Single driver experts!

organ

So I'm back into high efficiency. I used to have a pair of Omega single drivers (8") in a bass reflex design.
I really enjoy switching between horns and SD's. Now that I have my horns, I want SD's again.

I know someone who could build them for me. I want to keep parts and labor below $1k.
Can anybody give me links to good designs. I'm looking for towers that would have 'good enough' bass. So no monsters. I don't mind a low end of 40 or 50hz. Looking for a large and deep soundstage.

What do you think about the 4.5" vs larger drivers?

They will be powered by SET amps ranging from 1.5w/ch to 8w/ch.

organ

Nevermind. I was just surfing www.omegaloudspeakers.com and I think I want to try the Super 5 XRS. Should have looked before posting:rolleyes:.

Jim Shearer

You might also want to look here (and all its associated links):
http://www.planet10-hifi.com/

Another excellent source of info if you want to learn:
http://www.quarter-wave.com/

And a place where I like to hang out:
www.diyaudio.com under loudspeakers/full range (where full range = single driver)

If you value mid/high freq finesse the most, you might want to stick with 4 to 4.5" drivers. If you want to get more spl (particularly at low freq), then you might prefer the 8" drivers.

Fostex (which I have built w/ and enjoyed) have unfortunately discontinued the FExx7 and FF series drivers. You should also check out the new Mark Audio drivers--I don't have experience w/ them, but they are getting lots of positive buzz.

Cheers, Jim

Jim Shearer

Forgot to mention for those unfamiliar with this topic:

Single full range drivers aren't everyone's cup of tea. However, it is an experience everyone should check out. You may be surprised at how much audio pleasure you can get from a couple of little drivers in very large, odd looking boxes connected to a flea powered amp.

Cheers, Jim

mhardy6647

You've gotten good advice already. My favorite small (4") FR drivers aren't available anymore, but they are very nice sounding and were very inexpensive (as low as 69 cents on closeout). I still keep -- a few -- around :-)

http://ratch-h.com/pa-speaker.html
http://ratch-h.com/69centwonder.html



I am also quite fond of these (also unfortunately discontinued) Radio Shack 5-1/4" twincone FR drivers. These are very, very good full-range, in mass-loaded TQWP enclosures (designed by Bob Brines, see http://www.brinesacoustics.com/Pages/Proposals.html )



8" is a good size for FR (extended-range) drivers, I think. Not too big, not too small.

HB27

I love the little Fostex 103s. 4" driver, 3' tall narrow cabinet makes all the quality clear sound you could ask for out of it.
Cabinet is critical and I can get my plans back from a buddy on sunday when he gets off work. Stepped folded cabinet with a lot of bass for a small driver. Minimum air flow keeps it clean.
I've got the 168 and 206 Fostex as well but the 103 shines above them.
Save your money on the "Wild Burros". I was very disappointed in them. I like to play with the different flavors of the month.

mhardy6647

HB27 wrote: »

I love the little Fostex 103s. 4" driver, 3' tall narrow cabinet makes all the quality clear sound you could ask for out of it.
Cabinet is critical and I can get my plans back from a buddy on sunday when he gets off work. Stepped folded cabinet with a lot of bass for a small driver. Minimum air flow keeps it clean.
I've got the 168 and 206 Fostex as well but the 103 shines above them.
Save your money on the "Wild Burros". I was very disappointed in them. I like to play with the different flavors of the month.

Heh, forgot to mention one of my other faves - the Fostex FE-207E.

Thanks for the reminder and/or sorry for another semi-OT post to this thread by me...

organ

Thanks for the pics and links, guys.

Jim,
That is so true. When I used to have a lot of gear, I prefered my single driver/SET combo over my Magnepan/SS. Very musical when the synergy is right.

MRH,
I think that's the exact same 8" fostex that was on my Omega (minus the cat;)). I'm thinking about something like the second pic you posted.

I will take my time on this one. I want it to be right.

Wonder if there are plans floating around for the SD from 47 Lab http://www.sakurasystems.com/products/essence.html

Toolfan66

I was lucky enough to hear these at a tube shop I found here in Denver, the guy builds his own tube amps as well, the set up he had with these speakers was beautiful sounding, I could have sat there all day listening to them. he had them in slim short tower cabinet's he built.

Just seeing your pic has me wanting to give him a visit..

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Heh, forgot to mention one of my other faves - the Fostex FE-207E.

Thanks for the reminder and/or sorry for another semi-OT post to this thread by me...

doctorcilantro

Louis (Omega) is coming out with some new stuff soon. A new line too. Alnico 4.5" maybe in the next year as well? Had some folks who have "serious" ($$$) speakers over last month. They were impressed with my little boxes it seems.

organ

Do you know if this includes his affordable line like the XRS?
Is that a 2A3 SET int you're using? Very cool set up.
I know exactly what you mean. I was shocked the first time I heard Omega on a SET amp lol. I miss that set up.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. I have a fostex based tower in a bass reflex design with a twist in mind. I will ask the builder about this. He's very serious about every detail. Not a bad thing since we seem to have the same taste.

I will keep you guys posted.

btw, love the great pics you guys posted.

steveinaz

Here you go:

http://www.fritzspeakers.com/FullRangeSpecs.htm

doctorcilantro

He is coming out with a 98db/w 12" or 15" (?) full range driver for CHEAP. Definielty email Louis if you can accommodate the size of the speakers as they would be a great match for 1.5watts.

I'm using a Decware Mini-torii; single ended 6V6. The OA3 regulators are what you thought were 2A3 no doubt; you can see the 6v6 to the right.

Just got my replacement DAC in...finally!

organ wrote: »

Do you know if this includes his affordable line like the XRS?
Is that a 2A3 SET int you're using? Very cool set up.
I know exactly what you mean. I was shocked the first time I heard Omega on a SET amp lol. I miss that set up.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. I have a fostex based tower in a bass reflex design with a twist in mind. I will ask the builder about this. He's very serious about every detail. Not a bad thing since we seem to have the same taste.

I will keep you guys posted.

btw, love the great pics you guys posted.

organ

Steve,
Thanks for the link. I will keep all the reccomendations in mind when I'm ready.

Doc,
Now that's interesting! I hope it's not too big.

Sweet. Thanks for sharing the photo. 6V6 are great sounding tubes for sure. I've always wanted to hear a Decware unit but haven't come across any. I still want to try their single ended EL84 int. I really enjoy reading Steve's online articles as well. The man really has a passion for tube audio and music.

mhardy6647

organ wrote: »

...
Sweet. Thanks for sharing the photo. 6V6 are great sounding tubes for sure. I've always wanted to hear a Decware unit but haven't come across any. I still want to try their single ended EL84 int. I really enjoy reading Steve's online articles as well. The man really has a passion for tube audio and music.

You can borrow mine (Decware "Zen" SE-84B) any time you're in the neighborhood.


The little Zen on the bench checkin' out a half-track A77. It is not a bad sounding amplifier; it is very low powered (wasn't really able to drive a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls fullrange adequately) and lacking in LF extension. It would make a great HF or MR/HF amp in a bi- or multiamped setup. A SE 2A3 amp like the Bottlehead Paramour is much better sounding all around.

organ

Thanks for the offer.
That's great. I still can't believe how much gear you have! I've seen so many of your photos.
Yeah, I heard about their lack of bass. But fortunately, bass is not really an issue for me anymore. My bass horns only go down to 100hz. My cdp has two sets of outputs. One goes to a pre / external x-over / ss mono blocks / and finally subs. The other set goes to the tube int. It's working out great so far.

Is it really as fast as Steve describes it?

mhardy6647

Most of it is junk.

My wife bought me the Zen for my birthday many years ago when I was first getting re-interested in vacuum tube amplifiers (which was very sweet of her). Little did she know she was creating a monster.

"Fast"? I dunno. There are a few amps here that sound better than it does; that's all I know. It is inexpensive, though.

The offer is totally serious; I've lent it out several times - y'know... the first hit is free! :-)
I would be loath to ship it (although I do have the box it was shipped in).

organ

It's alright man. I'm all the way in Canada. I really appreciate your kindness.
I am getting an EL84SE int on the first week of Sept. I'm really excited about this. It was all those articles about the Zen amp Steve wrote that made me want to try EL84 in single ended.
I will post a pic when I get it.

That was very nice of your wife to buy you one for x-mas.

mhardy6647

They (SE EL84 amps, that is) will all sound good... trust me on this! :-)
Like this little guy...

Face

When I'm in the mood to listen to a single driver, I just turn on my alarm clock radio.

organ

Wow. That is one cool looking unit. Good to hear EL84's sound good. And I like the fact that the tubes are so much cheaper, even NOS.