This is a stacked Oris 150 Horn system with Fostex 208E Sigma full range drivers, a Fostex T90 tweeter with a Hovland music capacitor, cardas binding posts and separate bass towers utilizing 16" Fostex drivers.
The horn frame consists of a rigid 3" X 1" back powder coated steel structure which is adjustable. The bass modules are constructed with 2" MDF and finished with an Italian laminate color-matched to the Horns. The bass modules sit on a black powder coated steel subframe with adjustable spikes into the floor.
The system is essentially cross-over less, with only the single Hovland cap per side rolling off frequencies from the mid treble on down.
The four Oris horns and Fostex 208E’s are then run full range. The bass modules kick in at around 185 HZ or so. You’ll need a good bass amp and an adjustable XO. I found that the Anthony Gallo Reference subwoofer amp is a good and affordable match for the bass modules. It’s adjustable up to 200hz, has volume and phase adjustment, with a built-in hefty 160w amp. I have a near new Reference Subwoofer amp that I can let go for $750.
So all you need now is a good low powered SET amp to drive the horn towers.
I’ve experimented a little with amps, and what I’ve found is that the speakers are just completely transparent in their ability to deliver subtle changes in the equipment upstream.
I’m currently using Cary 2A3 SE monoblocks, that put out a massive 5 watts per channel and sound very nice with the Oris system. They have that 2A3 harmonic richness in spades and are surprisingly dynamic. I also use a special 300b tube that’s interchangeable with the 2A3, and this sounds very nice with the Oris horns also. (The Cary 2a3 amps with 300b tube options are also for sale, but not until the horns are sold.
Switching to a 30watt/channel EL34 based PP amp, the speakers are capable of dynamics that will pin you in your seat!
They throw an incredibly large soundwave, with good delineation of elements in the stage, great depth, height and width. HF extension is whatever your amps and front end are capable of, with good partnering equipment the HF is sweet and completely lacks any listening fatigue.
Midrange is just what you feed into it….clear, open, depending on your amps. You’ll need to experiment with toe-in, since there’s definitely an optimal position where you loose the horn colorations and the sound becomes more natural.
The bass is infinitely adjustable through placement of the bass modules and adjustment of the crossover. I’ve tried the bass modules on the inside and outside of the horn towers and they sound great both ways.
It’s hard to imagine such a large speaker system ‘disappearing’, but with careful placement, these horns completely disappear and create a large image slightly behind the plane of the drivers. They do not have to be played loud to fill an average room with a big sound field. If you want to play loud, no problem, they’ll hit 110+ db without even breaking a sweat.
These speakers are a custom designed system built to order. Since there are essentially no crossovers, other than a pair of caps, and the Fostex drivers are readily available from a wide number of outlets, there is no issue as far as any future repair or driver replacement.
The speakers look gorgeous in their Italian marble finish, there are some minor nicks and bumps that are just a consequence of moving such a large system but they in no way detract from their beauty.
Yes you’ll need a bit of space for these guy’s, my room is 16.5 X 22.5 and they work well on the short wall, though another couple feet would be nice!
Why am I selling? - I'm getting out of this hobby before it kills me.
I will not ship these but I’ll work with you on transportation. Take a trip to Green Lake WI (about 3 hrs from Chicago) for a listen, and we’ll work out delivery options.
Please email with questions.
Pictures at
http://www.newaudiosociety.com/projects/horn-system.htm
