• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Open Baffle Epiphany!

The Alpha 15A will play fairly high for a woofer and they're really like a wide range woofer if there is such a thing. I wouldn't use them as mains but I know others do.

The H-frame Alpha's will extend past E at 41.2 Hz which is the lowest usable note on a double bass. F is 43 Hz. Many instruments can produce lower pedal tones but they're rarely used in music. Sometimes people confuse sound with music.
 
Poultrygeist said:
The Alpha 15A will play fairly high for a woofer and they're really like a wide range woofer if there is such a thing. I wouldn't use them as mains but I know others do.

The H-frame Alpha's will extend past E at 41.2 Hz which is the lowest usable note on a double bass. F is 43 Hz. Many instruments can produce lower pedal tones but they're rarely used in music. Sometimes people confuse sound with music.
Click to expand...

Ahhh but with much music made with electronics these days - that lowest note is nearly arbitrary (up to 20HZ I suppose... and then it's all about the feeling).

Might need to go lower...
 
I'm beginning to think that the "open baffles have no bass" discussions are a lot like the "tube amps distort sound" discussions.

There are many people more knowledgeable then I (almost everyone) who have measured values of each of these and without a doubt there is weakness in the bass of open baffles and horrible distortion with tube amps.

Open baffles are giving me first rate quality bass even if it is a little bit soft.
Tube amps are giving me natural sound even it is distorted.

I like the sound from open baffles and from tube amps even if it is all wrong when you measure it.

This sounds suspiciously similar to the "I don't know much about art but I know what I like" statement that I so despise.

Almost hate myself for saying it.


Trying to learn,
Art
 
Who was it that said: If it measures good but sounds bad - it is bad; but if it measures bad but sounds good - you're measuring the wrong thing?

To me all of audio is like that - if it sounds good to me - it is good. And OBs sound good.
 
cptnCanada said:
I'd have to agree about getting a different amp to power the FE103's.

Currently have my eyes on a 300B SET from Rapheliete that I would love to get my hands on. The DIY kit is in my price range!!

http://www.hifiwow.com/tube-amplifiers/raphaelite-sinovt-hi-end-6sj7-300b-se-single-ended-vacuum-tube-amplifier-amp-diy-kit-122.html

Must unload some surplus gear to fund it though! The VSX-D1S in the meantime does a stand up job - very under appreciated receiver!

Question to OB experts...How does bass stand up in open baffle? What are the benefits? I have read that it can be hard to get useable low bass from an open baffle unless you use a huge baffle, which would guarantee non-WAF speakers. I haven't determined what frequency the FE103s go down to in OB but I can tell there is a hole there right now between the sub (which max xover is 150hz) and the FE103's. The current setup is obviously temporary, but I was thinking maybe having the FE103's OB with vented woofers below, possibly bi-amped so I could use the 8W 300B for the FE103's and SS for the woofs?? Thoughts??

Thanks for the links above...some good reading I haven't seen yet about OB! This is definitely a road I am excited to go down!!:music:
Click to expand...

The GemTune 300B looks to be the same as the Raphaelite Sinovt 300B only cheaper and both are sold on Amazon. There's an interesting review of the GemTune on Youtube. Here's the Amazon link.

http://www.amazon.com/GemTune-Ampli...&qid=1389785224&sr=8-3&keywords=300b+tube+amp
 
These Karlsons are an intriguing type of open baffles. A few years ago I passed on a chance to buy some nice original Karlson cabs for $10. I was too uniformed then to know what they were. There's also a poorly lit youtube of the Beta12LTA ( one of my favorites ) in a Karlson cab. The sound even on cheap PC speakers is pretty good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWnKpr4coPE
 
I'm still planning on joining the OB game sometime this year. I have a pair of speakers to flip to finance the move, so hopefully I'll be joining you guys :yes:. I'm going to use the 12TRXB's from 200Hz on up powered by my SET, and either Alpha 15A H-Frames, or Goldwood 1858 H-Frames for bass duties with an active crossover and sub amps. The Goldwoods aren't that much bigger than the Alpha's, and have an F3 of 22Hz. Should match well to my musical choices.
 
BadassBob said:
I'm still planning on joining the OB game sometime this year. I have a pair of speakers to flip to finance the move, so hopefully I'll be joining you guys :yes:. I'm going to use the 12TRXB's from 200Hz on up powered by my SET, and either Alpha 15A H-Frames, or Goldwood 1858 H-Frames for bass duties with an active crossover and sub amps. The Goldwoods aren't that much bigger than the Alpha's, and have an F3 of 22Hz. Should match well to my musical choices.
Click to expand...

Do it my friend and you won't look back.
 
I hope to be on board soon as well. Was thinking seriously of gutting those Insignias with the coaxial driver, slinging them into something, see what they'll do. They can handle gobs of power, and I could always use an active sub for the below 80hz stuff.

Don't know what I should try first, but I'm loving this thread, and cannot wait to get started.
 
onwardjames said:
I hope to be on board soon as well. Was thinking seriously of gutting those Insignias with the coaxial driver, slinging them into something, see what they'll do. They can handle gobs of power, and I could always use an active sub for the below 80hz stuff.

Don't know what I should try first, but I'm loving this thread, and cannot wait to get started.
Click to expand...

I've thought about harvesting the drivers from one of my 3 pairs of Insignia's as well. They sound mighty good, the main weak points being the cabinet and crossover.
 
heck I think we all must have Insignias stashed away. When they went for $40 a pair I couldn't hold back. It won't hurt to try with bass support.
 
Poultrygeist said:
heck I think we all must have Insignias stashed away. When they went for $40 a pair I couldn't hold back. It won't hurt to try with bass support.
Click to expand...

I started with one pair for $40, and bought a pair for my brother and a pair for a friend. They made their way back to me when they upgraded. I treated the cabinets on the pair I use for my desktop. Filled in the slots with Bond-o, put a layer of Peel 'n Seal, and lined them with fiberglass insulation. They sound plenty good now.
 
BadassBob said:
I started with one pair for $40, and bought a pair for my brother and a pair for a friend. They made their way back to me when they upgraded. I treated the cabinets on the pair I use for my desktop. Filled in the slots with Bond-o, put a layer of Peel 'n Seal, and lined them with fiberglass insulation. They sound plenty good now.
Click to expand...

Mine had the crossover mod that levels out the spikes, and tames that hump in the bass.. with lots of power, they're pretty impressive. Braced and puttied up that box, and for what they are, they're impressive.

They're not anywhere near as accurate as my Andrew Jones Pioneer's, but they do have a good sound. Since I'd rather not dismantle the box yet again, Badass Bob, if you do, please post us the results. With that coaxial design, I wonder how they'd do in an OB situation.

Times like this when I miss Zilch.
 
You see examples of single drivers in open baffles like big Altecs but few can go it alone. It makes all the difference in the world to add pro woofers to open baffles.
 
This thread is really giving me motivation to put another pair of speakers for sale to finance my OB transition. Damn you guys! I love you and all, but damn can you be a bad influence :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom