Single driver speakers - opinions

Cdc- you wrote;

'DIY is good :-). DIY takes time to do so it slows me down from changing stuff out every few months. DIY also makes it impossible to justify a $1,000+ amp when I can make one for $200 or so. I'd be spending time on the chat sites anyhow so might as well put the time to good use and make stuff myself'.

I think Johnk has been doing this for years.
Experimenting sorts out the good from the bad.
Experience is everything. Mr K is a wealth of knowledge in this field.

>And slapping a coating on a cheap driver doesn't make it better this kind of so call modded drivers will have reduced performance if one really understands transducer or cone design.

John,

Get up on the wrong side of the bed today?

I guess one good rant deserves another?

I can't agree with you about not being able to improve a loudspeaker with careful treatment (otherwise i wouldn't be a proponent). You can also make it worse. With 30 years of experience under my belt, i don't get very many duds anymore (and those don't ever see the light of day). And as many know i freely share what i have learned.

As to the performance of a small driver vrs a larger one, one has to consider the box it is in, the room the box is in, the partnering equipment, and the compromises that the end user finds the best mix for their listening & emotionally satisfaction (not to mention budget). Since there really is no such thing as a true full range, one is going to have to compromise somewhere. Personally i find the 4-5" drivers to be the sweet spot, but a couple helper woofers -- if you can get them to blend -- can really add to the experience. And once one has crossed the line to helper woofers, then one can consider things like the FF85KeN + woofer, one of my current favorites,

If you are not willing to cross that line, and need bass, or have a really small amp, you have little recourse but to choose a larger driver.

As far as rants go someone could write a similar discourse about manufacturers taking poor performing Fostex recommended designs and selling them as their own. Or even taking the good ones and not giving credit where credit is due.

For instance we burned our build of the Fostex FE126 recommended Bass Reflex/TL hybrid (Fostex calls it a horn/BR hybrid) as its performance was not up to snuff -- not even good enuff to give away -- but i have seen these being promoted out in cyberspace (and with no acknowledgment).

dave

JohnK "Cdc You've decided that 4in c37 are the best. "

I never said this. If I said something to get you upset, I apologize. You have a wealth of knowledge and I would rather share it.

You then quote me as saying "you said no 8in is close to 4in in performance "
Again, I never said this. Rather I asked you "I would need more clarity to understand how every 4 inch is worse than any 8 inch, except for bass and dynamics, of course."
Not sure why you are taking what I wrote out of context.

JohnK "Seems you like to add things never said but imagined."
Nope, that's what you are doing. I don't know why.
I have taken direct quotes from your posts and responded. I have enjoyed your posts and advice in the past.
JohnK "You say I am a know it all,"
Once again, I never said this either. I was referring to your tone. Hardly a "helpful" tone as you say you are trying to help me.

For me, the funky soundstaging of an 8", whether Fostex or $14,000 Tannoy Westminster, and the rough HF of the Brines F200, is just as distracting as the loss of dynamics of a 4". That's why I would like to hear a good 4" T-L design. I think it would be the best of both worlds.

You do know a lot and I would much rather have you explain stuff like phase of SD speakers as I showed in Jordan's link.
Thanks

Gawdbless, I agree, I would like to benefit from his wealth of knowledge than get blasted by it.

Does seem a few manufacturers don't credit nagaoka. But KCS is not one. Think its well known I am a Nahaoka fan boy. Even my fe206esr cab was 4 generations up from nagaoka original design and again hes mentioned even in my review. All our cabinets are optimized from nagaokas and we still mention as do we fully disclose parts etc. Do other manufacturers? I could list many who no longer list origin of design parts etc. But KCS is no longer offering any BLH models except large bass horns but will custom build if asked. For now KCS is offering 1 full range driver loudspeaker a SEAS exotic equipped AS cab. And did I get up on the wrong side of the bed. No Ive got a SEAS exotic in my bedroom system I smile as soon as my eyes open. 1st thing I do is turn on tunes. I go to bed as they play;) No things are good for me I just seem surly for I am not a gifted tech writer or linguist. And I come across as short and a know it all. Seem forums are not my thing. Will stop posting. Spend more time with my boy sales for KCS are good. No worries except autism and politics.

And Cdc if you want a great plan for a TL fe126e. Email. Will send it out, build is not so hard. Sorry if things are taken wrong. As I said not a gifted writer. If I seem short or rude its just the way I post, in real life I am tall and rude;)