loth? other suggestions?build my own?

[iluvlesta]

i've got a audionote kit1, about 10 watts. i'm now looking for speakers to match. i've only just finished the kit and so now i'm on the speaker trail. i will audition obviously but does anyone have any suggestions for bookshelf speakers in a 3m x 3m x 2.5m room. ( i know its tiny!)

i'm going to listen to some loths x ion1, wilmslow audio (DIY)is just up the road, i can't afford Zingali's. is there anything alse anyone could suggest?

thanks

 

[Londondecca]

How about AN speakers or maybe some horns

 

[iluvlesta]

that was the other alternative and the only way to try the AN's would be to get the rep round for a home visit which i suppose would be ideal.

could i find horns to fit in a room of that size? i don't want something that is totally outsized?

 

[Paul Williams]

How are your carpentry skills? With Wilmslow "up the road" you could buy a pair of Fostex FE126E's at £30 each +VAT. As this 93db/w unit is full range, no crossover will be required.

https://secure.wilmslow-audio.co.uk/acatalog/Wilmslow_Audio_Fostex_FE_Series_145.html

and put them into a (Fostex) bass reflex cab (simple build) or their horn/reflex hybrid (more complex).

http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/speaker_comp/pdf/recom_enclose/fe126e_encl.pdf

I've no idea how it will sound, but the bass reflex unit could be put together for around the £100 mark including drive units.

It all depends how much you are willing to spend - given you are even considering AN's & Lowthers, this points to quite a bit as neither are cheap. As such you could consider many other higher efficiency speakers, which depending on your listening levels and preferred types of music, offering's from Revolver, Focal and the like have speakers in the high 80's to low 90db/w or try Icon Audio

http://www.iconaudio.co.uk/pdf/Products/Product-PM6-2005.pdf

Paul

 

[iluvlesta]

i have been toying with the idea of full range. and for about 100 i might as well have a go!!

not only is wilmslow audio up the road, but icon audio is about the same distance the other way!!

it's time for me to audition and pick some brains

thanks

 

[Londondecca]

The Audio Note speakers with 98dB could be a very interesting match http://www.hificollective.co.uk/kits/speakerhome.html

 

[iluvlesta]

yes they do look tasty, but my room is tiny!! (see first message).

to be honest i think with the room size it's really not going to matter that much about the speakers. i'm not going to be able to get far enough away from them to get any sort of effect. they are going to have to sit on the wall as i'm going to have a desk in there. although i do like the look of the fostex home made horns and at that price i won't be too upset if they don't offer what i'm after.

its the zingali overture 1's that really tempt me, but not at that price!!
http://www.zingali.it/images/over/o-1-angol-front-big.jpg
http://www.zingali.it/welcome.htm

 

[Paul Williams]

i have been toying with the idea of full range. and for about 100 i might as well have a go!!

not only is wilmslow audio up the road, but icon audio is about the same distance the other way!!

it's time for me to audition and pick some brains

thanks

Well I think the Fostex reflex cab & drivers should be easy to build, but if you're more confident, the horn/reflex hybrid looks interesting and I would expect it to sound & project better. From what I've read and heard expect them to be very directional though. Build both and let us know how they compare! I wouldn't expect it to be in the same class as the Lowther based Icon speakers, but I think these would be far to sensitive with a 10watt amp in your situation . I priced the Fostex horn unit out at under £150. I was thinking of building these to use with a 2A3 based SET amp with a max output of about 3 watts, my room is 18' x 11'. How about going much more mainstream and audition a pair of Kef iQ1's (88db/w) and the uni-Q driver will give great imaging in a small room. To quote from the add "....a rich, expansive soundscape in a smaller room without compromising sonic accuracy...." I've got to say in your situation I'd probably go down this route, have a look see. Can you set the output of the amp for 4ohms as these dip quite low?

http://www.kef.com/qseries/products.htm

Happy hunting

Paul

 

[Nic Rhodes]

The KEF Q range are an awkward load and don't work well here. I would go lowther personally and make a tall slim box.