Finished with S.E.X., what's next? [message #47028] |
Thu, 02 June 2005 21:28 |
Tommy
Messages: 1 Registered: May 2009
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Esquire |
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OK guys, who can convince me to build a PI speaker (2 PI tower?), rather than the FOSTEX recommended horn for the FE166? Just finished the 2W SET S.E.X. amp from Bottlehead. Like to listen to Jazz, Rock, Latin. Thx, Tommy
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I drive Theater 4 Pi's with my Paramours... [message #47035 is a reply to message #47028] |
Fri, 03 June 2005 11:18 |
GarlandGarland
Messages: 60 Registered: May 2009
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Viscount |
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...and highly recommend them for jazz, vocal, smaller scale rock and classical. Even with their +/- 100dB efficiency they aren't the best for larger scale rock and classical. You'd probably want more power for those. The 2 Pi's that I made for a friend are great as well, though a bit less efficient. The lack of a complicated crossover really helps here and makes these speakers a great combo with lower powered tube amps. The sound is different from the Theater 4's but very dynamic and just plain fun to listen to. May be better for rock since it doesn't try to go as low in the bass; making for a more punchy sound. Of course, all this is very personal and system/room dependent. My room is small at 11.5'x17.5'x 7.5'high. Good luck! Garland
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Re: Finished with S.E.X., what's next? [message #47036 is a reply to message #47028] |
Fri, 03 June 2005 12:36 |
elektratig
Messages: 348 Registered: May 2009
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Grand Master |
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Tommy, One practical consideration is that the 2 Pi towers -- or even the larger 4 Pis -- are going to be much easier to build than the Fostex-recommended horn (I assuming you're referring to the Fostex plan available at Madisound). They're just big boxes -- although to do them right, with proper bracing and finishing, you'll have plenty of opportunity to test out your woodworking skills. FWIW, my primary system consists of Welborne Laurels driving Pi 4s. The Laurels are 300B-based and so put out more power than the S.E.X., but with 8W I can fill the house with Mahler or Wagner -- or Frank Zappa.
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2 Pi tower plans, please? [message #47041 is a reply to message #47034] |
Fri, 03 June 2005 20:04 |
ThomasF
Messages: 6 Registered: May 2009
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Esquire |
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Wayne, Can you send me the 2 Pi tower plans, incl. crossover? And how much is shipping for 2 Kits (93905 Destination)? I live in the SF Bay Area/Monterey, not sure if there is anybody close by to hear some of your speakers, but I agree that would be the best. With the 2 PI towers, will I be able to 'see' the soundstage, and instruments? famfi@yahoo.com
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You've got mail! [message #47044 is a reply to message #47041] |
Fri, 03 June 2005 23:51 |
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Wayne Parham
Messages: 18783 Registered: January 2001
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Illuminati (33rd Degree) |
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I would describe two π towers as having an audiophile quality but with greatly increased dynamic range. The thing about most high-quality cone/dome two-way speakers is they are generally accurate on-axis and sonically neutral but they just seem so constricted. The high-efficiency two π tower speaker sounds much more open and unrestricted to me. It isn't that the response curve is particularly different than other similar audiophile speakers, because the two π tower has a very nice flat response curve. It's just that the efficiency is much higher, providing lots of dynamic range.The two π tower has a first-order crossover, and the crossover point is above the vocal range, so midrange is sweet and pure. Voices sound natural, as do other instruments like cello and piano that are so hard to get right. The -3dB point is 35Hz, so these speakers deliver unusually deep bass response too. The tweeter is crisp, but not unnnaturally so. It is a very refined speaker for such an inexpensive kit, in my opinion. The shopping cart will calculate shipping costs for you, and let you know before you pay. So you can use that feature to check the cost of these or any other π speaker products.
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