A good full range driver?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Well...

I am just looking at some options here....

What are some fairly decent full range drivers...out there (no more than 60 bucks each) - that don't require a larger cabinet, would like a 5.25" - 6.5" FR driver.....

Any options that come to mind?

[RuSsMaN]

Fostex FE166E - $61 each (http://www.madisound.com/FE166E.pdf)

Fostex FF165K - $61 each (http://www.madisound.com/ff165k.pdf)

Back-Loaded horn plans for the 166E (http://www.madisound.com/166e_encl.pdf)

Goldwood GW8003 - $19 each (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-379)

Pioneer B20FU20-51 - $24 each (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-045)

Pioneer TS-G1615 - $20 pair (http://store.yahoo.com/hypaudio/tsg1615.html) (I think this model has changed now to a flashy blue cone/silver whizzer - but it has its following in FR driver use. 92db 35-22Khz)

That's only scratching the surface, but should get you started. On the Fostex, both models I listed have a 4.5" inch model also, that run about $40 each. Check out the Tang-Band 3" and 4" offerings from partsexpress also. Check out the Aura 3" from madisound.

Cheers,
Russ

[nadams]

Sid- not sure if you're interested, but I have a pair of Pioneer TS-162 speakers. They're used, but in great shape, and come with the original box/grilles and all that. Specs are as follows:

6 1/2" Dual-cone
Max 80w, RMS 20w
45-18,000Hs, 92dB/W (1m)
Water-resistant cone
Strontium magnet
shallow basket design

They're yours for the price of shipping. I'll likely never use them again, and am moving in a month or so and am cleaning everything out I don't need. My original use was in a speaker box containing two 12" subs, these two speakers, and two Optimus tweeters. The box sounded good, but the last time I heard it was way before I was into quality sound. I wanted it LOUD, and that box did very well for me. That being said, the speakers can handle power as long as you're not too heavy on them. I would estimate shipping somewhere around $6.50-$7

nadams

[gatemplin]

http://creativesound.ca/images/product/W3_sm.jpg
I built a pair of speakers with these (http://creativesound.ca/details.php?model=W3871S). They have a very high quality clear sound, but do not go really loud. When paired with a sub and crossed over high, they are great beginner diy speakers. Do some searches on them, many people have used them at www.diyaudio.com

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I am think I am going to go with the...

Fostek FE166E

Here is what I have figured up basically by looking at the plans Russ sent me...

7" Wide Internal, 16.5" tall internall, 8" Deep internal

Woofer Cut out hole, 6"

Woofer from top of the cabinet (middle of woofer) 4 inches (from internal cabinet)

Port 3.25" from internal cabinet

Port depth - 4 - Port Diameter - 2.5

http://www.madisound.com/ - FE166E

These will be geared more torwards sound quality than overall volume...

the driver says 22 watts input, 60 watts music?? i dont understand...?

Also, thanks for the offer Nadams - I wont have a use for it I dont believe, maybe someone else will want it? Thanks again!

And thanks for all the suggestions! Very helpful! I am sure my project will change again and again lol

[nadams]

NP, Sid. Hope the project works out for you. I'm compiling a list of everything I want to move out of here... expect to see it in the Flea Mkt soon.

[gidrah]

If you can do it in your shop class go ahead and do the back loaded horns. You'll be surprised how good they sound.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

If I do this...

What will I need exactly.......to keep this thing away from the lower frequencies?

And what is the difference in input and music power?

[RuSsMaN]

Input (continuous), Music (peak).

Keep bass away? WHY MAN WHY? That's what folded horns and tuned pipes and labyrinths are for man!

The enclosure loads the bass, not the driver.

In a ported enlcosure, the driver is loading the bass (taking more of the load, damping), so it will get to moving, but that's OK too. These speakers, done properly (ported), will still sound OUTSTANDING, esp on vocals, jazz, acoustic sets. You just can't crank them up REAL high or you will notice an INSTANT midrange breakup and beaming in the high freq's.

Build it, even if you just go ported. If you want, buy a pair of the Pioneer / Goldwood that I linked you too, and I'll help you build a quarter wave. Much easier than a back loaded horn, but PHENOMENAL bass results.

If you want to do a 1/4 wave or labyrinth, let me know. I'll start running numbers on the driver, and I've got plenty of binding posts and damping material I can send you.

Cheers,
Russ

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Russ convinced me to go with this...

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=290-045

And he said he would send me some plans for it using a Labyrinth design........

So, I am curious to see how this goes and how large/small this thing is...

Since the FR pioneers costs considerably less, and this uses less parts -- I wouldnt mind buying the MDF just in case...

Hmm, will keep yall updated

Thanks Russ for all your help! And thank you everyone else that has thrown out their advice! Maybe this will be the project I do with, simple enough it seems...

[gidrah]

I think you'll be very pleased. I still listen to my 4" full range periscopes once in awhile and I have some other full range speakers that I listen to quite often.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Yeah, only experience i have with FR drivers is my TV and some select boomboxes ;)

So, needless to say...I am interested...

More or less, I am interested in mostly on how it keeps up with the bass AND the high end at the same time...

Will the pioneers be able to play louder? And still maintain composure?

[phoneisbusy]

The Back-Loaded horn plans for the 166E look very interesting/striking as a project. Too bad the super tweeter pricing is a bit beyond my budget. :(

I'm not very familar with horn and FR speakers. Are they more sensitive to placement then your typical 2 way bass reflex speakers?

Any idea if they would work well with classical music/opera and some soft rock for a 2 ch bedroom rig setup?

regards

Dave

[gidrah]

They would work great with that style of music. They may give up a little in volume on the crescendoes if you're listening too loud. I wouldn't think of them as hard to place, but more along the lines of when you get the placement right with these it's much more apparent than with most BRs.
I wouldn't worry about the tweeter then. They'll sound great with it and unless you listen to alot of tamborine or piccolo you should be fine. Some Rat Shacks still have close-out horn super tweeters left.

[phoneisbusy]

Thanks gidrah,

A followup to the placement question then. Can they tolerate being placed close to the wall? There's not a lot of space in the bedroom and having speakers in the middle of the room would be frowned upon by the other occupant.

regards

Dave

[gatemplin]

If you are making your own full range speakers, then wall placement makes things easy. You dont have to do any baffle step compensation like you might have to for speakers placed in the middle of a room. For full range drivers, just throw them in the proper box and you done (maybe a notch filter). I cant comment on horns though.