HEMP FR6.5C vs Fostex 167e

[Tripmaster]

Hi

I have the opportunity of purchasing some HEMP FR6.5C clearance stock.

Has anyone compared the Fostex 167e with this driver?

I intend to use it in the Half Chilli Chang enclosure, will this driver be compatible?

Thanks

Richard

 

[Scottmoose]

No. Even assuming the HA spec sheet is accurate (which is very unlikely). It's designed for the 167.

 

[Pano]

I have not compared it directly with the Fostex, no.

But the FR6.5 is a great sounding driver. Doesn't have the low end of the FR8, but has a sweeter midrange - seems more balanced.

Given a good price on them, I'd sure pick up a few.

 

[Tripmaster]

Thanks for confirming they are not compatible.

Currently a pair of Fostex 167e cost £131 Inc delivery…verses £75 for a pair of Hemp FR6.5s

Can someone recommend a similar sized enclosure to the Half Chilli that will be compatible with these units?

Sorry for all the questions but I am just weighing up the options.

Thanks

Richard

 

[Scottmoose]

Something designed for them would be a good start. A cabinet is designed for a specific driver; ergo trying to drop something else into it isn't a good idea. Personally though, I no longer do anything for the HA drivers, partly due to supply issues, and partly the lack of accurate measured specs. for them, without which you're just shooting in the dark.

 

[Tripmaster]

Something designed for them would be a good start. A cabinet is designed for a specific driver; ergo trying to drop something else into it isn't a good idea.

I no longer do anything for the HA drivers, partly due to supply issues, and partly the lack of accurate measured specs. for them.

Hi Scott

Thanks for your honest opinion...I will give them a miss then. I thought I could put the money saved on the drivers towards the wood. Oh well...that's what you are hear for!😉

Richard

 

[Scottmoose]

Honest opinion is what we all try to give. The above is only my take on it remember. Other people will have different views.

HA really are their own worst enemy, as has been remarked upon here & elsewhere many times. Supply is often questionable, customer care pitiful, judging by Dave's experience, what specs. they provide are difficult to swallow without gagging, and they have a bunch of cabinets on their website that have supposedly been 'coming soon' for about 18 months (i.e. they don't exist). Hmm. I have a .45, and I think I'll shoot myself in this foot.

If you want, I'll make an exception & work up an MLTL for the 6.5 based on what specs they give, but how the reality would match up I wouldn't like to say.

 

[Tripmaster]

Honest opinion is what we all try to give. The above is only my take on it remember. Other people will have different views.

HA really are their own worst enemy, as has been remarked upon here & elsewhere many times. Supply is often questionable, customer care pitiful, judging by Dave's experience, what specs. they provide are difficult to swallow without gagging, and they have a bunch of cabinets on their website that have supposedly been 'coming soon' for about 18 months (i.e. they don't exist). Hmm. I have a .45, and I think I'll shoot myself in this foot.

If you want, I'll make an exception & work up an MLTL for the 6.5 based on what specs they give, but how the reality would match up I wouldn't like to say.

Scott that's very kind of you, but don't waste you time...not for £60! Its hard enough making a decision buying blind, or do I mean deaf. I will stick to a tried and tested formula, and if I have any problems there are likely to be numerous suggestions!

 

[Tripmaster]

Scott

Do you have any other speaker cabinet suggestions for either a 6.5 or 8" driver?

I don't want to build anything larger than the half chilli

Thanks

Richard

 

[chrisb]

Scott

Do you have any other speaker cabinet suggestions for either a 6.5 or 8" driver?

I don't want to build anything larger than the half chilli

Thanks

Richard

context? i.e. any particular 6.5 or 8" driver, (presumably one with real-world availability and confirmed T/S parameters), room requirements, etc?

If you're considering the half-chilli, I can tell you that Dave's Fonken167 design is an excellent performer. It's approximately the same footprint as the half-chilli, and has very high WAF, although much higher build complexity.

 

[Tripmaster]

Hi Chris

I really don't have a preference to brand, but as Fostex are so popular it makes sense to stick with the trend for my first build.

I have attached a picture of my listening area along with a plan.

I hope this helps

Richard

 

[Tripmaster]

Plan

 

[chrisb]

Richard, unless you can relocate furniture or speaker placement, I'd imagine than the the half-chilli design would have some performance issues with the left side's vent firing directly into the sofa.

(the placement of speakers in photo doesn't exactly match the floor plan)


FWIW, the slot ports on the beveled sides of of the Fonken167 design are high enough to probably clear the sofa.

I'm prodding Dave to get the in-room photos of those posted on his site gallery, or at least in this thread.

 

[Scottmoose]

Good point. Sounds favourite to me.

 

[planet10]

.

 

[chrisb]

Post #15 above is the aforementioned Fonken167 enclosure. Finished height (depending on base plinth) is almost exactly 1meter.

 

[Tripmaster]

They are very nice! But maybe a little bit complicated for my first build.

I definitely fancy a floor stander, as I have only ever had stand mounted speakers...any other suggestions? Sorry to be a pain!


🙂

 

[AdamThorne]

I've got my FE167E's in metronomes. Very pleasing, but I'm looking to downsize the cabinet. I've added an active sub, so I'm willing to sacrifice some bass depth.

I'm eyeing the Fonken167 (tho a build opportunity probably won't come until next summer), but haven't seen much beyond mentions of it in some random threads.

Can you point me toward more Fonken167 info, and/or suggest a competing box? (I listened to a b-20 half-chang, but didn't like it in my room)

EDIT: the above pic showed while I was composing... I saw that in another thread, but is there more info about?

 

[chrisb]

Richard - having built at least a dozen pairs of the stand-mounted Fonkens (FE127), as well as several floor-standers by both Dave and Scott, I can agree that the Fonken is not the easiest build.

Brynn is the Chang family member for FE127, and is a fairly simple build. I'm running a pair with the HA FR4.5, and my sister has a pair with FE127. While each driver has its own sonic merits, the major advantage of the Fostex is that you can actually buy them.

If you're able to slightly juggle the placement to allow the front vent of the larger sibling Chilli to clear the sofa on the left side, you'd likely be very happy with the results.

 

[chrisb]

I've got my FE167E's in metronomes. Very pleasing, but I'm looking to downsize the cabinet. I've added an active sub, so I'm willing to sacrifice some bass depth.

I'm eyeing the Fonken167 (tho a build opportunity probably won't come until next summer), but haven't seen much beyond mentions of it in some random threads.

Can you point me toward more Fonken167 info, and/or suggest a competing box? (I listened to a b-20 half-chang, but didn't like it in my room)

EDIT: the above pic showed while I was composing... I saw that in another thread, but is there more info about?

One of the items on Dave's multi-tasking list is another revision to the plans library page specific to the Fonken clan. You could PM him directly for further information - hopefully an inundation of requests would spur him on the completing the site upgrade.