Osmed,
Now don't hold back... tell us how you really feel. ;-)
Now don't hold back... tell us how you really feel. ;-)
Single driver speakers without the pitfalls?
In researching SET amps, I have learned a lot more about the sort of high efficiency speakers that they are typically paired with, including single driver models like Omega, Blumenstein, Teresonic, etc.
The advantages of these designs are well acknowledged: coherence, imaging, high-efficiency and so forth.
At the same time, there seem to be equally well acknowledged drawbacks to these designs: Limited bass response, rolled off highs, and a harshness or "shout" in the upper midrange.
Some designers, like Tekton and Zu, seem to take the approach of getting the best of all worlds by joining a wide range driver to a tweeter of some sort. (To some extent, my Reference 3AM De Capo monitors take this approach.)
What I'm curious to learn is whether you think there are any single driver, full range systems that transcend the above limitations.
Eager to hear your thoughts.
The advantages of these designs are well acknowledged: coherence, imaging, high-efficiency and so forth.
At the same time, there seem to be equally well acknowledged drawbacks to these designs: Limited bass response, rolled off highs, and a harshness or "shout" in the upper midrange.
Some designers, like Tekton and Zu, seem to take the approach of getting the best of all worlds by joining a wide range driver to a tweeter of some sort. (To some extent, my Reference 3AM De Capo monitors take this approach.)
What I'm curious to learn is whether you think there are any single driver, full range systems that transcend the above limitations.
Eager to hear your thoughts.
Showing 14 responses by rebbi
I am not rushing out to sell my De Capo's anytime soon. Of course, I want to hear what they sound like with my new amplifier. However, the Lore is a very interesting proposition. Looks like an almost unbelievable value and the reviews are universally very positive. Plus, it would be almost a full range speaker. So, my mind is open but I want to see how the new amp sounds in my current rig. By the way, there is also a 2.0 version of the Lore but using a different tweeter. The website doesn't really make clear what the differences between the two, and Eric only said that they use different tweeters but they both sound great. |
I'm not really thinking of building my own speakers at this point, but I'm trying to learn more about the "full range" drivers that so many people seem to like to pair with SET amps. I'm also curious about Tekton, since their models are very competitively priced and very efficient (as in 94 db and up). |
Mikirob, Interesting! I hadn't heard of the 4.5's. Seems that they are working on a 4.5 v.2; no details on the Tekton site, though. Just for the fun of it, I called Tekton yesterday and spoke to Eric Alexander. Very nice guy. I gave him my system and room details (including the SET amp) and he said I was kind of on the borderline but he'd suggest the Lore or Lore 2.0. They are both 98 db efficient... yowza! |
Mikirob, Yes, totally, absolutely! I have enjoyed the De Capo's so much over the past couple of years and I have no intention of ditching them anytime soon. I hope and suspect that you are right that the De Capo sounds fantastic with the SET amplification. By the way, spoke to Brian over at Audio Note this morning, and my kit should be shipping out tomorrow (Friday) or Monday at the latest. I can't wait. :-) By the way, I am going to be blogging about the building of my amp. If anybody out there is interested in following along, I have already started the blog and it is here. |
Larryi, This is super interesting. He even has a blow-by-blow description of building an older version of the Kit 1! Cool. I never knew about wire looming - very interesting. I know about the rap against neat wire bundling causing inductance, etc. Steve Deckert of Decware told me that he deliberately doesn't bundle his amp wires for that very reason. As for eliminating the PCB's and hard wiring the whole kit, I think I'm going to pass on that option! Although it may sound nominally better if you get it right, I think I'd forfeit any claim to Brian's tech support time if I do radically circumvented the build instructions. Also, this kit wasn't cheap, and the thought of ruining it is sobering! |
And what about these guys? They advertise here, FWIW. |
Jetrexpro, Okay THANK YOU! :-) Got the first box from Brian a couple of days ago and will post blog photos and pics soon. Packed like a labor of love, I'll say that! Two more boxes to go. One heavy one with transformers due in a couple of days and a third after that with some tubes that were backordered. No plans to dump my De Capos any time soon... |
Then there's this thread on AudioAsylum on the very same topic... |
Shakey, I'm not really in the market for a single driver speaker; too many limitations and negatives. But I think that the wide-range + tweeter approach is a good one. That's essentially what my De Capo's and the various Tekton models seem to so. You get that coherence with the crossover out of the midrange's way, but you're not asking the main driver to do more than it can physically accomplish in the high end. |
Veroman, Very interesting to me that you built speakers with Audio Nirvana drivers. I've spoken to David Dicks on the phone. I stumbled upon his $1500 300B SET amp and was intrigued, although I ultimately chose to build my own SET amp from a kit. But I've got the DIY bug now and might one day try building one of his designs for the sheer fun of it. Nobody here has mentioned Omega Speakers and their hemp cone drivers. I've spoken with Louis at Omega, too, and he claims to have conquered the harsh midrange of conventional FR drivers. That's why he makes his own. Anybody have personal experience with the Omega's? Again, not dumping my De Capo's, just curious. |