Terry Cain's BIB -why does it work and does anyone have those Fostex Craft Handbooks?

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#2,643
My friend Simon still has his FF225K BIBs I built for him 15 months back. He's a happy man. Even in a short 140in path (his wife drew the line at the 90in tall originals) they aren't exactly what you'd call 'thin sounding.' Haven't heard the 125 yet, but it looks a really nice little unit. Probably not up to the FX120 or F120a, but for the price it's probably well worth looking into. Wonder how they'd do in a Frugalhorn? I'll have to run a sim on that at some point.
 
#2,644
>>> It is enough to make me wonder what the FF225K is like.

Me too… and the 125k, as mentioned. Perhaps there hasn’t been much talk about the FF series because these drivers don’t ‘look’ the part compared to their wizzered brothers and sisters. Fostex drivers with wizzers look more like expensive Lowthers (drivers many of us would love to own but cannot afford). Also, Fostex doesn’t provide as much information for recommended enclosures for the FF’s. Other than simple BR enclosures Fostex doesn’t offer as many creative cabinet recommendations.

http://www.zillaspeak.com/FostexReflexCabsFX.asp

Clearly, the FX line is the more expensive sibling of the FF just like the Sigma line is the more expensive version of the FE. So all of these drivers have something to offer in terms of sonic advantages. In fact, the FX line up with alcino magnets is their most expensive full range offering.

Since Scott and GM delved so deeply into BIB territory and figured out easy to build boxes for low Qts drivers, the FF series have wonderful cabinets to be partnered with. The 165k from the midrange up is outstanding. In a BIB the bass is also outstanding. The overall sound is balanced, effortless, clean and full without nasty crossover artifacts.

Since many of us have begun to use the FF line up with excellent results, I’m sure we will begin to see more adopt these lovely drivers into their homes.
 
#2,645
Agreed. Mine have had a couple days more of fairly heavy lifting on them, and the coherency and overall balance is exceptional. These are turning into really, REALLY nice speakers. The bass easily passes the Flecktones test. Victor Wooten would approve. Nuff said there. The ne plus ultra bonus is the fact that flea amps can drive the daylights outta the 165K BIB. Analogue synth sounds as good as I have EVER heard it, attack transients on Rickenbacker bass are just outstanding, again massed strings Mmmmm, very very nice indeed. True full range hornspeakers here.
 
#2,646
Credit where credit is due: it was Terry Cain who put us onto the 165 in the BIB actually. I think I was probably the first in the west to try it, other than TC. I was thinking of Sigs, but the money was a stretch, heard a whisper from Dan, and TC stepped in to suggest it in a PM. He'd already found the FF worked well in his nearfield, and then the Super Abby, despite the limited excursion, so knocked up a quick set of test BIBs (ever get the feeling his quick test pair would be considered works of art by the rest of us?), on the basis that this cabinet with it's high Vb and 1/2 wavelength tuning would exploit their low Fs, boost sensitivity and demand less excursion. Or so I gather. It's sad that he didn't see the wider adoption and acceptance of the range, but it's one last little gift to the audio community from a man who was a real enthusiast, and a great instinctive designer who had far more science in his approach than he ever openly admitted or took credit for. The world's a poorer place for his passing, but his legacy is a lesson to all of us -creativity, imagination and art should go hand in hand with science if we want great sound. Developments in the latter are almost invariably driven by the former. What else is an inspiration?
 
#2,650
😀

Briefly shifting ground -the subject of the Eminence Beta 12 was raised over on the FR forum a day or so back, and Greg refered to the thread where we both did monster BIBs, which should in many ways kill an MLTL for that unit. They're not small though. But they inspire one, if you know what I mean...

I like 'em big (speakers I hasten to add, rather than the female of the species: give me Sherilyn Fenn, Gwen Stefani, PJ Harvey, Karen Hardy etc., any day. 😉 ) Big speakers should be better than small speakers. So if anyone's feeling insane, here's a nice big box for the Audio Nirvana Super 12. Has to be good for something, right? Line = 192in for a 96in tall cabinet (I know, I know, it won't be quite there due to the curve, but a few inches on this monster won't be particularly significant), 41.75in, Sl=825in^2. 24in wide, 34in deep, internal. Might be worth shortening to push the dip out of the 60 - 80Hz zone, but that region is usually tickled up in recordings anyway, so if anything it should compensate.

Yours with insanity
Scott
 

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#2,653
Excellent. Specs look like it's pretty much a drop-in replacement for the 126, so hopefully only tweaking needed.

Peter -I'd expect them to be pretty solid to ~the 18Hz mark you mention. In-room F10 will probably be about 12Hz.

Bet Page & Plant's No Quarter would do well (v. fine version of Gallows Pole on that one. 😀 ).
 
#2,660
I have lots of similar foam.... so worth a try...

I guess you could build a "cotton candy cone on a stick too.... and when we do do an iBIB it will likely have a holey brace suitable for attaching tuff to.

dave

PS: moray your last email is on my portaDrive & it hasn't popped to the top of the queue yet.
 
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