Mini Karlsonator (0.53X) with Dual TC9FDs

[sthcoaster]

X do you use a BSC with the PA130-8?
Thinking of treating myself a pair for Xmas would get parts for BSC at the same time.
Thanks

For 0.53x scale, my favorite is PA130-8, but if you want more highs, the dual 3FE25-16 is excellent. The dual TC9FD will have a bit more bass than the 3FE25.

I think the Karlsonator sounds more refined. The XKi sounds more punchy and is more of a compact cabinet.

I think the DMA 90-8 can work well. It has a nice moderate Qts and I would suspect would work well in a single 0.40x or dual in 0.53x for 4ohm nominal at 91dB at 2.83v.

 

[xrk971]

I have not but it’s fairly inexpensive. Just order the ~$5 1mH 18ga iron core inductor from Dayton along with several resistors: 6.8ohm, 4.7ohm, 3.3ohm and see what suits you. It will increase the relative bass. I would guess having a 4.7ohm and 1mH might improve the bass. But some people like more treble. It’s all matter of taste and placement away or close to a back wall.

 

[zallou3]

For 0.53x scale, my favorite is PA130-8, but if you want more highs, the dual 3FE25-16 is excellent. The dual TC9FD will have a bit more bass than the 3FE25.

I think the Karlsonator sounds more refined. The XKi sounds more punchy and is more of a compact cabinet.

I think the DMA 90-8 can work well. It has a nice moderate Qts and I would suspect would work well in a single 0.40x or dual in 0.53x for 4ohm nominal at 91dB at 2.83v.

Looking at the measurements and simulations of the xki and the .53x dual t9cfd and single PA130-8, the xki and tc9fd and good down to 50 hz or so, and the PA130-8 in the .53x karlsanator drops down very fast below 60hz
is there something i'm missing here? i thought the PA 130-8 is supposed to dig deeper than the dual TC9FD's ..

 

[xrk971]

The PA130-8 has good bass but because the TC9FD has a higher Qts, it can resonate below its Fs easier (weaker motor). The PA130-8 has a more powerful motor and stiffer suspension for higher sensitivity and pro audio mid range drivers typically don’t go so deep. It depends on the simulation results based on the geometry.

 

[von Ah]

Overnight gluing!

Four months later, I’ve glued my second Karlsonator with Audax 13LB25AL together.

I used low voc clear silicone caulk, in case I made mistakes… Which I did.

Mini Karlsonator (0.53X) with Dual TC9FDs

Looking forward to finally hearing these in stereo tomorrow.

Thanks again to XRK for the design, modeling, and support!

 

[von Ah]

I couldn’t wait. It was cured enough.

They sound really good… Possibly a smidge bass shy (understandably), but the mids and highs are very nice.

I’ll try to get some rudimentary REW measurements tomorrow.

I’m thinking these may do very well mounted in the ceiling corners of my dining room, turned upside down…

 

[IG81]

Nice work von Ah!

I was eyeing these Audax drivers the other day, they seem pretty interesting. What is your opinion of them and did you listen in other configuration than the FC Karlsonators?

 

[Mitch311]

Got some drivers on the way (w5-2143 and tc9) to play with.
In the mean time I wanted to see from a best guess what size 2x these would work in? I tried looking through the thread for things with lower qts, but there isn’t “a lot” of info really.

Just a guess as I know the simulations aren’t coming any time soon.
I know qts is fairly low at 0.6. Just gives me something to play with while I wait for the “good” drivers! Alternatively. Does this look like any of the other speakers anyone can remember from this thread? Finding matching drivers is pretty hard lol

Thanks!

 

[xrk971]

Nice work VonAh! Sometimes I listen to a speaker while it’s being clamped by a stack of books and glue still dripping wet.

Hi Mitch,
That looks like 3in Tang Band with fairly powerful motor. Two in parallel with a scaled depth and height 0.53x and width scale of 0.44x is my guess. It would probably work fine in 0.53x all around and that lets you install TC9 when they come in.

 

[von Ah]

Thanks IG and X!

What is your opinion of them and did you listen in other configuration than the FC Karlsonators?

I haven’t used them in anything else. However I think they sound very very good. Quite sensitive. In this alignment they are great on axis full range, noting bass limitations. High frequencies fall off pretty quickly off-axis. On-axis in this sense means perpendicular to the internal slanted baffle in the k’nator. Up off the floor, the phase plug points over my head when I’m sitting down, and the highs suffer.
Nearfield there is not much to complain about. Bass is more articulate up close.

I have only one subwoofer (based on a Foster WF-100K plate amp) that I haven’t powered on in several years. Lightbulb went off that I could add it here for fun. Wow, does it integrate well.

If these drivers would model well for transmission line (I’m not up to speed on that skill), I think they may be well suited for a large TABAQ-like box or an FH3-XL.

 

[zallou3]

The PA130-8 has good bass but because the TC9FD has a higher Qts, it can resonate below its Fs easier (weaker motor). The PA130-8 has a more powerful motor and stiffer suspension for higher sensitivity and pro audio mid range drivers typically don’t go so deep. It depends on the simulation results based on the geometry.

Can we use 2 PA130-8 in the same enclosure? is there a bigger scale karlsonator for that?

i've tried searching and found Srednivashtar's wonderful dual PA130-8 XKi
, but the picture doesn't exist anymore and couldn't find any specs or measurements, will it extend lower? gain 6 db per doubling the SD and power?

 

[xrk971]

I would have to run a simulation for a dual PA130 Karlsonator. I can't at the moment as computer virtual machine for Akabak broke. The XKi with dual PA130-1 will be about 95dB at 2.83v and nominal 4ohms. Bass extension about 60Hz.

 

[Mitch311]

Nice work VonAh! Sometimes I listen to a speaker while it’s being clamped by a stack of books and glue still dripping wet.

Hi Mitch,
That looks like 3in Tang Band with fairly powerful motor. Two in parallel with a scaled depth and height 0.53x and width scale of 0.44x is my guess. It would probably work fine in 0.53x all around and that lets you install TC9 when they come in.

Thanks XRK. Exactly what I was hoping for and forgot to add to my post. I’ll get building

 

[freddi]

all I can do is upscale a tiny thumbnail

 

[von Ah]

Playing with some ALSA EQ in piCorePlayer gets these to sound pretty good without the sub.

I still want to place these in the ceiling corners and see if that will fill the room better.

 

[xrk971]

Nice work! The black turned out real nice and matches your amp.

 

[von Ah]

Thanks. There's good irony in using the most powerful amp I have (in WPC, in normal rotation; PA amps don't count) with my most sensitive speakers.

 

[IG81]

OTOH there is probably someone out there extoling the virtues of SET on an LS3/5a.

 

[Kokanee]

Sketch up experts,

I can navigate around the views that jhofland posted in the sketchup file. One question: is there a dimensions window that can be opened, or do I take the dimensions from the published pdf for the jhofland design.

Thanks,

MM

 

[xrk971]

With the new year this thread just reached 1M views. 🥳

Thanks to GregB for the original design and Freddi for his energy in supporting the revival of the Karlson. A big thanks to everyone who has given this speaker a chance and built it. Hope you are still enjoying your Karlsonator.