Alpair MAOP 10.2

Best box that I ever build for MAOP

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I was out of town all last week so I didn't get to finish the speaker until today. They are not set up correctly as yet, I just put them on stands next to my Frugel horns. So far I was only able to listen to a few tracks. It's like @LeifB60 says, the speaker just disappear. I hope to be able to have a good listening session this weekend.
 
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Frugel XLs w/MOAP 10s up and running. Thanks Bob at Big Wood studios for the kit and working with me.

A word of caution: The recess for the driver is perfect to a fault! The fit is so tight, with the flush mounted drivers, it would be nearly impossible to remove the driver after assembly. Before any assembly sanding around the speaker opening and test fitting the driver until it will drop out with a tap or two on baffle is essential!


Glamour shots:
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Finished vs unfinished

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Drivers installed. Flat lighting doesn’t show the grain pop.

Off to the “stereo room” with them for sound evaluation…Sadly wife wont allow in living room
 
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Not acceptable. One of the points of the MAOP series is that they are factory-matched into pairs. If Soundimports is sending out examples they've pulled off the shelf as though they are generics (even though the drivers are clearly numbered) then they need to go back, with a polite reminder that they are supplied in matched pairs, labelled so there should be no mistake.
 
Part of the mail I received from them:
"Thank you for your message.

I'm sorry to hear that you have received a non-matching pair of the MAOP-10.2 drivers.
We did have some issues when it came to matching these drivers earlier on last week.

You can send the non-matching drivers back to our warehouse using attached pre-paid return label. We will make sure to send a new, matching pair of drivers to your address as soon as the package is on it's way back to our warehouse.
"
 
MAOP 10s in FHXL sound amazing! The bass is absolutely unreal for a driver of any size! Not much I can say about the FHs that hasn’t been said already! Excellent design and execution. Was a little concerned they might not be sensitive enough to pair with my 1.5 watt 45 amp. In my small space, they do just fine. Work great with my 300 B also. Definitely have to move the volume knob considerably further than with my 97dB sensitivity speakers. Guess losing a little bit of headroom, but still sound great.

When I decided on this pairing I could not wrap my head around just how much bass these little drivers could put out. Thinking likely great bass “for their size” believing they would be “just right” in my little room. Reality is they may be too much for my small space. They are and exciting some serious room nodes at 59, 120, and 230ish Hz. Of course, no fault to the speakers… Any speakers with good bass would do this! It’s the room.

I put about 50 g of Acousta stuff in the front. i’m going to bump that up, but I don’t think this will be enough to correct for the room nodes. Tried a little digital EQing. May also put some super chunk bass traps in the corners. Likely just need something a little smaller.

I have mini Onkiens on order from Bob at Big Wood studios and may also try a set of the “small cabinet” super pensils too.

If you have the space for these get them! Bob’s kit is outstanding!
 
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MAOP 10s in FHXL sound amazing! The bass is absolutely unreal for a driver of any size! Not much I can say about the FHs that hasn’t been said already! Excellent design and execution. Was a little concerned they might not be sensitive enough to pair with my 1.5 watt 45 amp. In my small space, they do just fine. Work great with my 300 B also. Definitely have to move the volume knob considerably further than with my 97dB sensitivity speakers. Guess losing a little bit of headroom, but still sound great.
Wanted to add to my post.

Even if you doubt speaker break in, go slowly.…why risk it? Ran them on the bench at very low volume for a week before install and was very gentle with them for the next couple of weeks after install. Voices were distant and details subdued at first but slowly opened up. Was a major difference by 300 hours. Your patience will be rewarded.

My thoughts on breaking in these speakers. Total speculation!:

MA drivers have a unique profile that contributes to their signature sound. They are rather flat in comparison to most drivers. This would lead to less structural rigidity than a deeper coned “conventional” design. Thus, they may be more prone to damage and flexing when their movement is opposed by a fresh stiff suspension. The idea being to soften up the suspension slowly without over flexing and softening up the cone material. Maybe even work harden the cone material a little bit in the process? Complete bs? Let me know!
 
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