Trying to pick one of the following as my next project. I currently have a Pioneer home theater receiver that I'm using in 2 channel mode. I like the sound of it but would like to upgrade to a classic NAD 1320 or the Sonic Impact t-amp or Super t-amp.
The drivers that I'm interested in are :
1. Tang Band 1320sb
2. Fostex 127e
3. CSS FR125s
4. Fostex fe167e
Are the FR125s and the fe167e worth the extra cost? What's the best all around driver, the one that you wouldn't feel a need to upgrade from, of the 4 listed above?
The drivers that I'm interested in are :
1. Tang Band 1320sb
2. Fostex 127e
3. CSS FR125s
4. Fostex fe167e
Are the FR125s and the fe167e worth the extra cost? What's the best all around driver, the one that you wouldn't feel a need to upgrade from, of the 4 listed above?
type,
Good drivers to choose from. What is your room size? Do you have a subwoofer? I'm guessing shielding is important? Will this be for HT or stereo? How are your construction skills?
Josh
Good drivers to choose from. What is your room size? Do you have a subwoofer? I'm guessing shielding is important? Will this be for HT or stereo? How are your construction skills?
Josh
The room is 12x12, I have a sub, and i have a local lumber place that cuts the wood for me. This will be mainly a music system so I'm not too concerned with sheilding but all the drivers I'm looking at are sheilded anyway.
Personally i have become more fond of high efficent drivers. So the FR125 isn't quite efficient enough, especially for the SI amplifiers. If you can I would recomend building horns 😀 . Ron's designs and the new designs on diyaudio would be great ti try. I myself built the Frugel-Horns. They are pretty outstanding. If you are willing to spend a bit more money on FE108EZ, you could try ron's new H108 design. I recently read the thread in the fullrange forum and found them very interesting. If you are not so into building BLH all of the drivers you mentioned are good in bass reflex enclosures. I myself have the FE127 and have built MLTLs for it and BLHs for it. I also have a pair of WR125s (before the FR125 were available). Between the two drivers i prefer the sound of the FE127, which i prefer in the BLHs.
You can't go wrong with any of the drivers you have mentions. You have lots and lots of possible enclosure for the FE127 and the FR125. The TB will fit in the FR125 enclosures, while the FE167 has less designs out there. The FE167 is great in bass reflex and an MLTL could be designed as well. The FE167 is a great driver and has great potential. Good low end and good high frequency extension.
Josh
You can't go wrong with any of the drivers you have mentions. You have lots and lots of possible enclosure for the FE127 and the FR125. The TB will fit in the FR125 enclosures, while the FE167 has less designs out there. The FE167 is great in bass reflex and an MLTL could be designed as well. The FE167 is a great driver and has great potential. Good low end and good high frequency extension.
Josh
We’ve come a long way from the Hawaii or Straight Pipe cabinet for the RS 1354 or the Folded Voigt Pipe for the RS 1197 from just a few years ago! Fostex recommended enclosures are just that, recommendations!
Today we have many great choices for many different drivers. Fostex is always a smart choice and TB makes so many great drivers to choose from. CSS, Jordan, Lowther, etc are additional options that offer amazing sound.
Drivers that were available years ago now have intelligently designed cabinets including Open Baffle, Pipes that are straight or folded, MLTLs, BIBs, Sealed, Ported, Slotted, Back and Front horns, and hybrids. They all have something to offer and none are wrong.
Of your choices, all have their merits. Personally, I would choose either the Fostex 167e or 127e but neither one of those offer perfect sound. The TB has a totally different but equally likeable sound (as does the CSS I’m sure tho I’ve never heard it before).
As for buying something you may not feel the need to upgrade in the future, there’s no such thing. Of the drivers you listed there are many great upgrade choices! Best you could do is choose a price point, make a decision and enjoy what you’ve purchased until you feel the desire (if ever) and have the funds and the time to build another project.
Even if you purchased Jordan’s, one day you may want a Fostex special edition of some kind… and then you may want Lowther’s… and then you may want Supravox… and then you may want vintage Altec’s… and the loop continues forever and always.
Peace,
Godzilla
Today we have many great choices for many different drivers. Fostex is always a smart choice and TB makes so many great drivers to choose from. CSS, Jordan, Lowther, etc are additional options that offer amazing sound.
Drivers that were available years ago now have intelligently designed cabinets including Open Baffle, Pipes that are straight or folded, MLTLs, BIBs, Sealed, Ported, Slotted, Back and Front horns, and hybrids. They all have something to offer and none are wrong.
Of your choices, all have their merits. Personally, I would choose either the Fostex 167e or 127e but neither one of those offer perfect sound. The TB has a totally different but equally likeable sound (as does the CSS I’m sure tho I’ve never heard it before).
As for buying something you may not feel the need to upgrade in the future, there’s no such thing. Of the drivers you listed there are many great upgrade choices! Best you could do is choose a price point, make a decision and enjoy what you’ve purchased until you feel the desire (if ever) and have the funds and the time to build another project.
Even if you purchased Jordan’s, one day you may want a Fostex special edition of some kind… and then you may want Lowther’s… and then you may want Supravox… and then you may want vintage Altec’s… and the loop continues forever and always.
Peace,
Godzilla
I vote for the Fostex FE127 and a vintage NAD 3020 or even a tube integrated. Build smallish (13 litre) BR cabs for the FE127 and use the sub to fill in the low bass. Sweeeeeeeeeeet!
Jeff
Jeff
I vote for FE166E in Austin rev G backloaded horn:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
As you say you've got a sub, I'd go for a smaller driver, unless you're into rock. The Frugelhorn, or possibly my double horns using the FE108ESigma or the FE126E would be good. Or a Metronome or the new Tombstone with the FE127E Dave's come up with. Should exhibit superb wave-launch that one. Wide baffles are great.
One thing to be aware of re the NAD -it's damping factor will be higher than the t-amp, so you might need to add some series resistance to prevent the bass from vanishing with the lower Q FR drivers. Use single strands of 30AWG magnet wire as a cheap way of getting this back if you don't fancy adding a resistor in series with the driver.
One thing to be aware of re the NAD -it's damping factor will be higher than the t-amp, so you might need to add some series resistance to prevent the bass from vanishing with the lower Q FR drivers. Use single strands of 30AWG magnet wire as a cheap way of getting this back if you don't fancy adding a resistor in series with the driver.
Scottmoose said:
I don't think that I understand what you mean by using 30awg magnet wire. Do you mean use that to wire the cabinet?
Yup. Use it as speaker cable. I kid thee not. Useful trick with efficient drivers if you don't want to add a resistor but the driver is being over-damped.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.