Super high efficiency pro speakers?

madmax
madmax Posts: 12,434
edited September 2009 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
I've been getting into low power but huge sound lately. I'm wondering if I could build a pair of speakers using pro drivers and horns and get something audiophile grade? I'm seeing some 15" bass drivers listed at 101db and horns for treble at 110 db. Of course the prices vary widely too. So, given a price no object selection does anyone think this would be the way to go? Yeah, I've heard the cheap PA cabinents at $500 each. They are loud but suck. I'm thinking more about $400 JBL bass drivers and their $800 horn/driver units. Maybe something like the old Altec Lansing home speakers.
madmax
Vinyl, the final frontier...

Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
Post edited by madmax on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2009
    Think Emerald Physics with better drivers.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2009
    Check out Fostex at madisound. There are some 8" full ranges(FE206E) that are 98db efficient, fs 38hz, top out at 20k, and only cost $88. I was just looking at these last night. You can add a super tweeter, but I myself would go with a non wizzer cone like the FF225K at 96db. Look at some of the super efficient ribon tweeters, and of coarse the Fostex horns. I have never heard small horns so I have nothing to say about SQ.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited September 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Think Emerald Physics with better drivers.

    I like this one. 28" Woof-Woof!

    http://www.e-speakers.com/-strse-418/ALIAN-28A/Detail.bok
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited September 2009
    Check out Danny Ritchies' new designs over at the circle as he has been messing around with some pro drivers lately in some kits. His prices are always a very good value.

    Regards,
    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited September 2009
    The 8" B&C coaxials look interesting but at only 94db may not be quite sensitive enough. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=294-653
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,789
    edited September 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Check out Fostex at madisound. There are some 8" full ranges(FE206E) that are 98db efficient, fs 38hz, top out at 20k, and only cost $88. I was just looking at these last night. You can add a super tweeter, but I myself would go with a non wizzer cone like the FF225K at 96db. Look at some of the super efficient ribon tweeters, and of coarse the Fostex horns. I have never heard small horns so I have nothing to say about SQ.
    To be as much of a dumb **** as he is, he makes a valid statement in this post. I'm confused as to who he really is......
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2009
    Look into Tyler Acoustics line of pro-driver based speakers: http://www.tyleracoustics.com/pro_dynamics.html

    pd80_lg.jpg
    Jake
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited September 2009
    Check out Hawthorne audio:
    http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue31/hawthorne.htm
    http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/

    They're going to be similar to the newer Emerald Physics.

    I think you definitely want to go with an active crossover like Emerald Physics- that's the hardest part of designing speakers and it's a hell of a lot easier to tweak around with a digital crossover than it is to model, build, tweak, model, build, etc.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited September 2009
    Midnite Mick wrote: »
    Check out Danny Ritchies' new designs over at the circle as he has been messing around with some pro drivers lately in some kits. His prices are always a very good value.

    Regards,
    Mike

    The new model he's got at RMAF this year certainly did look interesting.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2009
    Wow, it will take a little while to go through all the sources suggested here.
    Thanks!
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited September 2009
    Where does Nikolas live? He ended up w/ my fostex back-loaded horns- they were "different" but fun. Get some ears on those if you want to hear some high efficiency single-drivers. Or find someone with Cain&Cain's.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64034
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2009
    Oh man, this guy makes some beautiful stuff!
    http://www.woodhorn.com/2005.htm
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,901
    edited September 2009
    madmax wrote: »
    I've been getting into low power but huge sound lately. I'm wondering if I could build a pair of speakers using pro drivers and horns and get something audiophile grade? I'm seeing some 15" bass drivers listed at 101db and horns for treble at 110 db. Of course the prices vary widely too. So, given a price no object selection does anyone think this would be the way to go? Yeah, I've heard the cheap PA cabinents at $500 each. They are loud but suck. I'm thinking more about $400 JBL bass drivers and their $800 horn/driver units. Maybe something like the old Altec Lansing home speakers.
    madmax

    yes. TAD drivers will give you the among the best sound you'll get for new production drivers.

    I am a big fan of the vintage Altec-Lancing drivers, horns and sound, though myself. Not 110 dB sensitive (well, at least not the ones I can afford), but 100 dB or better; and sweet, sweet sounding (even in a smallish room).

    Most of the JBL HF drivers/horns are a tad :-) too aggressive for my taste.

    You might want to look at this
    http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=150939&highlight=econowave
    (I guess the JBL waveguides are s'posed to be pretty good).

    and/or spend some quality time at www.lansingheritage.org and the forums therein.
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