4/28/2021 0 Comments Full Range Driver Open Baffle
Id start with the less expensive models and when you find a brand you enjoy purchase something more expensive.Perhaps the main reason I decided to build my own speakers was to reduce the amount of sibilance I heard in many commercially available designs.So I tried building speakers with extended and satisfying treble without this subtle but harsh artifact.
After many years of spending a lot of money on woofers, tweeters and crossover components, I came across (unfortunately, now defunct) and discovered fullrange drivers. Fullrange drivers were distinctive because they eliminated the crossover. Those capacitors, resistors and coils I used to swap in and out of crossovers in order to improve the sound were unnecessary. But I found that adding a helper tweeter with a very high (and simple) crossover was easy to build and sounded great. At the time, I credited the high crossover point (approximately 10kHz) with reducing sibilance. It sounded wonderful I loved the extended treble and full rich midrange. I was hooked I found that fullrange drivers, while not needing a crossover, needed a proper cabinet in order to maximize bass performance. While I wasnt a carpenter, Home Depot cut wood and a jig saw allowed me to cut holes. I bought several but primarily recall the 40-1197 and 40-1354 as my favorites. Range Open Baffle Upgrade And IFostex seemed to be an upgrade and I purchased the 127e, 168z (mentioned above) and 165k. I built several different cabinets for these and enjoyed them all. Of course, different cabinets made the speakers sound different balancing out the bass or not. Larger cabinets generally provided deeper bass (but not necessarily better bass). Im still working thru all the possible variations on my speaker building journey. ![]() Unfortunately, they are no longer being made (to my knowledge if anyone knows they are please let me know). Ive spent a lot of time listening to Lowther drivers at New York Stereo Shows. I usually purchase fullrange drivers and use them as is then determine if they are worth experimenting with for my very own greedy listening pleasure. Ive built many different cabinet designs and believe they all have their pros and cons. I couldnt say back horns are better than sealed boxes or ported is better than open baffle but I could say that each type of cabinet works differently depending on the room they are in. Its my opinion as a music lover that fullrange drivers stay out of the way of the music better than speakers using crossovers (I feel crossovers potentially and usually damage the sound). If you are interested in fullrange drivers but dont know where to start I suggest reading about them online to get an idea of how people characterize them (bright, warm, extended, forward, etc.) and purchasing a few from well established manufacturers.
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