New to single drivers- Zigmahornets

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S Clark

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New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« on: 11 Apr 2010, 06:32 am »
One of our students finished a pair of Zigmahornets over the last couple of days.  Having never really heard much in the way of single driver speakers, I was floored at what these little Merrill drivers can do.  Incredible vocals, incredible depth of soundstage, great imaging, very good detail, and the bass is actually reasonably adequate- all from about a 3" cone.  Add a sub, and it makes a very high quality system.  I'm very impressed. :bowdown:

Wind Chaser

Re: New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« Reply #1 on: 11 Apr 2010, 06:54 am »
I was under the impression that those little Merrrill drivers were no longer available?

Scottmoose

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Re: New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« Reply #2 on: 11 Apr 2010, 11:38 am »
Not AFAIK, although there are probably still a few kicking around.

OTOH, as the Zig. was actually designed for the Fostex 103, the various versions of that mean that at least there is another option for those who want to build a pair.

Mr Content

Re: New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« Reply #3 on: 11 Apr 2010, 11:53 am »
Merrill drivers can still be had, you need to ask around a lot though, but all I have heard of these drivers is very good.

Mr C :thumb:

S Clark

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Re: New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« Reply #4 on: 11 Apr 2010, 01:01 pm »
I was under the impression that those little Merrrill drivers were no longer available?

These were a donation from KCI-John for the Jr. Audiophiles.  We even have another pair that we will use next year, but I'd like to buy another pair to make for my daughter.  Have any of you guys built the Fostex versions?

Scott

doorman

Re: New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« Reply #5 on: 11 Apr 2010, 02:28 pm »
Single drivers do some things soo well!
Don

Gopher

Re: New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« Reply #6 on: 14 Apr 2010, 05:49 pm »
I gave my brother a pair of these with Merrill drivers that I found on DIYaudio very cheaply.  They are very competent and musical speakers.  More coherent, refined sound than my Cain & Cain Abbys, but no bass to speak of. 

planet10

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Re: New to single drivers- Zigmahornets
« Reply #7 on: 15 Apr 2010, 07:46 am »
A lot of people get fasinated by the shape & visual presentation of the ZigmaHornet. The DCA4 does well in any box that is big enuff not to create a too big a bump at the bottom. Free air measured Q was ~1 (based on 4 units). The baskets are really flimsy, but they have a really sexy high clay content cone finish. They sound decent.

There are quite a few decent small FRs available. I haven't heard all the candidates but of the ones i have the best bang for the buck are probably the Mark Audio CHR70 or the CSS EL70 (built by Mark Audio). These are both capable of 9 octaves and aren't picky about amps (like for instance the Fostex are). The price you pay for that is not very high efficiency (althou they bracket the DCA4 in that spec).

As for the the FE103 & the X-hornet, you can get as much bottom out of Tony G's Solo 103 (and less ripple thru the upper bass/lower mids).

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Solo103.html



dave