Hi
Long story, but I’ll make it short.
Picked up a pair of used Lowther EX4’s in really good condition.
While testing them, in Martin Kings MLTL enclosure, and swapping out amps, they were both turned into smoke machines. Not my best moment…
They are in their way to Lowther for repair, and I will have the option of having either silver or aluminium voice coils installed.
As I didn’t get to finish getting the filter networks installed, parts had not arrived by the time I ruined them, I didn’t get to hear them “properly” with their original aluminium coils
Any thoughts/experiences with the differences between the coils would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
P
Long story, but I’ll make it short.
Picked up a pair of used Lowther EX4’s in really good condition.
While testing them, in Martin Kings MLTL enclosure, and swapping out amps, they were both turned into smoke machines. Not my best moment…
They are in their way to Lowther for repair, and I will have the option of having either silver or aluminium voice coils installed.
As I didn’t get to finish getting the filter networks installed, parts had not arrived by the time I ruined them, I didn’t get to hear them “properly” with their original aluminium coils
Any thoughts/experiences with the differences between the coils would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
P
Fortunately, Lowther make things a little easier by providing data for their drive units [imagine that: a manufacturer of expensive wideband drive units who actually publishes some basic T/S parameters, impedance an axial FR plots. Might catch on]. The EX4 is really a horn driver, short of additional compensation, but the 8ohm silver coil versions are a little more linear in response [these things being relative] so would be my pick for this use, plus any necessary compensation from amplifier output impedance & / or other means as desired.
Thanks! I can ask them if the premium cones are an option for me. They have yet to arrive at Lowther, I went for the slowest/cheapest shipping option as I had not factored in the cost of destroying the drivers 🙂
Thanks Scott.
I’ve been looking over the specs for both versions, and it would appear that the silver will indeed be easier to compensate with a filter? I’m leaning towards that option, and at this point the cost difference between the two coils won’t be a deciding factor.
I have some amplifier options I can play with, but will likely be using them with a single ended tube amp. I have a Type 45, an EL34 as well as an EL84. The EL84 going to be stripped down and rebuilt as RH84. It seems to be well regarded and I’m very curious to hear it.
P
I’ve been looking over the specs for both versions, and it would appear that the silver will indeed be easier to compensate with a filter? I’m leaning towards that option, and at this point the cost difference between the two coils won’t be a deciding factor.
I have some amplifier options I can play with, but will likely be using them with a single ended tube amp. I have a Type 45, an EL34 as well as an EL84. The EL84 going to be stripped down and rebuilt as RH84. It seems to be well regarded and I’m very curious to hear it.
P
Went with the silver 8ohm version. Ran them at low volume continuously for over a week once they arrived, and they have been in the system since. Lots of hours 🙂
Martins MLTL is sounding very good, though the filter I ended up with is wildly different than his. Taming the higher frequencies and getting the balance right with the bass response has been tricky, but I’m getting a lot closer.
I’m very pleased with these so far!
Martins MLTL is sounding very good, though the filter I ended up with is wildly different than his. Taming the higher frequencies and getting the balance right with the bass response has been tricky, but I’m getting a lot closer.
I’m very pleased with these so far!