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Cogent horns

Count me among those who have to say that the Cogent field-coil horn system is the single most realistic (and satisfying) speaker system I have heard. The system at RMAF 2006, powered by Welborne 45 (top) and 300B (bass) SETs, was *literally* jaw-dropping (for me).

(For whatever reason - I was not impressed to the same level the next year, in the very large conference room. Perhaps there is something about near(er) field listening these things. By all rights the Welborne room was *way* too small, but they sounded fabulous to me and many others.)

They are far beyond my price range.

How do the Classic Audio speakers with field coil drivers compare? And how come I see no mention at all of field coil options on Classic's site, including no pricing info? (I'm sure they're beyond me as well but just curious.)
paulfolbrecht

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,574 posts
 
Paulfolbrecht, the Classic Audio Loudspeakers model T-1 with the field coil drivers is about $52,000 for the pair. The T-3 set up the same way is about $36,000 for the pair.

The reason field coils sound better is that they are like ESLs in the way that the field reacts to the energy in the voice coil. That is to say, it does not react (or sag) whereas permanent magnets of all types do (Alnico sags the least and so has the reputation for the best sound). The difference is quite audible.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,574 posts
 
Field coil speakers have always been more expensive to make. When permanent magnet speakers became available, the industry moved to them quite quickly due to the fact that they were cheaper.

Like a lot of things in audio (tubes to transistors, LP to digital), the move from field coil to permanent magnets was fueled more by cost motivation than performance. Field coils are a rising star these days in loudspeaker technology. Although more expensive, they are otherwise an easy way to get the speaker to sound more transparent.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,574 posts
 
Macrojack, right now field coil drivers are custom affairs or at the least, pretty pricy. I know Classic Audio Loudspeakers modifies a certain JBL compression driver- seems to me by the time they are done there is very little left of the original driver.

Either way I would contact either CAL or Cogent- its likely that they are the major suppliers of compression drivers right now.
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