Super high efficiency pro speakers?

[madmax]

I've been getting into low power but huge sound lately. I'm wondering if I could build a pair of speakers using pro drivers and horns and get something audiophile grade? I'm seeing some 15" bass drivers listed at 101db and horns for treble at 110 db. Of course the prices vary widely too. So, given a price no object selection does anyone think this would be the way to go? Yeah, I've heard the cheap PA cabinents at $500 each. They are loud but suck. I'm thinking more about $400 JBL bass drivers and their $800 horn/driver units. Maybe something like the old Altec Lansing home speakers.
madmax

[Face]

Think Emerald Physics with better drivers.

[ben62670]

Check out Fostex at madisound. There are some 8" full ranges(FE206E) that are 98db efficient, fs 38hz, top out at 20k, and only cost $88. I was just looking at these last night. You can add a super tweeter, but I myself would go with a non wizzer cone like the FF225K at 96db. Look at some of the super efficient ribon tweeters, and of coarse the Fostex horns. I have never heard small horns so I have nothing to say about SQ.

[megasat16]

Think Emerald Physics with better drivers.

I like this one. 28" Woof-Woof!

http://www.e-speakers.com/-strse-418/ALIAN-28A/Detail.bok

[Midnite Mick]

Check out Danny Ritchies' new designs over at the circle as he has been messing around with some pro drivers lately in some kits. His prices are always a very good value.

Regards,
Mike

[GV#27]

The 8" B&C coaxials look interesting but at only 94db may not be quite sensitive enough. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=294-653

[lightman1]

Check out Fostex at madisound. There are some 8" full ranges(FE206E) that are 98db efficient, fs 38hz, top out at 20k, and only cost $88. I was just looking at these last night. You can add a super tweeter, but I myself would go with a non wizzer cone like the FF225K at 96db. Look at some of the super efficient ribon tweeters, and of coarse the Fostex horns. I have never heard small horns so I have nothing to say about SQ.To be as much of a dumb ass as he is, he makes a valid statement in this post. I'm confused as to who he really is......

[zingo]

Look into Tyler Acoustics line of pro-driver based speakers: http://www.tyleracoustics.com/pro_dynamics.html

http://www.tyleracoustics.com/Images/speakers/Pro%20speakers/pd80_lg.jpg

[unc2701]

Check out Hawthorne audio:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue31/hawthorne.htm
http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/

They're going to be similar to the newer Emerald Physics.

I think you definitely want to go with an active crossover like Emerald Physics- that's the hardest part of designing speakers and it's a hell of a lot easier to tweak around with a digital crossover than it is to model, build, tweak, model, build, etc.

[strider]

Check out Danny Ritchies' new designs over at the circle as he has been messing around with some pro drivers lately in some kits. His prices are always a very good value.

Regards,
Mike

The new model he's got at RMAF this year certainly did look interesting.

[madmax]

Wow, it will take a little while to go through all the sources suggested here.
Thanks!
madmax

[unc2701]

Where does Nikolas live? He ended up w/ my fostex back-loaded horns- they were "different" but fun. Get some ears on those if you want to hear some high efficiency single-drivers. Or find someone with Cain&Cain's.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64034

[madmax]

Oh man, this guy makes some beautiful stuff!
http://www.woodhorn.com/2005.htm

[mhardy6647]

I've been getting into low power but huge sound lately. I'm wondering if I could build a pair of speakers using pro drivers and horns and get something audiophile grade? I'm seeing some 15" bass drivers listed at 101db and horns for treble at 110 db. Of course the prices vary widely too. So, given a price no object selection does anyone think this would be the way to go? Yeah, I've heard the cheap PA cabinents at $500 each. They are loud but suck. I'm thinking more about $400 JBL bass drivers and their $800 horn/driver units. Maybe something like the old Altec Lansing home speakers.
madmax

yes. TAD drivers will give you the among the best sound you'll get for new production drivers.

I am a big fan of the vintage Altec-Lancing drivers, horns and sound, though myself. Not 110 dB sensitive (well, at least not the ones I can afford), but 100 dB or better; and sweet, sweet sounding (even in a smallish room).

Most of the JBL HF drivers/horns are a tad :-) too aggressive for my taste.

You might want to look at this
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=150939&highlight=econowave
(I guess the JBL waveguides are s'posed to be pretty good).

and/or spend some quality time at www.lansingheritage.org and the forums therein.