Hmm...I do like the simplicity of the Bloodhound box. I just really wish I could source the alpairs easier/cheaper. Having to place a separate order for the drivers runs up the material costs, and I'm already pushing the budget by going with the alpairs over some of the other less expensive options.
I assume the 5.2 and 5.3 versions both fit that box, and would be pretty similar in sound for my purposes?
I really have no need for big bass out of these speakers, since I have a 10" sub sitting under the desk. I just need them to be really clear, and loud enough to fill the space when I want to crank it up now and then. My office is roughly 14'x16', but my deck is in one corner, and the speakers will be facing "inwards", towards the corner, if that makes any sense. I can draw a sketch if that would help any.
Thanks Dave, that clears it up a lot.
Sounds (ha!) like I need to stick with the A5.3s if I can swing it. 🙄
I sure wish they sold MarkAudio at Parts Express.
If I just can't work out the financials on the alpairs, what would your 2nd choice be, from something available from P-E?
At this point, I'm leaning strongly towards either one of the Wodens (all pretty similar) or the uMar-Ken5.2/uFonken, depending on which driver I end up with. Unless of course your 2nd choice driver doesn't work with any of those enclosures, then I'll need an enclosure suggestion also. 😉
And I thought I was so close to done... 😀
You can get Markaudio drivers at Madisound. I have ordered from them with no problems whatsoever.
I know, but by the time I add shipping, it puts me enough over budget that I need to reconsider. That's why I asked for a 2nd driver choice that might be available from Parts Express, since I can order all my small bits from them also and get free shipping to keep costs reasonable.
If I can keep this project under control financially, the chances are higher I'll be able to expand it to do more later.
EDIT: For example, a pair of A5.3s from Madisound will run me ~$108 shipped.
For about $20 more, I can get a pair of these A6Ms. Would these be a significant upgrade or not really? I realize they would require a larger enclosure.
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If you don't go with a MarkAudio or Fostex driver, you can get the Aura NS3 at Parts Express and build the Baby Lab Red Eye.
NS3 - Parts Express Ships Fast and Ships Free.
NS3 - Parts Express Ships Fast and Ships Free.
Certainly an option. I like the price for sure. Would that be a serious compromise, performance-wise, over the A5.3?
If you want maximum realistic detail retrieval, the Alpair 5.3 is as good as you are going to get in a full range driver for any price. You get what you pay for. The spiderless Alpairs are cutting edge drivers.
It's tough to say. Those Aura drivers are very popular. Dave might be able to provide some insight.
Given a choice, I'd go with the MarkAudio drivers. However, budget is always a factor, so we have to go by what the budget dictates. If you can swing the MarkAudio drivers, even if it means waiting a little while, I'd go with them. But again, if your budget dictates the Aura drivers, then so be it.
Mike
Given a choice, I'd go with the MarkAudio drivers. However, budget is always a factor, so we have to go by what the budget dictates. If you can swing the MarkAudio drivers, even if it means waiting a little while, I'd go with them. But again, if your budget dictates the Aura drivers, then so be it.
Mike
I buy as little as i can from them. I had to get the Faital 3F22 from them, had them ship them to Madisound and had them, and my Madisound order from there.
The Faitals went into the flat-paks i had around for the uMar-KenPlus for the A5.2, can’t recall how much i had to change the tuning but the volume was bang on. I have had enuff interest that i might do a µFai-Ken set of plans. Scott hasn’t yet done a BabyLab for the Faital, but i expect it would be somewhere close to Lance or Bloodhound.
dave
A6.2m reach a little lower than the A5.2/3 and sound very similar, but do not have quite the finesse of the smaller driver, it being a (couple) generations newer and with monoSuspension. Every generation of MAs have been improvements (mostly), the move from Gen 1 to Gen 2 the biggest.
dave
The NS3s are a decent driver, but a notch down in performance from the FF85, A5.2/3, 3F22. Except for their bass potential. I put mine (i still am sititng on 3 pair) in a smallish sealed box.
They are cheaper than all those options, but well up from the TC9-like price i paid.
dave
They are cheaper than all those options, but well up from the TC9-like price i paid.
dave
Well, I've never ordered anything from either P-E or Madisound, but I'm spoiled by Amazon for free shipping I guess. lol
I just like getting all my parts from one place, and it seemed that P-E had a better selection of small stuff like terminals and stuffing and such. I didn't look all that hard, to be honest. I'll give Madisound another gander.
So am I understanding you correctly Dave that your 2nd choice after the A5.3s would be the Faital 3F22s? Thanks again for the detailed replies, I'm learning a ton here! 🙂
EDIT: I see that there are multiple versions of the 3FE22, in 4/8/16 ohm - which do I want and how do I know?
There's also a cheaper 'ferrite' version of it called the 3FE25. Difference? I assume not as good, but in what way(s)?
I just like getting all my parts from one place, and it seemed that P-E had a better selection of small stuff like terminals and stuffing and such. I didn't look all that hard, to be honest. I'll give Madisound another gander.
So am I understanding you correctly Dave that your 2nd choice after the A5.3s would be the Faital 3F22s? Thanks again for the detailed replies, I'm learning a ton here! 🙂
EDIT: I see that there are multiple versions of the 3FE22, in 4/8/16 ohm - which do I want and how do I know?
There's also a cheaper 'ferrite' version of it called the 3FE25. Difference? I assume not as good, but in what way(s)?
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The shipping isn’t really free. I avoid Amazon as much as i can, the experiences i have had have not been positive, and they do not treat their sellers well.
dave
dave
No, my 3rd choice.
The 16Ω ones are the ones i got, the measured data looks the niceest, how that translates into real world performanc ei have not had the experience to be able to speak to that.
Also something i cannot speak too directly. The much larger magnet certainly does not provide nearly as smooth am exit path from the backside of the driver and likely causes a greater level of early reflection and time smear.
dave
What's your 2nd choice then? Did I miss that somewhere?
Do I need to be concerned about ohm-matching to my amp or other speakers, or is that not a big deal?
So I went back to the beginning and reread this whole (amazing) thread. It seems like I need to quit whining and pull the trigger on a pair of MarkAudio alpair 5.3s from Madisound.
I'll most likely build these into Woden Bloodhound enclosures, due to the size and simplicity, in 1/2" maple plywood, unless there's a better alternative?
Here's my shopping list so far, please let me know if I'm missing anything:
2x MA A5.3 drivers $96
2x terminal cups $5
1x 1/2" 2'x4' maple plywood $24
Do I need to be adding resistors/crossover/etc...?
What about damping/stuffing?
EDIT: Here's a quick layout I did to make sure it would fit on a 2'x4' sheet of ply. It does. 🙂
I'll most likely build these into Woden Bloodhound enclosures, due to the size and simplicity, in 1/2" maple plywood, unless there's a better alternative?
Here's my shopping list so far, please let me know if I'm missing anything:
2x MA A5.3 drivers $96
2x terminal cups $5
1x 1/2" 2'x4' maple plywood $24
Do I need to be adding resistors/crossover/etc...?
What about damping/stuffing?
EDIT: Here's a quick layout I did to make sure it would fit on a 2'x4' sheet of ply. It does. 🙂
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FF85wk
Only if the impedance is really low. Typically 16Ω makes the amps job easier.
There are some amps where it may be an issue, the one that immediately comes to mind are Class D amps with output Zobels tuned to a particular load impedance.
dave
Madisound doesn’t have any terminal cups i would choose to use, but the ones you have linked are OK for cheap and at least as good as any at PE (barring big buck ones).
The key feature one is looking for in quality plywood is the number of plies. Looks like your pick has 5-plies, it will do but you can definitly go better. TYpical Baltic Birch 12mm has 9 plies, the Murphy Ply we used in the end, 11. THis maple ply is considerably less costly thou than a sheet of BB and you are on a budget. Better than MDF i expect thou.
dave
The key feature one is looking for in quality plywood is the number of plies. Looks like your pick has 5-plies, it will do but you can definitly go better. TYpical Baltic Birch 12mm has 9 plies, the Murphy Ply we used in the end, 11. THis maple ply is considerably less costly thou than a sheet of BB and you are on a budget. Better than MDF i expect thou.
dave
Ok thanks. So does that list look complete, or am I missing items?
The description for the plywood says 7-ply, which is the highest I can find locally. I'm doing to check with a cabinet shop I know to see if they have anything better.
Would solid wood be preferable or no? He made my kitchen cabinets, so I know he has Oak, for example.
Should I skip those terminal cups and try to find something better from somewhere else? How much of a difference am I likely to notice, considering that my ears are completely untrained? If there's a tangible difference, I'll spring for better quality, within reason.
The description for the plywood says 7-ply, which is the highest I can find locally. I'm doing to check with a cabinet shop I know to see if they have anything better.
Would solid wood be preferable or no? He made my kitchen cabinets, so I know he has Oak, for example.
Should I skip those terminal cups and try to find something better from somewhere else? How much of a difference am I likely to notice, considering that my ears are completely untrained? If there's a tangible difference, I'll spring for better quality, within reason.