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Opinions on Full-Range/single driver speakers

I am considering a DIY project to build a pair of single driver speakers. My current idea is to put Jordan JX9s into Transmission line cabinets. I am a competent woodworker and there are lots of plans on the internet.

I do really value the opinions of you audiogon members out there with lots of listening experience so I am curious what your opinions are on single driver speakers. If you can also comment on wide-baffle versus narrow baffle designs, that would be helpful.

My front end is a Monarchy tube DAC 25 with Matsushista tubes and DIP Classic, coupled to an AYRE DX7E, all interconnects and cables are DIY magnet wire. I am currently using Green Mountain Europa's and a modified Paradigm subwoofer.

After enjoying GMA's and experiencing time/phase coherent sound, I started looking at other options for coherent systems. It seems the simplest design is a good full range driver (no whiffle cone) in a TL or QWL cabinet.

So your opinions are appreciated. I would prefer if you did not advise me to purchase your favorite speaker as that is not the type of information I am seeking.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Drew.
drewh1

Showing 8 responses by johnk

johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
I think you should consider your source of information maybe some is biased to what 1 sells. Since I dont offer any of the drivers I suggested in my last post. Maybe bias to what 1 sells is the issue.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Jordans not my cup of tea. But some fullranges are not as limiting as others suggest seems since so many fullranges about many not aproaching close to fullrange this can be confusing. And some only have experance with the cheap little ones. And with these they do have a point about limitations in range SPL coloration etc.. But some are not so limited and you can DIY wonderful loudspeakers around. Best deal would be Fostex f200a. If you want great bass with a fullrange a big TL can get into the 30hz range no wimpy fullrange here. The SEAS exotic can be used in AS cab its costly about 50% more but is more refined and detailed than f200a, but bass is not as strong. SEAS exotic is 94db 1 watt 8 ohms f200a 90db 1 watt 8 ohms. I have been designing with f200a for about 10 years. Its so over looked by fullrange hobbiests and to me 1 of the best when price is considered. Think the 90db 1 watt scares most off but its not a issue unless your into 45 SET or amps of similar power, f200a can run well off 2a3 with 3-4 watts. And even 45 SET works fine if used in nearfield.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Audio Nirvana not so hot. Go fostex f200a. Keep in mind you have experts sugesting f200a you have newbes suggesting AN. Keep this in mind.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Apequark Owned most all lowthers except 5in,perfer f200a to all lowther and SEAS x- 1 is even better than f200a, heck I have used most all fullranges of quality available to the public. Since I design loudspeakers many hi-eff or using fullrange transducers and been doing so for near 25 years not a newbie as Apequark suggests. Apequark you sure do need to hear some other drivers than A nirvana drek...And your right you sure do need to finish your educational roadmap....
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
You still should beable to order f200a from madisound. They have become popular again maybe I shouldnt talk them up so online;) I would suggest a 90 liter BR or TL. f120a is also a great little driver but best for near field or use as midrange. fe138esr while one can get great sound are hard to use so if you have built designed before its worth a try. SEAS X-1 prices are lower now check madisound I use a sealed birch ply cabinet very over built design, madisound offers a cab for x-1 its a MDF ported floorstander nmade in china. Sorry thought it was apequark. Not known for my gifts with the wrighten word. I will remeber its aptquark.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Wonderful Electric you came to this conclusion after only hearing 1 pair of fullranges? And that one only used a wee driver and greatly over priced? Keep in mind many dont suffer so from the problems you list. The wee little wide bands dont have the range,dynamic range, mag power or cone area of the drivers were talking about. The f200a, SEAS X-1 do not need horn cabinets to produce bass so your reply[bass loading usually messes up the otherwise perfect impulse response] isnt a issue and they are in phase and a 4in will not do bass no mater what. Treble can be a problem the x1 and fostex do well but not as good as a raal or t500amk2 covering the same range. But you do win in intergration and point source, phase and time correct. No perfect transducer or loudspeaker since all are made by humans. We as designers work with compromises to bring the best sound we can for price range. Fullranges can make a wonderful loudspeaker but since only 1 driver cheaping out anywhere will be highly audible. But I find this to be true with most loudspeaker designs.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
f200a and fe206 equal in performance? My findings are fe206e has +12db peak in responce from flat. If you like that great. I dont. Use a notch filter takes away the air. Using in front horn reduces peak to a small degree but still measurable and audible. To me fe206e is 1 of the worst sounding fostex I much perfer fe166e over fe206e but sure some are groving to the peaky responce of fe206e maybe the rise adds a bit of color that others like I dont know. But I will pass on fe206e.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Used fe206e in many designs inc front horns, built optimized cabinets designed just for all theses fullranges didnt just use 1 cabinet for all. Cabinet needs to be optimised or designed for ea driver no 1 cab design for all fullranges. Fostex fullranges better sounding than fe206e =f200a f120a fe166e fe167e fe207e fe208esigma fe168e sigma fe138esr. Do not see where fe206e is a deal. You can do better with fostex for less money. Or spend more and get a quality fullrange. But YMMV I know many dont get a chance to hear what these drivers can do when used proper. So fe206e since many say is a alright performer might be good enough for folks not able to get the chance to hear better fullrange or wideband transducers.
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