Single driver right for a prog metal head?

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heywaj10

Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« on: Yesterday at 01:20 pm »
As the thread title says, I'm a predominantly prog metal listener (though I'll range through just about anything as the mood requires). The sound that I look for is tight, articulate, "tasty" bass/mid-bass (quality over quantity for sure), natural and effortless/organic midrange, and a smooth treble response that is not glary or bright.  Over the years I've come to realize that I am really treble sensitive, and do not have much tolerance for peaky treble.  This often times is a battle with my primary genre of music, as there is a lot going on with guitars, cymbals, etc.. So in the end, I'm willing to give up absolute treble detail and airiness if I can get the remainder of the bandwidth "right".

For a point of context, I recently fell in love with the sound of the Mofi Sourcepoint 8. It gave me the midbass/midrange/treble response I have been looking for, while offering that point source imaging excellence, and a great soundstage.  Those speakers really ticked off almost every single box, except price. At new prices, those speakers are simply too far out of my range.  Really, I'm thinking $1,500 is the max (before tax, shipping). Most of the typical speakers you will find in a good hifi shop seem to leave me disappointed in one or more areas, and the Sourcepoint 8 is the first speaker in as long as I can remember that left me feeling truly excited.

My listening space is a larger open concept living/dining/kitchen area, somewhere around 20'x30' with 10' ceilings. That being said, when I'm doing my dedicated music listening sessions, I pull the speakers way into the room at about 5' from the couch and 5-6' apart from each other.  I need to keep it to standmount/bookshelf speakers only.  Source is AppleTV 4K into an Arcam SA20 for power.

I've had my eyes on Omega Speakers for a long time, but admittedly have questioned their capability due to the small driver sizes to play fullrange sound.  I will be using a subwoofer to provide low end response, so I'm not worried about speakers delivering the lowest octave, but I do want speakers that can deliver fast, dynamic, and clean midbass.  Am I asking for too much at my price range, or is Omega a great option?  Are there other non-DIY options that I'm not aware of as well?

Thanks!

FullRangeMan

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #1 on: Yesterday at 01:26 pm »
Check the Lii Audio F15 or F18 for a OB panel, they are your best option.
The F15 also have a BR BOX plan on the Lii Audio site.

The best sound quality you can get are crossoverless speakers, mainly in transparency and soundstage.

Solarflares

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #2 on: Yesterday at 02:13 pm »
The Tannoy System 10 DMT mk2 is a great quality point-source unit for you. Slightly large though for what you want, at 56cm high.
But it will handle high-level transients with ease. Very popular hip-hop studio speaker.  The treble rolls off nicely for what you want. Very low distortion. Almost zero-fatigue.
Prices well under a grand.
They’ll crank Death Metal, Industrial Machinery BiPolar Suicide Jazz, or a Road-Resurfacing Sonic-Grudge Orchestra all day!  They’ll even play music!  Lol

The Tannoy System 8 NFM11 is a smaller,  but similar design driver, and definitely no slouch. Around $400-$500 (46cm high). That would do everything you want.

Both mk2 models will work well with a sub, and even give you good bass on their own, with clear lo-mid definition, polite but firm high-mids, with a sweet upper-end.

I use System 12 DMT mk1’s and often crank some Kings X through them, with no sub. They play me out of the room at 300W a side with full level.

Here’s the 8’s.  Honestly - they really are good.



« Last Edit: Today at 12:59 am by Solarflares »

seikosha

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #3 on: Yesterday at 02:53 pm »
While I’m a big fan of single driver speakers, I’d be pretty hesitant to recommend them to someone with your music preferences.  I’d strongly recommend that you try to listen to some before making a purchase.  They can tend to fall apart when the music gets louder and more complicated compared to conventional systems.  That said, Zu speakers do that genre best out of all the SD speakers I’ve heard.

Bodhi

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 03:05 pm »
@Heywaj10, Do you have a budget in mind for speakers?

FullRangeMan

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #5 on: Yesterday at 07:32 pm »
Iam surprised to see suggestions of your favorite two-way crossover speakers, please avoid it, this is the Single Driver Circle.
Thanks

Solarflares

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #6 on: Yesterday at 07:44 pm »
Iam surprised to see suggestions of your favorite two-way crossover speakers, please avoid it, this is the Single Driver Circle.
Thanks
His post stated that the Mofi Soundpoint 8 was the perfect speaker for him, except price.
It is a point-source dual-concentric obviously.
With his musical and auditory preferences in mind, I’m simply giving him a sweet superior-sounding and way cheaper alternative to his dream speaker.


If it makes you happy, my all-time favourite speakers were a pair of 7”x4” Alnico Elacs, in a mono portable record player. Which had a single-ended 2W valve amp with Mullards.

FullRangeMan

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #7 on: Yesterday at 09:52 pm »
They can tend to fall apart when the music gets louder and more complicated compared to conventional systems.
This happen with all FR driverss that have small power handling, usually due the traditional paper voice coil. In case of hi power handling are need may be used pro-audio FR drivers as Beyma 12GA50 with 102dB, 250W/500W and Kapton VC, around €115. Pro-audio FR drivers are surprisingly cheap, no audiophile prices.
https://www.beyma.eu/pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/beyma-speakers-data-sheet-full-range-12GA50-112614.pdf

FullRangeMan

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #8 on: Yesterday at 10:07 pm »
My listening space is a larger open concept living/dining/kitchen area, somewhere around 20'x30' with 10' ceilings.
Your large room seems well suited to a big cone FR driver.
You may like to see the Lii Audio F15 page, only $399 pair, not each.
https://www.lii-song.com/product/recommended-15-full-range-speaker-driver-for-music-loudspeaker-with-tube-amplifier-f-15-in-pair/

F18, $520 pair, not each.
https://www.lii-song.com/product/one-pair-18-inch-full-range-speakers-superb-scale-soundstage-with-new-imaging-f-18/

Independent site review, no sponsors>
http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/lii-audio-f15.html

http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/lii-audio-f18.html

FullRangeMan

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #9 on: Yesterday at 10:42 pm »
Info about the SPL and power handling you will have in your room.
F15 = 97.2dB x ?   (with 2 speakers in the room add + 3dB).

F18 = 97.8dB x 40Wrms/80W program (with 2 speakers in a room add + 3dB).
« Last Edit: Today at 12:32 am by FullRangeMan »

Solarflares

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #10 on: Yesterday at 10:54 pm »


heywaj10

Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #11 on: Yesterday at 11:08 pm »
Your large room seems well suited to a big cone FR driver.
You may like to see the Lii Audio F15 page, only $399 pair, not each.
https://www.lii-song.com/product/recommended-15-full-range-speaker-driver-for-music-loudspeaker-with-tube-amplifier-f-15-in-pair/

F18, $520 pair, not each.
https://www.lii-song.com/product/one-pair-18-inch-full-range-speakers-superb-scale-soundstage-with-new-imaging-f-18/

Independent site review, no sponsors>
http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/lii-audio-f15.html

http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/lii-audio-f18.html


So while I do appreciate the cost savings options with these FR drivers, I also did mention that I'm looking for non-DIY options. Unfortunately, I do not have the tools, materials, skills, knowledge or time to be making my own speakers - even if they are single-driver designs. This is why I was originally looking into Omega, as they are nicely designed finished products that have options in my budget range. Likewise, I need to stick with standmount (ideally bookshelf) speakers. I have stands but they are standard single-pillar stands.

By the responses so far, though, it appears I may be looking in the wrong area for a solution - unless there are other options that I'm not aware of yet.

Solarflares

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #12 on: Yesterday at 11:18 pm »
  I need to keep it to standmount/bookshelf speakers only. 
OP might wish to rethink. Any change can be difficult, and dragging ourselves away from preconceptions and subconcious bias cues can be very hard. But in this case it’s worth the effort, and you already obviously thought about it a little bit.  You asked about full-range in the right place, so here we all are - with all the info you could wish for, and the desire to help a fellow music-lover, with an interest in good, big sound.
 I used original K-Rok passive studio monitors on adjustable stands for many years, and they were great for recording/mixing at home. But when I upgraded from 6.5” to 12” drivers to move some real air, I thought about it for all of 5 seconds, then the single-post stands were given away to a charity shop. I started with solid concrete blocks, but now have retro Partington stands - on concrete.
The K-Rok’s look like toys to me now - and they are. I’m now moving big air. My mental bias has shifted completely, and I could not go back to a small 100W driver in a shoe-box - sitting on a ski-pole!

I like the smaller tilted baffles pictured. Easy to move those around if needed, but they’ll fill any 20’x30’ room with an airy presence, and good bass - with enough mid detail.
Show these pics to any woodworker/furniture-maker. He’ll order your wood of choice, and he’ll knock them up in a couple of hours.  A simple light stain and job done.  No real time or effort involved.  If you can’t be arsed, or are just plain lazy, then tell me now, and I’ll go and help someone else, whilst you look for Tannoy System 8 NFM2’s online..
Fuck me - you could bolt those Lii F15 speakers to a wooden toilet seat, just to get by, and use the lids as bases!
I would certainly agree with a quad of EL34’s for power, and pretty Chinese knockoff valve amps are around for less than $400, with $240 for smoother treble, delightfully-balanced Svetlana, proper St.Petersburg winged-C EL34’s - which have a big soundstage.  Single-ended valve amps are even cheaper, with just a pair of Svetlana’s to buy.  The Gemtune BL-02 is very popular, and you can pick one up easily for $350, often with valve upgrades.
Don’t see why you couldn’t kit out completely for $1200, including woodwork, and recoup some funds from selling the Arcam SA20, subs, your stands, and any other kit - as you won’t be going back.  You don’t have to change your musical tastes, but you will find yourself listening in a whole new way, as the depth and imaging opens right up.
Many good DAC’s around for $200, and some clean 12-gauge copper cables brings total outlay to $1500, with maybe $400 coming back from your old gear.
I’d be happy with that.



Wonder if they do these for a 15 inch arse?



« Last Edit: Today at 10:36 am by Solarflares »

FullRangeMan

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Re: Single driver right for a prog metal head?
« Reply #13 on: Yesterday at 11:22 pm »
So while I do appreciate the cost savings options with these FR drivers, I also did mention that I'm looking for non-DIY options. Unfortunately, I do not have the tools, materials, skills, knowledge or time to be making my own speakers - even if they are single-driver designs. This is why I was originally looking into Omega, as they are nicely designed finished products that have options in my budget range. Likewise, I need to stick with standmount (ideally bookshelf) speakers. I have stands but they are standard single-pillar stands.

By the responses so far, though, it appears I may be looking in the wrong area for a solution - unless there are other options that I'm not aware of yet.
I dont have talent also, but I order it from a carpenter who make furniture.