Lots of good dialogue here Noquarter. Thank you. If you are interested in seeing an interesting site on this series crossover "thing", please go to
http://home.iprimus.com.au/gradds/index.htm
It may just keep you busy for a while.
You are correct in what you say about the North Creek coils. It is just obvious that their 8 or 10 gauge coils would have a lower DCR than AlphaCore Goertz, whose largest are 12 gauge for copper, 14 gauge for silver. Don't know why I went along with their statement. It should be more than apparent. Perhaps they offered this up before these North Creek coils were introduced. Not sure when that was, but the last time I bought North Creek coils(1996) their largest wire gauge was 12. I am not a fan of the Solen heptalitz coils, I find North Creek much better sounding. And the Goertz would give a sound of another color, whether it is preferred is a matter of personal taste. I will need to check out North Creek to see how expensive these larger gauge coils are. Again, by running the mids flat out, I can save that expense.
I know that I prefer the sound of the mids without a coil in the circuit. Presuming that the driver is of the requisite quality and robustness, it is a no lose proposition. I would like to hear an argument as to what a series network could offer over having nothing in the path of the midrange.
I would not install more than two midranges in each speaker. As you pointed out, the cost of going crazy in this area adds up fast. I am leaning towards the two midranges, despite my liking the time alignment(one midrange) my Coincident speakers feature. Their sound has more than sold me on the arrangement.
Accuton drivers are not new. I first came across them in the early 1990's. While I didn't spend a lot of time with them, I can describe the sound as very smooth and natural. While pricey, they are not as expensive as Raven. I would not use Accuton drivers in this project because they are lower in sensitivity(usually 88 - 90 dB/2.83 V), and are not physically robust. I used to work with alumina(electronic substrates, paste, and I also used to tape cast it), and while very hard, it is very brittle. I have seen these drivers shatter rather easily in a speaker that was involved in a move.
In researching the EMIT-B ribbons you recommended from Speakercity.com, I found the sensitivity was too low for this project @ 90 dB/2.83 V. Price is good at $40. What do you think of the sound? I have not been around an EMIT driver since 1988.
The Ravens are available in sensitivities of 96 and 98 dB/2.83 V. Very high, but they are very expensive. Not sure if I want to put this kind of money in a speaker when I will be doing the cabinet work myself. While I have no problem with the construction of the box, I have never done any finishing. If I am going to build an expensive speaker, I kind of think it deserves the "living room" look.
I will also look into Cabasse drivers. I once helped a friend in a D'Appolito project using these drivers. They feature some highly sensitive drivers in their line. Sound is fast, and clear. Maybe not as laid back as I might want. We'll see. Following along Sean's recommendation, they offer some horns, which I should investigate. 108 - 110 dB/2.83 V sensitivity. Interesting.
Needless to say, the diamond domes are out of the question. Maybe Liz Taylor would be interested...
I will check out Bottlehead.com today. Thanks for steering me to their site.
My only listening of Fostex drivers were in a speaker that had no grunt to me. Kind of shallow. Lively and able to play loud, just that I prefer a little more "blood and guts" to the sound. Maybe I am selling them short. Have you heard them in a better light?
I am on record at Audiogon of not being the biggest fan of Focal tweeters. They can play loud and clean, just hard on my ears. But, I have really been impressed by the sound of Osborn speakers, which use all Focal drivers. When driven by more sedate electronics, such as Electrocompaniet, I have to admit the sound is first rate. Their mids and woofers are right up my alley, however. Available in high sensitivity or high impedence versions. So, that is why I will probably go with them or Cabasse.
Again, this is a wonderful dialogue. Something about the speakerbuilding hobby that I can never get tired of. Thank you!
http://home.iprimus.com.au/gradds/index.htm
It may just keep you busy for a while.
You are correct in what you say about the North Creek coils. It is just obvious that their 8 or 10 gauge coils would have a lower DCR than AlphaCore Goertz, whose largest are 12 gauge for copper, 14 gauge for silver. Don't know why I went along with their statement. It should be more than apparent. Perhaps they offered this up before these North Creek coils were introduced. Not sure when that was, but the last time I bought North Creek coils(1996) their largest wire gauge was 12. I am not a fan of the Solen heptalitz coils, I find North Creek much better sounding. And the Goertz would give a sound of another color, whether it is preferred is a matter of personal taste. I will need to check out North Creek to see how expensive these larger gauge coils are. Again, by running the mids flat out, I can save that expense.
I know that I prefer the sound of the mids without a coil in the circuit. Presuming that the driver is of the requisite quality and robustness, it is a no lose proposition. I would like to hear an argument as to what a series network could offer over having nothing in the path of the midrange.
I would not install more than two midranges in each speaker. As you pointed out, the cost of going crazy in this area adds up fast. I am leaning towards the two midranges, despite my liking the time alignment(one midrange) my Coincident speakers feature. Their sound has more than sold me on the arrangement.
Accuton drivers are not new. I first came across them in the early 1990's. While I didn't spend a lot of time with them, I can describe the sound as very smooth and natural. While pricey, they are not as expensive as Raven. I would not use Accuton drivers in this project because they are lower in sensitivity(usually 88 - 90 dB/2.83 V), and are not physically robust. I used to work with alumina(electronic substrates, paste, and I also used to tape cast it), and while very hard, it is very brittle. I have seen these drivers shatter rather easily in a speaker that was involved in a move.
In researching the EMIT-B ribbons you recommended from Speakercity.com, I found the sensitivity was too low for this project @ 90 dB/2.83 V. Price is good at $40. What do you think of the sound? I have not been around an EMIT driver since 1988.
The Ravens are available in sensitivities of 96 and 98 dB/2.83 V. Very high, but they are very expensive. Not sure if I want to put this kind of money in a speaker when I will be doing the cabinet work myself. While I have no problem with the construction of the box, I have never done any finishing. If I am going to build an expensive speaker, I kind of think it deserves the "living room" look.
I will also look into Cabasse drivers. I once helped a friend in a D'Appolito project using these drivers. They feature some highly sensitive drivers in their line. Sound is fast, and clear. Maybe not as laid back as I might want. We'll see. Following along Sean's recommendation, they offer some horns, which I should investigate. 108 - 110 dB/2.83 V sensitivity. Interesting.
Needless to say, the diamond domes are out of the question. Maybe Liz Taylor would be interested...
I will check out Bottlehead.com today. Thanks for steering me to their site.
My only listening of Fostex drivers were in a speaker that had no grunt to me. Kind of shallow. Lively and able to play loud, just that I prefer a little more "blood and guts" to the sound. Maybe I am selling them short. Have you heard them in a better light?
I am on record at Audiogon of not being the biggest fan of Focal tweeters. They can play loud and clean, just hard on my ears. But, I have really been impressed by the sound of Osborn speakers, which use all Focal drivers. When driven by more sedate electronics, such as Electrocompaniet, I have to admit the sound is first rate. Their mids and woofers are right up my alley, however. Available in high sensitivity or high impedence versions. So, that is why I will probably go with them or Cabasse.
Again, this is a wonderful dialogue. Something about the speakerbuilding hobby that I can never get tired of. Thank you!