Hi folks,
Just like to let anyone who is interested know that, without measurements, without software, without any advice or recommendations, I popped some Alpair 7's into my Brynn cabinets to compare with the Fostex fe127e's.
If you have some Brynn cabinets and Alpairs, do try it, it's a fabulous speaker package.
I was originally attempting to blend some Vifa M22 woofers using a plate amp to the Alp's using EL34's. The combination worked, and worked very well --- eventually. A high-pass to the Alpairs of ~120Hz worked best (I tried various ranges from ~80 up to ~250). The filter is why I was not concerned with the overly large volume of the Brynn (~13 - 14L). I removed the filter a few days ago and switched off the plate amps. Holy crap!
I wont do any comparisons v other drivers. It does in my opinion beat out the fe127e quite easily, and does too the CSS FR125 (which I love).
So again, if you have some Brynn cabs and the Alpairs, give it a whirl. If you would like to try without commiting then a simple ring shaped piece of timber to accommodate the Alps that can be screwed into existing holes would work fine I'm sure.
Just like to let anyone who is interested know that, without measurements, without software, without any advice or recommendations, I popped some Alpair 7's into my Brynn cabinets to compare with the Fostex fe127e's.
If you have some Brynn cabinets and Alpairs, do try it, it's a fabulous speaker package.
I was originally attempting to blend some Vifa M22 woofers using a plate amp to the Alp's using EL34's. The combination worked, and worked very well --- eventually. A high-pass to the Alpairs of ~120Hz worked best (I tried various ranges from ~80 up to ~250). The filter is why I was not concerned with the overly large volume of the Brynn (~13 - 14L). I removed the filter a few days ago and switched off the plate amps. Holy crap!
I wont do any comparisons v other drivers. It does in my opinion beat out the fe127e quite easily, and does too the CSS FR125 (which I love).
So again, if you have some Brynn cabs and the Alpairs, give it a whirl. If you would like to try without commiting then a simple ring shaped piece of timber to accommodate the Alps that can be screwed into existing holes would work fine I'm sure.
yup, the 7 is a very pleasant surprise in a lot of boxes (the 'onken prime for example)
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Am I connecting the dots properly here - you are saying that the Alpair 7 is so darn good on it's own in the Brynn enclosure that you can get all the bass you need without a woofer at all ?
Is the lower sensitivity of the Alpair speaker c.f. Fostex not an issue (perhaps you have a SS amp) ?
I think at the very least that a substantial improvement in transparency from midbass through upper midrange would add to the "wha whazzat?" factor.
And yes, in the only enclosure in which I've had occasion to directly compare them (i.e. Fonken prime / dMar-Ken7), this guy is more smoothly and deeply extended in the low end than the FE127E. In a small room the Fostex might be borderline for some folks, while the MA quite possibly more than adequate.
The Mark Audio drivers with the new multiform cones and the Matsubari-san spiders are pretty special. Mark has gotten the micro-resonance structure of these so that they are bottom to top coherent, doing no harm to the music. Makes one willing to go out and get a bigger amp. Along with the CHR & the EL70 which share some attributes in less expensive drivers, these can be true 9 octave FRs, and will set new standards for no-holds barred when well-integrated with helper woofers (or at least i expect so -- a cross between dMar-Ken7 & FonkenWoof will give me a solid idea)
They have -- in their stock form yet -- joined the FF85KeN & FE127eN on the list of my personal favorite drivers.
The 1st batch of A7eN are underway, BTW.
Since Brynn is directly based on the Classic GR Fonken, there should be little reason that a Mark Audio specific variation cannot be done. Scott's call thou.
Good to hear your call on optimimum XO for A7 to woofer. I am working on a super-Tysen Blade with A7 & 4 SDX7.
dave
They have -- in their stock form yet -- joined the FF85KeN & FE127eN on the list of my personal favorite drivers.
The 1st batch of A7eN are underway, BTW.
Since Brynn is directly based on the Classic GR Fonken, there should be little reason that a Mark Audio specific variation cannot be done. Scott's call thou.
Good to hear your call on optimimum XO for A7 to woofer. I am working on a super-Tysen Blade with A7 & 4 SDX7.
dave
Which box is that? Is it the original miniOnken? If so, I've got yet another possibility to explore.
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Sounds like these are really nice drivers.
IF ONLY the Alpair drivers were at the 90dB+ level I'd be using them. But the spec sheets show them at 85dB - which is no good for my tube applications.
IF ONLY the Alpair drivers were at the 90dB+ level I'd be using them. But the spec sheets show them at 85dB - which is no good for my tube applications.
>>> IF ONLY the Alpair drivers were at the 90dB+...
Can anyone make a real world comparison between these and the more efficient, on paper, Fostex drivers? Is there a noticeable difference in sensitivity?
Can anyone make a real world comparison between these and the more efficient, on paper, Fostex drivers? Is there a noticeable difference in sensitivity?
Given the measured differemces in efficency i'd expect my 20w amp on the A7 (or EL70) to be running out of jam at about the same levels as the 4.5 w amp on the FE127. By that measure the MA are more efficeint than theys s'posed to be.
dave
I think that Mark, given his industrial & medical engineering background, tends to err toward conservatism in his published data, rather than overstating the case. Make of that what you will, but as the A7 is in practice a little more efficient than claimed, and equivalent sized (say) Fostex units tend to be a little less efficient than claimed, the differences, while still existing, aren't as dramatic as they might appear at first glance.
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My SET will not have 20W, so I'll have to pass on using Alpairs - but maybe next time....
People are happily using them in small rooms with 2A3 SET. Mark uses a 7w 300B for his personal pair at home.
Mark is really working on pushing up the efficiency of the A10 Mk2. I'm gonna guess he is going to get awefully close to the FE127. And with the countouring he does to help us with baffle step, in practise maybe higher.
dave
Mark is really working on pushing up the efficiency of the A10 Mk2. I'm gonna guess he is going to get awefully close to the FE127. And with the countouring he does to help us with baffle step, in practise maybe higher.
dave
>>> but as the A7 is in practice a little more efficient than claimed, and equivalent sized (say) Fostex units tend to be a little less efficient than claimed, the differences, while still existing, aren't as dramatic as they might appear at first glance.
Thats what i figured, thanks.
Thats what i figured, thanks.
and if budget permits, use a pair of Alpairs per cabinet (parallel if your amp is happy with the impedance load, but I've not noticed any artifacts from running either the CHR or EL70 in series on either tube or SS amps), and the concern over individual driver sensitivity is even less significant
I'm not sure whether it's counter-intuitive or not, but the cost of doubling up on drivers could well be less than extra amplifier power that might otherwise be deemed necessary.
To repeat what's been said elsewhere - in an over 400 sq ft open plan LR/DR/ kitchen 3W or so of P/P Triode EL84 amp is quite adequate for comfortable levels ( under 90dB SPL at 2-3 meters) with dual EL70 in the microtower design. Further, the radiation pattern of this particular design creates a reasonably large and spacious soundstage.
But of course individual venues and listening habits/needs vary too much for arbitrary guidelines or anecdotal observations to be relevant for all.
I'm not sure whether it's counter-intuitive or not, but the cost of doubling up on drivers could well be less than extra amplifier power that might otherwise be deemed necessary.
To repeat what's been said elsewhere - in an over 400 sq ft open plan LR/DR/ kitchen 3W or so of P/P Triode EL84 amp is quite adequate for comfortable levels ( under 90dB SPL at 2-3 meters) with dual EL70 in the microtower design. Further, the radiation pattern of this particular design creates a reasonably large and spacious soundstage.
But of course individual venues and listening habits/needs vary too much for arbitrary guidelines or anecdotal observations to be relevant for all.
How about the DTA-1 t-amp to power the Alpair 7? I might not be ready for a Brynn for a while but am thinking of something like the Fonken Prime is a next project.
A Fonken by the very nature of its name has a Fostex in it 🙂 Fostexonken.
All the Mark Audio go into Krypton series miniOnken. Mar-Kens, Mar-Kels, CHR-Ken (few know that the ledgendary Kraken sea monsters were originally exported from the planet Krypton).
It has been a bit of a struggle to get them all aesthetically pleasing, but it has forced me to come up with a few tricks that should also aid in the sonics. Will be seen first in the Mar-Ken12.
dave
FWIW, of the 3 or 4 Class T amps I've heard (Trends, Sonic Impact and Kingrex T20 &T20U), the earlier Sonic Impact which is I believe the precursor to the Dayton product mentioned was the least enjoyable in its stock form.
However, I think that Panomaniac has posted on his personal website some detailed exploration of mods to this class of little beastie
Sonic Tripath
I stand corrected then. Any images of these Kryptons or whatevs? I actually like the idea of a shelf system with bottom port but not through the bottom (as I have built from GM in the past.) I use grilles and so look toward having a fabric front for me as a user. The Fonken style makes that a problem.
Perhaps the Classic Golden Ratio boxes...
2 variations, shown for A12. I haven't finished the A7 drawings. The A7 one has a number of variations including one that does vent out the bottom.
dave
2 variations, shown for A12. I haven't finished the A7 drawings. The A7 one has a number of variations including one that does vent out the bottom.
dave
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