I have built a pair of Fonkens with a pair of FE127E that I enabl'd myself. I love these little speakers and now want to try my hand at the Fonken tune floorstander MKII.
Would the CSS FR125SR driver be appropriate for this cabinet? Should I just stick with the proven Fostex driver.
It seems that the CSS driver has been successfully implemented in the Fonken cabinet I just have not seen the mention in the Floorstander version.
Thanks in advance!
Carl
Would the CSS FR125SR driver be appropriate for this cabinet? Should I just stick with the proven Fostex driver.
It seems that the CSS driver has been successfully implemented in the Fonken cabinet I just have not seen the mention in the Floorstander version.
Thanks in advance!
Carl
Carl; the FR125 mini-onken enclosure actually preceded the Fostex version, which IIRC from Dave's conversations only needed minor adjustments to port dimensions, so it would make sense that the floorstander would be as easily adaptable.
If you have a pair of the FR125s, this is certainly one of several designs to try them in.
Having said that, if you're looking to try a driver / enclosure with a slightly different flavor than the Fonken Prime/FE127E, and don't already have the FR125 on hand, I'd highly recommend the CSS EL70. While they don't have the XBL motor or sexy metal phase plugs, they sound fantastic. They have a more laid back presentation than the Fostex, most notably in the upper midrange, but deeper bass extension.
I currently have 2 pairs of speakers in the house incorporating these drivers, a version of the Fonken prime, and the dual driver "castle" microtowers.
They loves them polka dots.
I'd not want to have to choose only one - fortunately there are enough rooms in the house that I don't need to.
I've lived with the FR125s in the past, and just never quite took a shine to them.
If you have a pair of the FR125s, this is certainly one of several designs to try them in.
Having said that, if you're looking to try a driver / enclosure with a slightly different flavor than the Fonken Prime/FE127E, and don't already have the FR125 on hand, I'd highly recommend the CSS EL70. While they don't have the XBL motor or sexy metal phase plugs, they sound fantastic. They have a more laid back presentation than the Fostex, most notably in the upper midrange, but deeper bass extension.
I currently have 2 pairs of speakers in the house incorporating these drivers, a version of the Fonken prime, and the dual driver "castle" microtowers.
They loves them polka dots.
I'd not want to have to choose only one - fortunately there are enough rooms in the house that I don't need to.
I've lived with the FR125s in the past, and just never quite took a shine to them.
The same way the Fonken was adapted to make a floor-stander Fonken, the miniOnken could be morphed into a similar floorstander for the FR125.
But, after playing with the FR125 more, the best performance we obtained (other than in Calhoun), was in 4.5 to 7 liter aperiodic boxes.
The "fonken" for the EL70 -- Mar-Kel70 -- could also be adapted into a floorstander.
dave
But, after playing with the FR125 more, the best performance we obtained (other than in Calhoun), was in 4.5 to 7 liter aperiodic boxes.
The "fonken" for the EL70 -- Mar-Kel70 -- could also be adapted into a floorstander.
dave
Thank you Chris...I am not married to any driver and I really want to build the floorstander so I think I may check out the EL70. The price sure is right..
Add a false base to the halfTower (in the microTower document on the CSS box plan page) and you have an enclosure in the format required.
dave
dave
I have received the drivers from CSS - fast shipping too!!!
This weekend I have completed 2/3 of one cabinet - enough to clamp on the unglued side for a little listening to adjust the damping material. I have also eNabled the drivers. Two thin coats of modpodge - black Floquil for the patterns(I used the JX92S ring template as my guide), and two thin coats of Microgloss. The floquil I have is black so they look really stealthy(if thats a word...). The dots were not very visible at all until I put the gloss on and now they are subtly there.
Initial impressions? These little drivers really sound nice. I cant wait to glue up the other cabinet and finish these off.
Pics to follow shortly.
This weekend I have completed 2/3 of one cabinet - enough to clamp on the unglued side for a little listening to adjust the damping material. I have also eNabled the drivers. Two thin coats of modpodge - black Floquil for the patterns(I used the JX92S ring template as my guide), and two thin coats of Microgloss. The floquil I have is black so they look really stealthy(if thats a word...). The dots were not very visible at all until I put the gloss on and now they are subtly there.
Initial impressions? These little drivers really sound nice. I cant wait to glue up the other cabinet and finish these off.
Pics to follow shortly.
I finally glued both cabs up and they are now serving duty as the fronts in the HT room. I must say that these are impressive. I set the HT reciever to 40hz cutoff on the fronts and turned off the subwoofer. They are almost enough at moderate listening levels to not need the sub.
These EL70 drivers have impressed the heck out of me. The fonken floorstanders have exceeded all expectations as well and an easy build to boot.
Pics will come when they look pretty...
These EL70 drivers have impressed the heck out of me. The fonken floorstanders have exceeded all expectations as well and an easy build to boot.
Pics will come when they look pretty...
I have been thinking doing the same thing as in here. Only thing I can't get is the vent. When adding a false base to HT the vent goes straight in there. Is this OK? Does it need some holes or does it breath from the bottom (the false base bottom) as in HT?
If this turns out to be problem, I'm thinking of building Mar-Kel70.
Big difference with sound?
If this turns out to be problem, I'm thinking of building Mar-Kel70.
Big difference with sound?
In the halfTower with the vent out the bottom, the speaker needs to be lifted from the floor, and there needs to be openings to the room.
The Mar-Kel70 is the best box we have built here for the EL70 (we haven't built them all), but is a more complex build and has a larger footprint.
dave
The Mar-Kel70 is the best box we have built here for the EL70 (we haven't built them all), but is a more complex build and has a larger footprint.
dave
tasty penmanship on the polka dots,
the EL70's will grow on ya
My wife has a much higher stress job than my own (judging by the time stamps on most of my posts, it's obvious I've got a lot of spare time at work 😱 ), and her relaxation regimen includes a lot of yoga with ambient and atmospheric background music.
As it isn't "demographed" to a low denominator, some of this stuff is actually very well recorded - particularly those that include field recordings of nature sounds - running water, bird songs, etc. More than once we've both been startled by the reproduction of the latter two while sitting at the dining table, and not actively concentrating on the "music".
Another one that can be eerie is the Tibetan bowls and gongs
the EL70's will grow on ya
My wife has a much higher stress job than my own (judging by the time stamps on most of my posts, it's obvious I've got a lot of spare time at work 😱 ), and her relaxation regimen includes a lot of yoga with ambient and atmospheric background music.
As it isn't "demographed" to a low denominator, some of this stuff is actually very well recorded - particularly those that include field recordings of nature sounds - running water, bird songs, etc. More than once we've both been startled by the reproduction of the latter two while sitting at the dining table, and not actively concentrating on the "music".
Another one that can be eerie is the Tibetan bowls and gongs
Dave - I think Carl built the floorstander "F"onken enclosure - are you confusing that with the 1/2 microtower? Depending on how much false bottom the builder elects for the former, they could look very similar to the latter, except of course for the location/size of vents.
In post 5 i suggested that if you add a false base to the halfTower you end up with an analog to the FonkenFS, that is what i assume got built... Carl?
dave
Yes,
These are the Fonken Floorstander II's with the EL70 drivers. I must say these have really opened up with many hours of listening - although I have not "finished" the cabs. Also, one of the drivers "mysteriously" got a nice dent in the dustcap while I was out of town a few weeks ago...ARRRGHH! Got the replacement driver but still have not treated it yet.
Right now if I really want to thump, I can Xover the Fonkens at 100 and crank up the subwoofer(Infinity 100W). Although sometimes I set the front cutoff to 40hz and turn off the sub for "low level" listening. Sometimes I still get the old tap on the floor from upstairs if its getting late and I'm still watching something downstairs.
The receiver is an Onkyo TX-SR703 - been VERY happy with it.
These are the Fonken Floorstander II's with the EL70 drivers. I must say these have really opened up with many hours of listening - although I have not "finished" the cabs. Also, one of the drivers "mysteriously" got a nice dent in the dustcap while I was out of town a few weeks ago...ARRRGHH! Got the replacement driver but still have not treated it yet.
Right now if I really want to thump, I can Xover the Fonkens at 100 and crank up the subwoofer(Infinity 100W). Although sometimes I set the front cutoff to 40hz and turn off the sub for "low level" listening. Sometimes I still get the old tap on the floor from upstairs if its getting late and I'm still watching something downstairs.
The receiver is an Onkyo TX-SR703 - been VERY happy with it.
There are quite a few posts around here on how to fix some of those dustcap dents. Also check out the Hornshoppe site for a few techniques on the subject. Most of those dents can be fixed.
Also, Have you tried running them with no cut-off just to see if there is any difference? I see reference to either a 100hz or 40hz high-pass but no un-filtered comments. Unless you are playing them at silly loud levels, I doubt you could do them any harm.
Also, Have you tried running them with no cut-off just to see if there is any difference? I see reference to either a 100hz or 40hz high-pass but no un-filtered comments. Unless you are playing them at silly loud levels, I doubt you could do them any harm.
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