Hemp News?

Brad · « **on:** 23 Jun 2005, 04:27 pm »

Louis,

Any news on when you're going to start shipping the hemp drivers in the 2 sizes?

Louis O · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jun 2005, 02:30 pm »

Hi Brad,

I'm really sorry about the lack of news and posts regarding the new 8” drivers. The manufacturer really held things up because of a little peakiness up top. I heard it too and I was waiting to hear back about it.

The drivers are very good and one of the best I've heard. They have a clarity to them that is very hard to describe. I have them in a pair of prototype cabinets and after the break in period; they are the best I've made. To describe the sound is pretty hard, but they are very much like Super 3s with a bit more treble and a ton more bass. The response in my room goes down to 44Hz and up to 18KHz. The imaging and soundstage is what really surprised me. Knowing that larger full range drivers can be a bit beamy, these really disappear and have a huge soundstage. This has much to do with the new mods I've done and also building in a bit of a tilt to the cabinet.

Getting back to the driver. I took the matters into my own hands and now I've modded second prototype to a point where it's amazing. I concentrated on the balance and now it's very even and the way I was hoping for. The drivers’ foundation is excellent and this was the only thing that I was trying to solve. I worked on the dustcap, wizzer and the backwave of the basket.

Now it looks like the manufacturer wants to incorporate the mods to the drivers. I may do this or do them myself here at the shop.

They are saying about 14 days for the 8s. The 4.5" are really under development and this may take a little while longer. I will get more info on these soon.

Thanks again,
Louis

powerbench · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Jun 2005, 10:40 am »

Thanks for the post Louis,we are all looking forward to the results.I love the Minime's but a highher effiency floorstander with greater extension would be awesome.It be interesting to see it in a multi purpose role.
I ran some Totem arros with a 25 watt Soundstage (very rare amp and inexpensive) hybrid tube integrated for a long time and the soundstage was sooooooo good

i sold my NAD HT receiver setup and watched movies over 2 channel,it was that satisfying!!Be nice to get that effect again with the ClariT setup,again some DVDs maybe too transparent or bright but what the heck it be nice to experiment LOL and spend more money.

Louis O · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Jul 2005, 01:33 am »

Hi Brad,

Looks like the 8" drivers are almost done and they will be shipping out in the second week of July. I did get into contact with the factory today about the 4.5" and the new baskets. They did finally finalize a new basket and I got the specs. They are really good and from what they say a drop in replacement. This was the news I was waiting for because the old basket was larger. Now it should be very easy to drop in the new drivers to existing cabinets. They are going to be made of stamp steel and the look is very nice. Tooling for cast was way to expensive. So no I just have to give it the go ahead.

These will work in all the configurations of the Super 3s. So 1.5 way floorstanders will work as well as BPCs. A mini floorstander would be something I would like to offer.

HT in 2 channel works great and I set up a system for my parents this way. Sounds really good and very simple too. This floorstander will be pretty tiny like the Arro.

Also I'm working on a sealed box single driver and I will have more on this very soon. It will be in the Lotus line and Vinnie will get the first pair.

Thanks again,
Louis

maxwalrath · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Jul 2005, 01:36 am »

Louis, how about the 33's? how much does sensitivity go up, and do you have an estimate of cost per driver yet?

Brad · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Aug 2005, 09:27 pm »

Louis - any news on the hemp front?

Perhaps the Tonetubby people got a little busy 'sampling' their product?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Aug 2005, 06:39 pm »

Quote from: Brad

Louis - any news on the hemp front?

Perhaps the Tonetubby people got a little busy 'sampling' their product?

Hi Brad,

You want some news? ....HERE is some news!

http://www.redwineaudio.com/Omega_HempTone_Compact_8.html

Just got the pics today from Louis...

Cheers!

Brad · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Aug 2005, 06:48 pm »

Vinnie - your link says "sneak preview"

Does this mean the hemps will be shipping 'soon' or they are already going out to customers?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Aug 2005, 06:54 pm »

Quote from: Brad

Vinnie - your link says "sneak preview"

Does this mean the hemps will be shipping 'soon' or they are already going out to customers?

Hi Brad,

I just fixed the wording...thanks for letting me know.

They are going out to customers now. Louis will be online tonight to answer questions.

Thanks,

Brad · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Aug 2005, 07:19 pm »

Good news.
I really like the teak finish......

Louis O · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 01:42 am »

Many thanks Vinnie for posting the new HempTones.

Hi Brad,

They are shipping out right now. I got in a small batch and they are shipping out and the next batch of drivers is coming in. The new mods make a huge difference especially around the wizzer cone. Break in is important, but they sound really good out of the box. The speaker is a sealed and vented design, so placement is very easy. I'm getting very strong bass in both modes. They new style cabinet looks great and I hope to get more pictures of the other finishes taken very soon.

Thanks again,
Louis