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High Efficiency Speaker Asylum Need speakers that can rock with just one watt? You found da place. |
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High Efficiency Speaker Asylum Need speakers that can rock with just one watt? You found da place. |
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In Reply to: Older speakers posted by tolson on February 9, 2004 at 16:19:30:
You are on a difficult quest. Relatively high efficiency speakers have not been the norm since the early seventies. You are correct in your concern over shipping costs. Given that, there are a few things to look for. Generally, avoid speakers with large woofers in small cabinets, speakers with more than 3 drivers or those with multiple midrange and tweeter drivers, and dome tweeters. Try to stick with ... well, just the opposite. Speakers with small woofers in large cabinets, 2-way or at most 3-way, 2 or 3 drivers max, and a cone or horn tweeter. Realize that foam surrounds will probably need to be replaced. Kits for surround replacement are available, but if you are not familiar with this procedure or talented handyman, you probably will want to have a professional do the work.What are some good ones to look for? It depends on your preferences, what characteristics you value most (like imaging, low tonal coloration, macro and micro dynamics, deep bass, etc.), and on the colorations/compromises you are willing to live with. I could recommend the Eico HFS-1, Jensen Duette, Electrovoice Esquire 200, or Altec 892A, but you may prefer a different set of values . These are all relatively high efficiency designs, with good dynamics and a 'musical' presentation, but with what many would consider to be rather tonally colored sound. They also have limited extension at the frequency extremes, but enough bandwidth to enjoy the music. If you are young, you will probably miss some air and HF detail.
If you have some wood working skills (say enough to make a butt jointed enclosure), you could purchase current or vintage drivers. This approach will get you the most performance for a given expenditure, and with much lower shipping costs. You should check the 'project' area at the Single Driver Forum for DIY designs.
Perhaps others will recommend some favorite vintage speakers within your budget.
Most of the Japanese offerings were relatively high efficiency designs, but most of them were 4, 5 or 6 way, with as many drivers as could be physically placed on the front panel (or so it seemed). I actually have to admire the engineers who designed these - it simply amazes me that they sound as good as they do, given the problems inherent in such a design.
Regards,
Bob
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- Re: Older speakers - AstroSonic 02/10/0417:27:14 02/10/04 (0)
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