HF extension.
Last edited:
Using these specs, mid band efficiency:
n0 = (9.7822 * 10^-10 * 56 * 45^3) / 0.513 = ~0.009731 = ~0.9731%
SPL @ 1W/1m = 112.2 + 10 * log(0.09731) = ~91.881 dB
Vs published 1.106%, 92.457 dB
E_fortier,
The Scan Speak model is: 18WU/8741T00. Turns out, they were a gift from a satisfied customer that I built a set of Humble Home Made Hi-Fi speakers for. That model was the 'Orfeo'. I was so impressed with the lower mids and upper bass to the point that I was smitten. Next thing I know a pair arrives on my doorstep, and I had no cabinets except these back loaded horns. Had to make an adapter plate, a L/R crossover and add a tweeter. Was it all worth it? Let's just say I would do again, even in the winter. Sorry for the extended answer to a simple question. It is just that I have rarely been so impressed all the way around with a driver.
FWIW, here is a shot of a cutaway view of the folded horn from the side. Baffle in front is not on yet. Also, the new Scan Speak driver.
The Scan Speak model is: 18WU/8741T00. Turns out, they were a gift from a satisfied customer that I built a set of Humble Home Made Hi-Fi speakers for. That model was the 'Orfeo'. I was so impressed with the lower mids and upper bass to the point that I was smitten. Next thing I know a pair arrives on my doorstep, and I had no cabinets except these back loaded horns. Had to make an adapter plate, a L/R crossover and add a tweeter. Was it all worth it? Let's just say I would do again, even in the winter. Sorry for the extended answer to a simple question. It is just that I have rarely been so impressed all the way around with a driver.
FWIW, here is a shot of a cutaway view of the folded horn from the side. Baffle in front is not on yet. Also, the new Scan Speak driver.
Last edited:
hard to say as i cant even find 5 reviews of the smaller supravox unitsPossibly. Or maybe they just aren't that great, regardless of price.
jeff
seems the AER, Lowther, Voxativ, Supravox and the crowd for high money wideband drivers is extremely limited in terms of experience.
how i wish i could compare Voxativ 1.6 vs Voxativ AF-1N vs Supravox 165-2000 vs Lowther PM6a vs WE 755a
opinion of an OG with tons of experience with different FR and high sensitivity drivers...
http://glowinthedarkaudio.com/lii-audio-fast8.html
http://glowinthedarkaudio.com/lii-audio-fast8.html
I honestly wish that after all the decades that I have listened to numerous speakers, that there were more FR in the bunch. Such sound is unique to them even given their limitations. I have never heard a field coil driver, for example. IIRC the electromagnet (field coil) can be adjusted. Sigh. I would never be done.
Makes a bunch of us around here! Yeah, most of us pre 1950 folks along with a statistically near zero number of young(er) folks have been (un)fortunate to be weaned on FC drivers that only since Nd motors have they finally been matched, though of course lack the tunability to dial it in to a wide range of box alignments to 'taste'. Second best is AlNiCo, especially if SET or at least a low DF, tube amp.
the fe108 measurements are bad. Definitely not as advertised. Am i missing something?
hi fi compass measurements are really not good at all
hi fi compass measurements are really not good at all
You have to be suspicious of all measures. But often all we have so it gets grabbed onto.
A measurement outside an anecohic chamber is alreadt suspect.
Like the FE108e∑ which was introdcued in 2k and is still around. Many people love it. A sweet romantic FR with vintage top and difficult to drag bass out of. Dismissing it fom the factory graph is leaving a contender on the bench.
dave
A measurement outside an anecohic chamber is alreadt suspect.
Like the FE108e∑ which was introdcued in 2k and is still around. Many people love it. A sweet romantic FR with vintage top and difficult to drag bass out of. Dismissing it fom the factory graph is leaving a contender on the bench.
dave
i understand this, but the two measurements i get from independant users, paint the same picture...
https://hificompass.com/en/speakers/measurements/fostex/fostex-fe108ez
https://josephcrowe.com/blogs/news/fostex-fe108ez-versus-fe108ns
anyone have fe108ez with relatively flat response from 200hz up?
https://hificompass.com/en/speakers/measurements/fostex/fostex-fe108ez
https://josephcrowe.com/blogs/news/fostex-fe108ez-versus-fe108ns
anyone have fe108ez with relatively flat response from 200hz up?
Last edited by a moderator:
Both a bit more dramatic than reality. The ones i had the treatments took the peaky bits up top mostly away, the thing ost people worry about is the 1kHz hole, typically measured at about a dB. This driver has a wonderful romantic midrange, that is its strong suit. For the same sensitivity i prefer A10p but i could live with FE108e∑
dave
yes, its the 1khz dip that turn me off completely.
Both a bit more dramatic than reality. The ones i had the treatments took the peaky bits up top mostly away, the thing ost people worry about is the 1kHz hole, typically measured at about a dB. This driver has a wonderful romantic midrange, that is its strong suit. For the same sensitivity i prefer A10p but i could live with FE108e∑
dave
its not just 1 db... maybe im missing something?
can you explain more because all the measurements indicate about 4 db dip... edit: actually way more then 4db dip...
Last edited: