Pascal,
Beautiful renderings- I want to make them right away!!
From my inquiries, I agree that Solution 1 might be best with the FE204 but I also am more excited by solution 2.
I ordered the Basszilla plans from Dick Olsher, and this arrangement would work with the Basszilla. As you pointed out, the proportions would be a bit different for a true Basszilla because it uses a 15" woofer. So, the entire speaker would be taller because the bass cabinet would be about 50% taller.
Although a bit imposing, it would at least be smaller than most panel speakers!!
I think you are planning to use a 10 or 12" woofer with separate amp and active crossover. This is a good idea to make it smaller, and a solid state amp might be best for the woofer anyway!
The 15" is appealing though because it is so efficient (almost 100dB) that it can be driven by the same small amp as the rest of the speaker, Also the 15" recommended is a pro sound driver with limited excursion and low distortion-Very similar in concept to the Fostex 208 and 225, so I imagine they integrate soundwise very well. The recommended 15" drivers are about $280 each so I am tempted to use some 15" Eminence drivers Madisound has for $80 each, and stick with his passive crossover. They may be crap, but i'm too poor at the moment for the real thing! Even a very efficient pro 12" is seldom over 95 db efficient, so you would need to use an L-pad on your mid/tweets if you used one
For the mid, as mentioned in the Basszilla website, he uses a Fe208s If you are using this driver I have been told that the notch filter that Dick Olsher includes in his plans is a very good idea. Probably a good idea if you are making any speaker with the 208! The Basszilla doesn't use a tweeter.
I think Pascal and I have NOT gotten over our infatuation
with the FF225 so we will probably use it. Very few people seem to know much about it but a few have said that it sounds great.
Since we are planning to use tweeters, its high rolloff is no problem, and from the Fostex frequency response curve, it also doesn't seem to need the notch filter. Since it is an unknown, I have begun to imagine it as the greatest driver of all time!-the grass is greener syndrome.
I'm sure Pascal and I will keep you informed. It will be about a month though.
Mark