I've seen discussions on FE103's, FE103E's, RS1197's in BR, Voigt Pipes, TL and back horns, but nothing really on this driver. I'm leaning toward the back horn Fostex recommends for the FE103E. Kinda wish Madisound made a flat pack kit it . . .

• Brines Acoustics

John

The Buschhorn Mk2 is the one option I forgot to mention. I'm sitting here looking at the plans for the Fostex plan and the Buschhorn Mk2, and it seems to me that the Buschhorn is probably ahead on several fronts:

1) They're taller - 39" vs. 33" - which would put them much closer to seated ear level.

2) They're simpler! 22 parts to the Fostex, 13 for the Buschhorn

3) Less "kinky". The back wave in the Fostex makes a 180 degree turn and returns to the front before making the 90 downward. The Buschhorn just runs to the back and makes the 90. All the turns in the Fostex are square. The horn doesn't so much flare as it gets bigger in jumps as it goes around corners. The Buschhorn flares and looks a lot smoother.

4) The Fostex mouth is in front; the Buschhorn in back. I would think the Buschhorn in a corner or near a rear wall would have better bass reinforcement.

On the other hand, it appears that the horn length is longer on the Fostex, which is said to be tuned to 50hz. I'll have to look for that info on the Buschhorn.

On the whole, I think I'm leaning toward the Buschhorns, from what I can see on paper, and we all know how dangerous that is!

Sending payment on the drivers as soon as I have shipping charges (from Canada). May go air if it's not too dreadful. As Carly Simon sang, "An-ti-ci-pay-ay-tion . . ."

Yes, I've read the discussions, but thought I'd give them a whirl as a small cheap experiment, as opposed to the huge expensive experiment with the TADs/JBLs. I'm hoping that the lack of a whizzer cone and the addition of a phase plug may sort some of that out, to say nothing of the alnico magnets. There's also a filter approach to the peak.

Worst comes to worst, I may put them in a Tractrix horn and use them for midrange only.

Thanks for the input!

John

In the chasing of this notion I've fallen over a guy who specializes in this sort of beast - sells wooden phase plugs for various FR drivers, has damped the basket and magnet structure, etc. He favors the BD design which uses 2 per cab, one firing upward and back @ 45degrees. Interesting stuff on his site about various obscure tweeters as well. I may run these FR and augment with the TAD 1602, depending on how the things sound alone.

I'm sure they do have higher WAF than Karlsons, or my TAD beasts! LOL.

Look forward to experimenting!