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In Reply to: RE: Lowther on JE Lab OB posted by chopper87@aol.com on April 04, 2009 at 07:43:39
Chopper,
You are (mostly) correct about the service issue - though the Canadian importer can perform (at least) some basic, simple repairs and that's faster/cheaper than going across the pond. It does seem that most all of the wideband HE drivers are a bit fragile which is a shame.
The alnico Lowthers are certainly the best of the Lowthers. But, to me, unless a notch filter is used, or front-horn loading (as in the ingenious and wonderful Beauhorn), all Lowthers have that 'bite', and I can't tolerate it over time.
Not only does the Supravox driver not have any bite, it is actually even mellow, at least at lower voltages. Note that this does *not* mean it is flat or undynamic! It just means it is smooth and natural while also being dynamic - much like live, unamplified acoustic music.
I have heard that the alnico Supravox 215 sounds at least very close to the FC version. I don't know. If that's the case, it's Supravox's cone structure, and/or lack of a whizzer, that's responsible for it's flatter response and other characteristics.
However, since other field coils I have heard, using totally disparate technology otherwise (compression-driver horns) have that same sense of smooth, natural ease, I have to believe that technology itself is responsible for some part of their character. (And, in fact, I find it rather neat that these drivers give you a good measure of that Cogent sound at 10% or less of the price.)
Have you measured your baffles? Are they peaky in the 2-4 Khz region? Just curious. It may be that not all of the modern (rolled whizzer) Lowthers are peaky. I don't know.
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