I'm building the F5m amp and am starting to look at what speakers I should buy. I realize this is a huge rabbit hole but are there 'go to' speakers recommended for someone who is starting out with Class-A amp audio? I'm thinking a 'retail chain' pair of bi-amp Klipsh ( under $2000 a pair ) would be more than I will need but want to do a bit of shopping to see if there are others I should look at. I want some type of floor speaker ( not shelf ), and have looked at the MonkeyCoffin DIY build which I am considering as well.
I know for studio monitors, there are 'goto' suggestions like the yamahas or mackies and am wondering if there are similar safe-bet recommendations for speakers.
I know for studio monitors, there are 'goto' suggestions like the yamahas or mackies and am wondering if there are similar safe-bet recommendations for speakers.
Oops... just goes to show how little I know about speakers. Yes, I want to buy or build 2 way speakers. Which forum is best for this topic? ( none of the options seem to be relevant for 2-way speakers )
Primarily the amp and speakers will be for my analog synths, but also buying a pro-ject turntable and bought a few vinyl records recently. ( kraftweks, rush, genesis etc. ) so that type of audio if it helps any choosing speakers 🙂
Primarily the amp and speakers will be for my analog synths, but also buying a pro-ject turntable and bought a few vinyl records recently. ( kraftweks, rush, genesis etc. ) so that type of audio if it helps any choosing speakers 🙂
It's about 35w says the article about that amp, so idealy you need a +90dB sensitive speaker. An Econowave could be good, or a (Mezzo) Calpamos if you want a ready kit. But you need quiet sensitive speakers to go loud with a low power amp like the F5m. The typical small woofer sllm floorstander won't do that, they need more power and a more modern high damping amplifier as the driver are mostly in the 80 to 90dB range concerning sensivity.
Kiplish is not that good, they are very bright tuned, I would more go for big JBL speakers or something similar. Those designs i mention are very similar to that on design. A big (10 to 15") sensitive woofer crossed passive to a compression driver in horn at 700 to 1500Hz would be what i would build if i had such an amplifer to use. Or use the amp only for the tweeter and use a different (more powerfull) amp for the woofer with active (dsp) crossover. Then sensivity is less important as long as the amp of the woofer is powerfull enough to drive the woofer to 102dB without going into distortion.
Kiplish is not that good, they are very bright tuned, I would more go for big JBL speakers or something similar. Those designs i mention are very similar to that on design. A big (10 to 15") sensitive woofer crossed passive to a compression driver in horn at 700 to 1500Hz would be what i would build if i had such an amplifer to use. Or use the amp only for the tweeter and use a different (more powerfull) amp for the woofer with active (dsp) crossover. Then sensivity is less important as long as the amp of the woofer is powerfull enough to drive the woofer to 102dB without going into distortion.
Check out Tekton speakers, They are perfect for your situation.
Have used their Double Impacts for 5 years and wouldn't listen to anything else with my Aleph 30 amps. They're the real deal.
roboDNA,
The OSMC (Open Source Monkey Coffin) is a good choice.
You can also look at Joe Rasmussen's Elsinore and the Uluwatu by Curt Campbell.
The OSMC (Open Source Monkey Coffin) is a good choice.
You can also look at Joe Rasmussen's Elsinore and the Uluwatu by Curt Campbell.
Just don’t post an adverse review on YouTube otherwise the owner will likely sue you . . .
RoboADN
If you plan to build them yourself, consider reading this. I have the ones you can see in my avatar powered by a "only" 32 Watt amplifier in triode mode and the performance is splendid, both in dynamic range and fidelity.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/DTQWT-mkIII.htm
If you plan to build them yourself, consider reading this. I have the ones you can see in my avatar powered by a "only" 32 Watt amplifier in triode mode and the performance is splendid, both in dynamic range and fidelity.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/DTQWT-mkIII.htm
@Studley: Moreso than most speaker people, Eric Alexander generates strong feelings. He has a brilliant mind and feels very strongly about his designs and quality. For these and other reasons, he garners more negative reactions than any other speaker person I am aware of. Yes, I know he has threatened lawsuits but I also know he has taken some truly cheap shots. Many speaker people feel threatened by the quality level he achieves at modest price points.
But here's the bottom line: his speakers have more value than anyone else. Period. And in the $10k range his high-end designs are comparable to mainstream speakers costing $30k and up.
SO, if you can ignore the bad press and assess the value you will be delighted with Tekton's speakers.
But here's the bottom line: his speakers have more value than anyone else. Period. And in the $10k range his high-end designs are comparable to mainstream speakers costing $30k and up.
SO, if you can ignore the bad press and assess the value you will be delighted with Tekton's speakers.
Attacking someone like Erin who is clearly a man of integrity is inexcusable in my book.
@roboDNA : If you look on neutral websites discussing Tekton speakers you will find a large number of fans of the Lore speaker line. Have not heard them myself. Tekton allows returns but it is a hassle because of the weight. Make sure you order a standard soft gloss black speaker if you think a return is possible; custom colors are not allowed to be returned.
BTW one of the main reasons Tekton has become a popular speaker line is because they are highly efficient. When you get above 95dB in speaker efficiency, the speaker opens up a lot of amp possibilities. I run a line of amps in my stereo setup that includes 300B tubes (8 watts per channel), pure Class A (10 watts), SEPP (Aleph at 37 watts) and A/B (Emotiva XPA1 at 1000 watts). The Double Impacts sound great with all of these amp types.
BTW one of the main reasons Tekton has become a popular speaker line is because they are highly efficient. When you get above 95dB in speaker efficiency, the speaker opens up a lot of amp possibilities. I run a line of amps in my stereo setup that includes 300B tubes (8 watts per channel), pure Class A (10 watts), SEPP (Aleph at 37 watts) and A/B (Emotiva XPA1 at 1000 watts). The Double Impacts sound great with all of these amp types.
I found speakers that produce 101 db 1w1m or later 98 db 1w1m. They were commercial, 15" woofers and 1" compression driver. Sound amazing on piano and tinkly bells which are come of the most difficult instruments to reproduce. Also plenty of bass, +- 3 db 54 hz 17.5 khz. The first pair were Peavey SP2-XT from the 90's, which I paid $600 the pair used. Those were stolen, now replaced by Peavey SP2(2004). The latter are 98 db, and I only paid $400 for the pair but had to drive 300 miles round trip to get them. The latter has a harmonic distortion chart in the datasheet, -25 db 2nd & 3rd harmonic 60 hz to 12 khz at 5 w.
The sensitivity means I can listen them usually at 1 Vav, which is 1.4 Vpp, which since they are 8 ohms, means 1/8 watt. Which would be perfect for a lightweight class A amp.
As the first pair were stolen, I became aware they have significant pawnshop value. They are visible through my window from the street. So I am building a pair of ugly replacements that will be worth only the pawnshop value of the woofers - about $60 for any 15" woofer. I'm using Eminence Deltapro-15A and Eminence N314T-8 with H14-EA horns.
JBL mentioned above post #5 are similar design and perhaps sensitivity, but I have never found any on craigslist or ebay closer than 1000 miles and those required purchase of a lot of 8 with JBL subs for $6000. JBL 4367 and M1 are desirable models from the Pro line.
Build it yourself 2 ways include econowave https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/econowave-style-15.400662/ and asathor https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/367215-asathor-jbl-4367-clone.html?highlight=asathor but I do not know what kind of sensitivity they have. Asathor does not go as low as the SP2 I believe.
I have them installed on stands above an organ focussed on my couch, and produce similar response anywhere in my 14'w x 11' tall x 33' long room. The tweeters are about 8' high and project down at the audience's head. With the speaker backs to a 1" thick plaster wall, the bass is boosted +3 db at 25-50 hz, and I feel no need to run a subwoofer with a 3rd amp channel. I do listen to pipe organ and grand piano tracks, which can go to 26 hz.
The sensitivity means I can listen them usually at 1 Vav, which is 1.4 Vpp, which since they are 8 ohms, means 1/8 watt. Which would be perfect for a lightweight class A amp.
As the first pair were stolen, I became aware they have significant pawnshop value. They are visible through my window from the street. So I am building a pair of ugly replacements that will be worth only the pawnshop value of the woofers - about $60 for any 15" woofer. I'm using Eminence Deltapro-15A and Eminence N314T-8 with H14-EA horns.
JBL mentioned above post #5 are similar design and perhaps sensitivity, but I have never found any on craigslist or ebay closer than 1000 miles and those required purchase of a lot of 8 with JBL subs for $6000. JBL 4367 and M1 are desirable models from the Pro line.
Build it yourself 2 ways include econowave https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/econowave-style-15.400662/ and asathor https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/367215-asathor-jbl-4367-clone.html?highlight=asathor but I do not know what kind of sensitivity they have. Asathor does not go as low as the SP2 I believe.
I have them installed on stands above an organ focussed on my couch, and produce similar response anywhere in my 14'w x 11' tall x 33' long room. The tweeters are about 8' high and project down at the audience's head. With the speaker backs to a 1" thick plaster wall, the bass is boosted +3 db at 25-50 hz, and I feel no need to run a subwoofer with a 3rd amp channel. I do listen to pipe organ and grand piano tracks, which can go to 26 hz.
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I was put of by the BS Tekton owner did a while back… nowadays I really don’t care. Tekton really does have a lot of value/no frills. For me a perfect set 15 would be killer.
isn't the F5m a current driven amp by Mr. Pass?
If yes I would use a fullrange like the 12 inch Fane Sovereign
there is a thread on it
https://www.fane-international.com/view-product/SOVEREIGN-12-250TC
If yes I would use a fullrange like the 12 inch Fane Sovereign
there is a thread on it
https://www.fane-international.com/view-product/SOVEREIGN-12-250TC
Tekton is popular, but does not measure good at all. That's why the owner became mad and started to sue a lot of people to take down those measurements. Amir at ASR did not bow for the treats and still keeps it online:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/tekton-m-lore-speaker-review.48732/
It does not measure right (but not an absolute disaster neigher), but due to the actions of the owner i would never consider the speakers at all. They are in my eyes overpriced junk. Then you're still better of with the Kiplish I think, those are aasy to eq to good neutral sound if you want. Tekton not. I would rather recommend something like a JBL Studio 590 in the pricerange under 2K for new speakers. That would be a lot better than Tekton or Kiplish, much more neutral and controlled in sound, and easy enough to drive for your amp.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/tekton-m-lore-speaker-review.48732/
It does not measure right (but not an absolute disaster neigher), but due to the actions of the owner i would never consider the speakers at all. They are in my eyes overpriced junk. Then you're still better of with the Kiplish I think, those are aasy to eq to good neutral sound if you want. Tekton not. I would rather recommend something like a JBL Studio 590 in the pricerange under 2K for new speakers. That would be a lot better than Tekton or Kiplish, much more neutral and controlled in sound, and easy enough to drive for your amp.
Yes, with a 40 DF, so for an 8 ohm load it has a 5 ohm output impedance that yields a 'smiley face' EQ, so in choosing a driver we want to sim with a 5 ohm series resistance (or whatever the load is divided into 40), which isn't technically correct, but best we can do with simple box programs.
+1 since they typically have a 'frowning face' response.