Focal 7L-011DBL versus 7K011-DB

[paulfx]

Hello! I have these antique drivers I bought from Warsaw Pl, Focal 7K011-DB.

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=788385&d=1571335597

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=788392&d=1571336612

They appear the same as the 7K-011DBL, except for a smaller dustcap.
Did Focal make these? How do the two models compare and contrast?

Thanks!
Paul

 

[wiseoldtech]

I'm curious..... are the baskets made of metal or plastic?

 

[paulfx]

Cast metal with textured black paint.

 

[wiseoldtech]

Cast metal with textured black paint.

Ok, thanks.


Then obviously they're older models.
Because the newer focals I came across had molded plastic baskets that eventually warped from the magnet weight, causing the VC's to rub.
Absolute trash they are, and yet they had the nerve to put increased prices on their speakers.

 

[paulfx]

Yes, once they start showing up in cars you know they're cashing in. Mark Levinson, HK, of course 8ose. I wonder if it's still: 1) Founder with passion sells quality 2) His children run the company for a while and they sell variations of the same thing 3) Founder dies and his adult children sell the company off and the buyers turn the products to trash.
Right now I am building a 7.1 setup using the ACI Sapphire IIti for every upper-range speaker except the center that I made myself. The 30-year-old L & R Sapphires have beaten anything I have designed including the rather good MTM surrounds I just threw out. Almost there - Found a fresh pair of stock Sapphires for the sides, and the used 7K-011DBl drivers are mounted in a duplicate cabinet for each of the rears. If the 7K011-DB's are communist knockoffs I'll put them in my center channel so all the speakers will have that 80's kevlar look.

 

[tsmith1315]

Did Focal make these?

Yes. Focal DB models preceded the DBL's. I still have a pair of 5N412DB's purchased new from Madisound in mid-80's. Minor differences from DB to DBL, but I can't remember what those differences are. Somewhere, I may have spec sheets leftover from back then, but no telling where or when I can dig for them.

 

[Dissi]

Hi,

tsmith1315 is right. The 7KO11-DB was a regular driver from Focal's dual voice coil range back in time:

http://www.epv.no-ip.com/files/7c014.pdf

I assume the DBL version is just the successor with L indicating an extra long voice coil.

 

[paulfx]

Excellent! TS parameters as well!

 

[pliedtka]

There was number of kits with the 7K011 DBL. Focal did one called 133 if I remember correctly. Mike Dzurko's mix with Scan tweeter was quite nice. I guess with current tweeters being able to cross below 2k, the 7K011 DBL could make not a bad loudspeakers, but don't expect a lot low end from them. The new version is 7K 4211DB from '98 on.
Focal was one of the most popular brands for diy including Poland in '80 and '90. I bet they are as French as they can be. Have pair 5NV4412 a newer version 5N412DBL from '98 that will get new spiders from Poland (STX) and will play music again - very nice sounding 5".

 

[pliedtka]

I post some pics from original Focal catalog

 

[pliedtka]

Some pics from Focal 1994 and 1998 catalog.

 

[paulfx]

Thank you!
Paul

 

[Roby60]

Look here:

Paramètres de THIELE et SMALL des haut-parleurs


substitute (maybe) available:


Haut-parleur Davis Acoustics 16GKLV6M, 8 ohm, 190 / 168 mm

 

[paulfx]

Excellent!
My Audio Concepts Sapphire IIti clone is almost done. The Jack Caldwell crossover is coming together. I substituted a tweeter with a similar impedance curve but less sensitivity so I have changed the resistor values for more output in the high-pass crossover. Hopefully it will see the same curve as the original tweeter had!
I would be interested in tuning famous crossover designs for modern drivers so as to maintain the same qualities as the originals. Great sport!

 

[paulfx]

Guys, it just dawned on me - I have the original Focal T120ti tweeters up front with external crossovers. I can get zma readings for the T120 with its stock padding resistors, and for my less-efficient Peerless DA32TX00-08's with no series resistance, and then try to match the curve in the crossover range. I have to pick up 4 dB in the highs.

 

[paulfx]

Match the zma, then worry about the frd.