speakers are easy.
so many inexpensive but decent opportunities these days.
so many inexpensive but decent opportunities these days.
DIY The DIY HE + SE Doorway System.....
- Thread starter TubeHiFiNut
- Start date
Do It Yourself
I was thinking more along the lines of rear-loaded Fostex horns or Econowaves (except the original JBL waveguides are getting hard to find). Maybe the Fostex Onkens?
I just haven't really done any speaker DIY, so it is more speaking from inexperience.
-D
I just haven't really done any speaker DIY, so it is more speaking from inexperience.
-D
Never stops me
Lots of nice looking rear loaded horns on the Madisound site.
A TangBand 1808 in the aforementioned JELabs OB should also sound quite nice.
A TangBand 1808 in the aforementioned JELabs OB should also sound quite nice.
If there was any way to audition, I'd want to add one of the Fostex based folded-horn kits to the consideration list; like the $520/pr BK-16 from Madisound.
These speakers intrigue the hell out of me because I've heard them on a few occasions over the years and they varied from "let me out of here!" to "can I fit these in the car for the ride home?" - sometimes on the same weekend, in the same room and system!
Best I ever heard them was at AKfest (at certain times that weekend) where they were fitted with a very sweet combination of Fostex drivers; the Fostex FF165K 6.5" playing full-range with a T90 super tweeter on a single cap. I doubt that combination is still available (especially at $850/pr all-in!) but damn could they ever sound good...sometimes.
These speakers intrigue the hell out of me because I've heard them on a few occasions over the years and they varied from "let me out of here!" to "can I fit these in the car for the ride home?" - sometimes on the same weekend, in the same room and system!
Best I ever heard them was at AKfest (at certain times that weekend) where they were fitted with a very sweet combination of Fostex drivers; the Fostex FF165K 6.5" playing full-range with a T90 super tweeter on a single cap. I doubt that combination is still available (especially at $850/pr all-in!) but damn could they ever sound good...sometimes.
Lowthers have that same effect on me (FWIW).
If there was any way to audition, I'd want to add one of the Fostex based folded-horn kits to the consideration list; like the $520/pr BK-16 from Madisound.
These speakers intrigue the hell out of me because I've heard them on a few occasions over the years and they varied from "let me out of here!" to "can I fit these in the car for the ride home?" - sometimes on the same weekend, in the same room and system!
Best I ever heard them was at AKfest (at certain times that weekend) where they were fitted with a very sweet combination of Fostex drivers; the Fostex FF165K 6.5" playing full-range with a T90 super tweeter on a single cap. I doubt that combination is still available (especially at $850/pr all-in!) but damn could they ever sound good...sometimes.
View attachment 6565
I was looking at those, was also intrigued and agree that they should be considered.
Actually I don't think it's quite that simple. I find them impressive on some program material and oppressive on other material.Lowthers......folks either love them or hate them.
They seem to be awfully sensitive to the quality of the recording -- or, more to the point, the mixing and mastering.
I have found multiple pairs (different flavors of drivers, mostly AlNiCo/Alcomax) in different enclosures to be almost uniformly intolerant of multiple-mono (multitracked), highly compressed/processed "pop" style recordings. One of the most awful cacophonies I've experienced, e.g., was some Hendrix record (LP) on a pair of Lowthers in big (BIG) back loaded horns. ... and, mind you, I owned a pair of Cornwalls for a decade, so I've heard me some cacophony
Actually I don't think it's quite that simple. I find them impressive on some program material and oppressive on other material.
They seem to be awfully sensitive to the quality of the recording -- or, more to the point, the mixing and mastering.
I have found multiple pairs (different flavors of drivers, mostly AlNiCo/Alcomax) in different enclosures to be almost uniformly intolerant of multiple-mono (multitracked), highly compressed/processed "pop" style recordings. One of the most awful cacophonies I've experienced, e.g., was some Hendrix record (LP) on a pair of Lowthers in big (BIG) back loaded horns. ... and, mind you, I owned a pair of Cornwalls for a decade, so I've heard me some cacophony
I have PM2As in Medallions.
Love 'em.....a lot. Longest in use speaker I've ever owned. Definitely not for sale.
They definitely do not "pretty up" really bad recordings....I'll give you that.....but they do offer a wonderfully clear and emotionally involving window to the music.
As an aside, there are some very simple and unreasonably inexpensive "Lowther tricks" that make them more "accessible" to some folks.
The BK-16 that @billfort posted could very possibly offer a glipse of that "magic" at a very reasonable price.
YMMV.....
Digital Source:
Raspberry Pi 3+ / HiFiBerry DAC+ / Squeezeclone / Logitech Media Server $130.00
Analog Source:
Used Rega / ProJect / etc. (we only care about the platter / plinth / motor) - $200.00
AudioMods UK DIY tonearm - $450.00
Denon DL103 LOMC - $230.00
Phono preamplifier:
HypnoToad HQMC AD797 - $100.00
Note: will share power supply with line amplifier
Line amplifier:
GlassWare Aikido LV (with a quad of 6GM8 tubes + all switchgear + connectors) - $250.00
OPS 24 VDC + 15-0-15 VDC power supply - $70.00
Note: does not include the cost of a chassis - you can go with the cheapest Hammond enclosure, surplus electronics enclosures, or wooden boxes with CNC-machined panels, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Power amplifier (TUBE):
Get*SET*Go 6B4G SET (tubes = $85, transformers = $150, parts = $115) - $350.00
Note: circuit boards are NLA, but the circuit is simple enough for point-to-point construction. Does not include the cost of a chassis - you can go with the cheapest Hammond enclosure, surplus electronics enclosures, or wooden boxes with CNC-machined panels, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Power amplifier (SS):
DIYAudio Pass ACA 1.6 - $320.00
Note: does include chassis
Speakers:
Fostex Solo 103 w/ Fostex FE103-SOL drivers - $450.00 (drivers + plywood + parts)
Subwoofer:
Three pi subwoofer kit - $550.00 ($150 for kit parts, $150 for cabinets, $250 for BASH plate amp)
Note: does not include the cost of a chassis - you can go with the cheapest Hammond enclosure, surplus electronics enclosures, or wooden boxes with CNC-machined panels, or whatever tickles your fancy. The nice thing about DIY in this case is you can always upgrade the enclosure.
Raspberry Pi 3+ / HiFiBerry DAC+ / Squeezeclone / Logitech Media Server $130.00
Analog Source:
Used Rega / ProJect / etc. (we only care about the platter / plinth / motor) - $200.00
AudioMods UK DIY tonearm - $450.00
Denon DL103 LOMC - $230.00
Phono preamplifier:
HypnoToad HQMC AD797 - $100.00
Note: will share power supply with line amplifier
Line amplifier:
GlassWare Aikido LV (with a quad of 6GM8 tubes + all switchgear + connectors) - $250.00
OPS 24 VDC + 15-0-15 VDC power supply - $70.00
Note: does not include the cost of a chassis - you can go with the cheapest Hammond enclosure, surplus electronics enclosures, or wooden boxes with CNC-machined panels, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Power amplifier (TUBE):
Get*SET*Go 6B4G SET (tubes = $85, transformers = $150, parts = $115) - $350.00
Note: circuit boards are NLA, but the circuit is simple enough for point-to-point construction. Does not include the cost of a chassis - you can go with the cheapest Hammond enclosure, surplus electronics enclosures, or wooden boxes with CNC-machined panels, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Power amplifier (SS):
DIYAudio Pass ACA 1.6 - $320.00
Note: does include chassis
Speakers:
Fostex Solo 103 w/ Fostex FE103-SOL drivers - $450.00 (drivers + plywood + parts)
Subwoofer:
Three pi subwoofer kit - $550.00 ($150 for kit parts, $150 for cabinets, $250 for BASH plate amp)
Note: does not include the cost of a chassis - you can go with the cheapest Hammond enclosure, surplus electronics enclosures, or wooden boxes with CNC-machined panels, or whatever tickles your fancy. The nice thing about DIY in this case is you can always upgrade the enclosure.
How about some JELabs OBs with suitable drivers?
I wonder if the Zenith 49cz* drivers would work well in the JE Labs OB. I've used them in some ~40"x40" open panels and they sounded quite nice. I think they could use a little help up high, but even on their own they were very nice.
I've always wanted to build some clones of the Mondrian inspired OBs from his site. He did a wonderful job with those and I absolutely adore the esthetic.
Perhaps a pair of these ~$23 ribbons from Madisound?*
Put those above the Zenith 12's, or similar vintage alnico driver. Some plywood, paint if you like and you could have yourself a very nice OB set.
DIY doorway speakers!
For the rest of the system I only have a few ideas:
Technics SL-Q3
upgrade the cart
EAR 834p clone
Maybe a First Watt B1 clone for volume, source control.
Not complete, obviously, but some possibilities...
*https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/ribbon-tweeters/audiopur-pla92-6-planar-ribbon-tweeter/
I can't see a "buy it now" button, but looks like it may be sourced from here?
http://store.triodestore.com/diytubegetsetgo.html
It was (also was available on diytube.com), but they stopped making the boards when Shannon Parks (founder of diytube.com) started up Parks Audio LLC.
Nice recommendations.
Bet this would sound quite nice!
I can vouch for most of it from personal experience. The only two bits where I'm having to extrapolate a bit are the Fostex speakers (I've played around with Fostex 103s but only in ported boxes - I've heard the Solo 103 enclosures are a bit better) and the sub (but I've heard good review of Pi speakers in general).
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