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Single Driver mini monitor ???

50.131.220.128

Posted on October 2, 2015 at 09:43:42
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999
I might be moving into a rather small condo in Seattle and I might have to "go small" on my audio rig. I can't see myself giving up my 2A3 mono blocks despite this change. My Cain and Cain "Abbys" have fostex 156 near field drivers (Forgive the spelling or the numbers)......anyway....is there such a thing as a fostex based monitor speaker. I'm thinking of dimensions H 12-14" x W 8" x D 10-12. Sorry guys...I'm a musician...I can't hammer two sticks together....so DIY isn't an option.

Any info gentlemen would be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Tom B.

 

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Teresonic Megus, posted on October 2, 2015 at 10:15:18
jnr
Reviewer

Posts: 2164
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Joined: April 5, 2000
Teresonic Megus
theaudiobeatnik.com

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor , posted on October 2, 2015 at 10:17:58
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: April 14, 2009
Ask Here:
http://www.planet10-hifi.com/
It's not unheard of that Complete Speakers can be supplied... if not, certainly decent info will be.

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 2, 2015 at 10:26:30
Caucasian Blackplate
Industry Professional

Posts: 8313
Location: Seattle
Joined: June 18, 2004
Clark Blumenstein is in Seattle and makes Fostex monitors. He also worked for Cain and Cain back when they were operating.

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 2, 2015 at 10:29:37
xcortes
Audiophile

Posts: 1221
Joined: July 23, 2003
Nt

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 2, 2015 at 10:30:26
xcortes
Audiophile

Posts: 1221
Joined: July 23, 2003
You beat me by a few seconds :)

 

Omega, Fritz, Tekton, posted on October 2, 2015 at 11:50:12
Sebrof
Audiophile

Posts: 634
Location: AusTX
Joined: July 12, 2002
You don't list a price range but all those guys sell high(er) sensitivity monitors. I haven't heard any of them.

 

RE: Omega, Fritz, Tekton, posted on October 2, 2015 at 13:04:01
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999
Ah yes....price range....that will depend on what I get from my inherited "Google" house. My sis and myself will be selling it in March. The prices are INSANE, but we don't know as of yet, how insane! We won't have to wait long. Places in Mountain View ( Googleville) take from 48 hours to 5 or6 days to sell. We will see. That will determine how much my budget will be. I'm a simple guy. I pour all my $$$ into audio (equipment and Vinyl) or acoustic steel string guitars and Classical guitars.

I think I'm a man with my priorities straight!!

Regards, Tom B.

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 2, 2015 at 16:13:32
freddyi
Audiophile

Posts: 3852
Joined: December 6, 2001
look up projects at Diyaudio's Fullrange forum - check out Triticum Audio - he can build anything and rates are extremely reasonable - consider a cheap 3116 amplifier (~$30 in a case) and 19v laptop supply (~$10)
Karlson Evangelist

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ??? A Big Thanks !!!!!, posted on October 2, 2015 at 18:39:40
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999
Wow....thanks everyone for all your takes on what I can checkout for my new North West home. I'm heartened by the apparent fact that I will not have to give up my flea powered SET ! I'm a hopeless tone freak and the 2A3 sound is what I've been in love with for 16 years, with my Paraglow mono blocks being my choice since 2001.

Thanks Again Gentlemen, Tom B.

 

Why?, posted on October 2, 2015 at 18:48:41
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16199
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 1999
The footprint of your Abbys is no more than a monitor on stands except for the height. Placement isn't going to be much different and a single driver monitor just won't have the bass response you've got now which isn't earth shattering anyway.

Perhaps it exists, but I can't say that I've ever heard a fostex based speaker than sounded as balanced as the Cains that wasn't big, most of them, huge.

-Rod

 

Agree..., posted on October 2, 2015 at 19:59:41
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
The Abby's were Terry's best work, at least in my opinion.




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: Why? This is what I'm thinking on that......, posted on October 2, 2015 at 22:33:30
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999
I agree with you to a great extant. I love my Abbys...both sonically as well as their stunning appearance. I was lucky enough to know Terry before he passed. The problem is that I'm probably going to find myself in a small place and I do need to bring some of my furniture into the picture you might say. For most of my life, I always had a music room with a single chair placed right in the sweet spot. The ports at the bottom of the Abbys will be totally blocked by my favorite couch and my line of 8 guitars. My bed room will be my storage room.....5,000 LPs, 2,000 books, and 3500 CDs. The bed will be placed in the center of the room. No room for guitars....that's why they'll be in the living/Music room.

With the smaller speakers on some stands, the sound won't be as compromised, because the ports will be higher up and not blocked by the furniture. I'll admit.....I've always had a powered sub in a corner...possible only about a foot from the walls. The furniture will not be blocking the sub to any great extant either.

LOl....I realize I could be totally out to lunch on my grand theory. If anybody out there has their sound system right in the middle of a very busy living room and they've found a way of not mucking up the soundstage, I'd be interested on how they pulled it off! I'm very open to ideas from this forum.

Thanks, Tom B.

 

depending on your needs, posted on October 3, 2015 at 06:21:44
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 15995
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2016
The little Fostex "Kanspea" kits really (honest) aren't bad at all.
No bass, of course, but pretty nice from, I dunno, 150 Hz on up.

Cheap too, and attractive if not exactly gorgeously crafted.

A pair lives here -- and even gets used, sometimes.

I don't doubt that the larger boxes from folks like Tekton and others are better overall (but they're 'spensiver, too).

049

yes, in the interest of full and complete disclosure, that is a very vintage soiled state integrated amp (quasi-complementary push-pull HH Scott LK-60) being used to power a pair of the 4" Fostex in this photo. They do work well with 2A3, too, though.

Would I kid you? :-)

all the best,
mrh

 

RE: Teresonic Megus, posted on October 3, 2015 at 07:29:23
acres verde
Audiophile

Posts: 722
Location: Big Easy
Joined: November 13, 2004
Jack, you really ought to read (and edit) what you write once in a while before you hit send.

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 3, 2015 at 08:14:48
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3350
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
September 4, 2000
I'll second Omega. Lots of happy owners over at their lively Audiocircle forum. Aside from that, I agree with Rod. Keep your current speakers until you're absolutely sure they won't work in your new setting.

 

RE: depending on your needs, posted on October 3, 2015 at 08:34:50
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999
Very cool indeed my man ! All those components have soul. I started out in high school with my dad's hand me down RR tape deck powered by a Scott valve amp. The TT came about two years later.

What I appreciate about this thread is that I have so many options to look into. All of it is premature at this point. Next spring my new music environment will become a reality and that's when I'll see if I can keep my existing sound system or I'll be changing over to something more appropriate. I do want to keep with my flea powered SET. Everything else will be guided by that personal priority.

Thanks Again, Tom B.

 

I have a Pair of Tekton Design......................., posted on October 3, 2015 at 14:06:25
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18251
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
May 16, 2021

They were called the 4.5..... Have a single 4.5 inch driver and are only 17 inches high. I can easily drive these with my 2A3 Moondogs. He does not have these on his website, but I think he has a 4.5 v2 underway.

I bought these Bubinga Finished ones for $500 for the pair about 7 years ago. they sound really wonderful.




 

2A3 gots serious soul :-), posted on October 3, 2015 at 18:16:44
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 15995
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2016
since it was barely visible in the previous post, figured I'd post a cheesecake shot (or two) of it :-)

Amp mit Westies
DSC_0263
all the best,
mrh

 

Tekton now offers a Mini Lore Monitor for $625 pair..., posted on October 3, 2015 at 18:59:27
This said, I agree with Rod in that the OP's current speakers will take up the same amount of floor space as stand mounted units.

Not certain what frequencies emit from the speaker ports, but if they are fairly low I don't see much of a problem with furniture et cetera.

 

RE: depending on your needs, posted on October 3, 2015 at 19:59:29
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8374
Joined: June 3, 2006
m, did you seriously mean it, the soiled state of the amplifier?

Cheers
Bill

 

soiled state = transistors, of course :-), posted on October 4, 2015 at 05:36:48
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 15995
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2016
As opposed to the clean, pure vacuum state.
Of course ;-)

Yes the LK-50 is solid state; fairly early ss, too -- thus the quasi-complementary configuration (i.e., the output is capacitor-coupled as there is a DC offset throughout the circuit all the way to the output).

That one was a) dirt-cheap (no pun intended) and is b) unrestored -- but it sounds surprisingly good.

Despite being chock full of transistors ;-)

all the best,
mrh

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 4, 2015 at 07:04:11
seikosha
Audiophile

Posts: 42
Location: USA
Joined: March 21, 2013
I've got a houseful of little single driver speakers. They just seem to accumulate...everything from Blumensteins to Mark Audios to Omega.

My favorite is Omega. Orca's are fun, but you can only get so much out of that little driver. I've got Mark Audio's in Pensil's and Fonken cabinets. Both are good, and depending on one's priorities I could see if someone preferred the MA's.

Keep that 2a3!

 

RE: 2A3 gots serious soul :-), posted on October 4, 2015 at 11:33:06
freddyi
Audiophile

Posts: 3852
Joined: December 6, 2001
my 20 some ugly 2a3 clunker is in the pile gathering dust - was pretty good with analog and Edgarhorn system - could not drive AR M1 even in near-field

a Dyna120 sounded better on my K-horns than some later solid scrape ;^)


Karlson Evangelist

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 4, 2015 at 19:40:41
Kipp
Audiophile

Posts: 142
Location: CA
Joined: June 5, 2005
Tangband D4-1. I think about $640 delivered for pair. For some reason, I have a hunch that these are good. Unfortunately, I've never heard them. Am very close to ordering a pair for myself. Anyone here have these?????


Dr. Feickert Blackbird w Reed 2A tonearm, Linn LP12, Ittok, Lyra Skala, Lingo, Garrard 301, Audio Note DAC 2.1, BeePre, Bottlehead Eros 2 phono stage, BottleHead Paramount 1.1 monoblocks, Altec A7 VOTT, Fostex 168FE sigma in Nagaoka folded horn

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 4, 2015 at 19:59:31
freddyi
Audiophile

Posts: 3852
Joined: December 6, 2001
a review
Karlson Evangelist

 

let me see if I've got this right, Freddy, posted on October 5, 2015 at 05:32:16
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 15995
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2016
You're not a big fan? :-)

Well... it all depends on one's taste

and

one's loudspeakers.

DSC_0240
all the best,
mrh

 

RE: let me see if I've got this right, Freddy, posted on October 5, 2015 at 13:36:20
freddyi
Audiophile

Posts: 3852
Joined: December 6, 2001
Beautiful room - - do I see helper tweeters ? - - - I like 2a3'a quite a bit (a favorite output for horns) - depends on the speaker. The weakest amp I bought was a Norh 6l6 - didn't realize it was triode tied 1.6W won't run a 99dB rated (mediocre Eminence) 15 coax in a K15. Somehow, my Heresy I which aren't the most efficient things do alright with with SE EL34. If music is good enough then it will survive a range of amplifiers - those little 3116 are good for 30 bucks. My clunker needs re-grounding - the long buss is tied at the IEC socket ground and probably should be hooked at the chassis right between the two RCA input sockets.
Karlson Evangelist

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 5, 2015 at 16:38:33
Kipp
Audiophile

Posts: 142
Location: CA
Joined: June 5, 2005
I saw that review- seems a bit inconclusive to me. "Quality construction"? Nice- but so is Audio Research- doesn't necessariy make it sound better. Could not find much else out there on the TangBands. I might buy some to find out.....
Dr. Feickert Blackbird w Reed 2A tonearm, Linn LP12, Ittok, Lyra Skala, Lingo, Garrard 301, Audio Note DAC 2.1, BeePre, Bottlehead Eros 2 phono stage, BottleHead Paramount 1.1 monoblocks, Altec A7 VOTT, Fostex 168FE sigma in Nagaoka folded horn

 

How About The Clairaudient 1+1's ???, posted on October 6, 2015 at 12:43:10
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
Tom have you checked out the Audience Clairaudient 1+1 speakers? I have a friend who used these or their larger Clairaudient 2+2 speakers. He actually started with the Clairaudient 2+2 speakers and switched to the Clairaudient 1+1 speakers! I personally use a Mastersound Reference 845 with Sachiko double-back-loaded horns. So I know how much you must love the sound of your Cain & Cain Abby's and how much you must dread moving down to a smaller set of speakers. But I have to tell you I was literally blown away by what I heard coming from these tiny Clairaudient 1+1 speakers. Those 3" fullrange drivers are amazing and when coupled to the passive radiators on the cabinet's sides, they make for some impressive lows from such a small enclosure! You really should look into these. I know you'd love how they sound and they are really small too...

I'm listening to: Dust & Dreams by Camel




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Why?, posted on October 6, 2015 at 13:01:01
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
Excellent point Rod! A friend loved my Sachikos, but once his wife heard about how tall they were, she killed the idea immediately. I told my friend to go home and ask his wife what she planned to hang over his speakers. When she responded "Nothing!" I told my friend to ask his wife if dimensions of 13W x 18D was too big and she responded "No!" So I told him to ask her: 1) if those dimensions are not too large and 2) if you aren't going to hang anything over my speakers. Then why can't they be 72" tall?

I was actually surprised when she eventually gave in to him and allowed him to build a pair of Sachikos. I was even more surprised to later learn she now loves the Sachikos and tells him they'll never leave the house! So Tom B. I now ask you the very same questions my friend asked his wife and Todd raised to you...

I'm listening to: Dust & Dreams by Camel




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: How About The Clairaudient 1+1's ???, posted on October 6, 2015 at 14:56:17
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18251
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
May 16, 2021
I don't think they're going to work with his 2A3 amps. They're 87db!



 

RE: How About The Clairaudient 1+1's ???, posted on October 6, 2015 at 19:19:40
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
Yes my friend you're absolutely 100% correct! A pair of 87dB sensitivity speakers with 2A3 amps probably won't play loud enough for Tom B. even in his small room. That's really a shame because those Clairaudient 1+1's speakers sound amazing, within the frequency spectrum they're actually covering AND surprisingly enough they even sound as amazing, within the more extended frequency spectrum they appear like they're covering...

By that, what I'm trying to say is these Clairaudient 1+1's speakers are either:

a) covering a much wider frequency spectrum than you'd believe they possibly could.

or else...

b) they're able to convincingly portray a sonic illusion that's capable of completely outwitting the listener into believing the Clairaudient 1+1's speakers are playing a more extended frequency spectrum than they actually can or are!

Either one of those two options would be acceptable to me! Tom B. how many watts does your 2A3-based amp have per channel? In The Absolute Sound review that I provided a link to below. The reviewer was able to play at "satisfying" volumes with a 13W amp.

Despite everything I've written in this post, I believe Cut-Throat is most likely correct in his assessment. It's just that for small, fullrange driver, speakers, I believe these are the very best I've heard so far. It would almost certainly take a pair of larger, horn-loaded, speakers like your Abby's to better these speakers. Too bad they just weren't more sensitive, huh?


I'm listening to: Night On Bald Mountain by Fireballet






Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 8, 2015 at 12:30:46
kbuzz
Audiophile

Posts: 660
Joined: November 11, 2000
I can vouch for the omega line. Would love to hear the tektons and blumenstiens though

 

RE: 2A3 gots serious soul :-), posted on October 11, 2015 at 09:07:35
Don Reid
Audiophile

Posts: 886
Location: Rural NW Georgia
Joined: February 2, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
April 1, 2010
I have owned and listened to numerous different tubed amps & preamps since 1972. For years I powered the mid range (actually wide range) and tweeters of my triamplified DIY horn speakers with Cary Audio 2a3 monoblocks. 2a3 SET amps sound very good. Then I found amps I like even better.

Now the mids and highs of the same speakers are amplified by a pair of Nelson Pass built First Watt F3 single gain stage, single ended, JFET SS amps. To my ears they have all the immediacy, tone richness and excitement of 2a3 SETs plus more.
I dream of an America where a chicken can cross the road without having it's motives questioned.

 

RE: How About The Clairaudient 1+1's ???, posted on October 12, 2015 at 10:16:02
chopper87@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 942
Joined: September 2, 2001
I can testify first hand that my PASS LABS First Watt SIT amps at 10 watts per channel were not nearly enough to drive the 2+2's to satisfactory volume levels. These little speakers are remarkably good sounding, but ARE NOT remotely high efficiency speaker systems.

 

Fibhorn might have a solution for you . . ., posted on October 23, 2015 at 16:45:45
Billy Wonka
Audiophile

Posts: 3750
Joined: April 25, 2013
Contributor
  Since:
October 15, 2013

I got a pair of Fibhorn 4's about six months ago and love the full-range sound of the four inch Tang Bands. The stock speakers sound good but I upgraded to TB's top four inch driver: W4- 1879. These little demons do go down to the 55hz range and yield a much richer sound than the stock ones. Of course, there is a difference of nearly $120 per speaker increase to make the swap. Then again, for $399 you could get just enclosure ready for you to install the driver you want.

So, Fibhorn 4's start at $499 + $300 for the 1879's. These speakers are perfect for small to mid-sized rooms. I ended up getting a Velodyne 6.5" subwoofer which to partner with the Fibs in both scale and quickness.

There are other Fibhorn options as well.

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 24, 2015 at 08:14:40
Serge_S
Audiophile

Posts: 112
Location: NYS
Joined: March 13, 2012
Inner Spirit v2 from unityaudio. No affiliation.

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ??? Omega !!!, posted on October 24, 2015 at 16:28:08
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999



Well, after all the input gentlemen, I've decided to keep the Abbys no matter what. I did really fall in love with Omega speakers and ended up purchasing a Deep Omega 12 sub woofer. Louis has just redesigned the sub and what I'll be getting is a sub with the 12" driver front loaded rather than bottom. On top of that, I'm getting the upgraded finish in EKO Ebony for no charge! It's characteristics are exactly what I'm looking for. It won't be getting down 18HZ or shake the foundations of my domicile. Instead, it will be very very fast and detailed without the typical bloating one finds in many conventional subs.

Thanks for turning me on to some great high efficiency speakers. I think I was won over by Louis at Omega. In the future I wouldn't be surprised if I pick up a pair of SUPER 7 MONITOR MK2s.

Regards, Tom B.

 

RE: 2A3 gots serious soul :-), posted on October 25, 2015 at 10:29:42
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999
It's a small world.....I have a Nelson Pass First watt F-5 rated at 25 watts per channel. What I really have is a DIY F-5 which is incredibly over built and measures 36 Watts per channel. The fellow who built it works for Nelson Pass on his side project....the First Watt amps. With all that said and as beautiful as it sounds I still prefer the 2A3 SET.

Tom B.

 

RE: Why?, posted on October 25, 2015 at 10:42:42
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999
So Tom B. I now ask you the very same questions my friend asked his wife and Todd raised to you...

I agree with you. I'm keeping the Abbys no matter what. Wherever I end up will have to have the space needed to place the low frequency ports without being blocked.

With all the tips I got from all you folks I ended up purchasing a gorgeous 12" front loaded sub from Louis at Omega speakers. It should match beautifully with my Cain pipes.

Regards, Tom B.

 

RE: How About The Clairaudient 1+1's ???, posted on October 27, 2015 at 21:21:14
thetubeguy1954
Audiophile

Posts: 6112
Location: Orlando, Fla
Joined: January 7, 2001
Hi Lance!

Thanks for clearing that up. I'd hate to steer someone wrong...


I'm listening to: My Favorite Things by Joey Alexander




Thetubeguy1954 (Tom)

Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society
Full-range/Wide-range Drivers --- Front & Back-Loaded Horns --- High Sensitivity Speakers


 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 31, 2015 at 04:10:20
bwaslo
Manufacturer

Posts: 245
Location: Portland, OR USA
Joined: September 10, 2006
If the ports get bo ked you'll lose some bass. If you go to small stand mounted monitors, you'll lose some bass. No reason to change it seems. Stay with what you like.
_

Make easy high performance diffusors:-->http://www.libinst.com/diffusers/Depot_Diffuser.html

Horn Design Spreadsheet:--> http://libinst.com/SynergyCalc/

SmallSyns:-->http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/292379-s

 

RE: Single Driver mini monitor ???, posted on October 31, 2015 at 11:37:40
Tom B.
Audiophile

Posts: 4355
Joined: October 5, 1999



I took a look at your Liberty page. It's quite impressive. I've book marked the article explaining your room diffusers. I might need something like that when I finally arrive at my next home, or should I say, when I arrive in my new listening room/ living room.

Thanks, Tom B.

 

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