Just received a pair of Fostex FF85wk. I put them into my little workhorse cabinets (sealed and stuffed) and at first play I could tell these are special. At first listen, straight out of the box, zero hours, I was hit with crystal clear clarity, followed immediately by an almost headphone like three dimensional presentation. Very impressive right off the bat.
For a quick follow up, these have the perfect sensitivity to blend with the Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble IV passive "shoebox sub". Not sure what the exact crossover on that little sub is but it's quite high, making for good integration with the FF85wk. It's not home theater level bass by any means, but fills in nicely for music listening. I have the port "tuned" with some blue painters tape and a little poly to reduce the opening size and get rid of a bit of boominess and it works really well in a smaller room.
Certainly one of the favorites around here. I am just about to go XO round 2 on FF85wKeN in an MTM with Silver Flute MTM.
dave
dave
Hoping this creation will be singing up the mountain in August.
Sounds intriguing.
Just a quick follow up. With more time (guesetimating at about 100 hours now) they are getting noticeably better.
Could sealed with a high low frequency cut off (as I'm using them) be the best way to go with these little guys? These are truly the best 3 inch drivers I've ever had/heard. Very well composed even at a higher volume (and that goes for rock, punk, heavy music, etc.,...I listen to everything really; Jazz, classical, country........) and these guys really keep their composure. The high frequencies have the air and shimmer of a tweeter without any rough edginess at all.
Could sealed with a high low frequency cut off (as I'm using them) be the best way to go with these little guys? These are truly the best 3 inch drivers I've ever had/heard. Very well composed even at a higher volume (and that goes for rock, punk, heavy music, etc.,...I listen to everything really; Jazz, classical, country........) and these guys really keep their composure. The high frequencies have the air and shimmer of a tweeter without any rough edginess at all.
Same way but with FF85 in a midTL might be better.
I've currentl got the FF85/SF W14 MTM in the main system, taking a 2nd crack at a passive XO.
dave
I haven't been on here that regularly for a while. Did that ever come to fruition?
I'm still running my pair of ff85wk with passive sub combo. They continue to impress and surprise with the little subtle details they reveal. I'm almost at the point that when I get a new pair of drivers, it's more for curiosity than any shortcoming of these little guys. My minimalist "system" consists of only the sats/sub, a topping T-amp and a Roku 3 for media (Pandora, Spotify, etc...).
The passive XO for the W14 MTM is a work in progress.
Almost warm enuff here to start thinking about measuring outside so wecan get a better idea of optimizing what we have.
dave
Almost warm enuff here to start thinking about measuring outside so wecan get a better idea of optimizing what we have.
dave
Hey, type, another Brooklynite on the full range forum. I bought a pair of FX85wk's but haven't had a chance to do anything with them.
If you are interested in hearing a different full-ranger I just built a pair of Frugal Horns with the Mark Audio A7.3s. They sound pretty good, although they aren't quite finished, but finished enough. Let me know.
If you are interested in hearing a different full-ranger I just built a pair of Frugal Horns with the Mark Audio A7.3s. They sound pretty good, although they aren't quite finished, but finished enough. Let me know.
Ha ha......Thanks man, that's cool of you to offer. I'm actually in Queens now, but I manage a bunch of properties in Willy-B and still have family there too, so I'm still there a lot.
I have a pair of MA's CHP-70's that I really like and have been eyeing the 7.x for a while, just never got around to getting a pair - got turned off metal cones with the CHR (1st or 2nd gen - can't recall which). How do you like the Alpairs?
Now that I'm getting back into it, my short list of drivers to try are the 7p, 10p and TB W8-1772. I was keeping away from the 7.3 and 10M due to their metal cones.
In my experience i consider the A7p more like a stereotypical metal cone and the A7.3 more like paper. YMMV.
dave
I've owned/ heard pretty much every model of Mark's non OEM drivers over the past 5-6 years, and aside from the admitted delicacy of their cones vis a vis paper variants, I can see no reason to categorically dismiss the metals from consideration. The CHR is a great value unit, but sonically not my favorite in that price range - that'd have to be the 85WK - the A7.3, however, is on an entirely different level.
Interesting to hear that the paper cone has metal characteristics. Same for the 10p?
Appreciate the input and agree on the 85wk - still say it's the best 3 incher I've ever heard. How does the 10.3 compare to the 7.3, does it sacrifice highs for bass?
Disclosure - my 63yr old ears are compromised further by tinnitus and 22 yrs of occupational hearing damage above probably 12K, but I'd have to say not so much ultimate high end extension as low level detail throughout the mid-range to top end. The 7s do detail and depth of image very well, but do sacrifice on dynamics and SPL when not High Passed and supported with woofers, and simply can't dig as deep as the 10s, period.
Short answer should probably be : yes
Short answer should probably be : yes
I was expecting A7p to follow in the path set by the A6p/A10p. They don't.
The new 10s both pulled closer to the A7.3 in terms of keeping small details (ie smaller driver has better DDR). A10s have better bass. The 2 A10s are equally good, just in different places. A10.3 has top end closer to A7.3 but not quite as controlled. A10p has a "vintage" top similar to the A6p.
For single driver speakers, the extra bass probably makes the A10s a better choice for most people (assumming bigger box, bigger priceisn't an issue)
dave
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