Posted by Martin [ 64.12.116.203 ] on February 16, 2004 at 13:58:03:
In Reply to: Re: Fostex 206 E drivers posted by Wayne Parham on February 16, 2004 at 13:13:37:
Hi Wayne,
There are many designs for Fostex drivers that don't use the additional filter that I use on all of my designs. But for BR type enclosures, and this includes TL's and TQWT's, I think that a little filtering really helps the SPL balance of the speaker and provides a great improvement. My personal opinion is that adding a filter corrects more problems then it creates. Yes, you loose some efficiency but the improved integration of the bass with the mid and high end is well worth this small negative. Many people will argue and resist trying the filter. I have had many private e-mail discussions with skeptics, but when they try the filter (it is easily reversible) almost every response is positive and the filter stays. You can over do the filter by using too large of a resistor value and then the life will be sucked out of the music. It takes some tweaking and listening.
The common arguement is that a minimalist system is the best and only way to true hifi. Very low wattage SET amp and a straight connection to the driver with no passive components. If it works for the individual that is great. My opinion is that people using these types of amps really paint themselves into a corner, there is no flexibility in the speaker design and the low power of the amp is dictating the entire system. I have played my Lowther ML TL's for a number of people using a solid state amp and have received very few real significant criticisms. Many were shocked at the clarity and range of the response.
My advice to anyone with a full range driver is to try the filter and see if it improves the system. It will need to be tweaked to get it just right. It is a relatively cheap and easily reversible modification. If you run out of power with a SET amp, borrow a solid state unit and see what can be achieved. Then decide. If you don't try you will never know.
Martin
PS TNT-Audio has an interesting article this week that is relavent to this discussion.