[Kevin Haskins]

Pick up a couple of the RS Series from Parts Express.   They are $25 each, and in a small ported cabinet would make a nice little full-range. 

Kevin, wouldn't the Qts of 0.87 make ported unworkable?

Maybe...I'd have to model it.   I did a quick and dirty design with the 4-ohm version which has slightly different parameters.     A hump on the bottom of these limited bandwidth loudspeakers isn't necessarily a bad thing though but I'd have to model it and see.   The 4-ohm version worked pretty good with a 75-80Hz tune.   

[roscoeiii]

If you are able to pair the speakers with a sub, you might want to look at Orb Audio speakers. Perhaps a bit above what you want to pay at ~$239 a pair new. But they look great, sound good, can be totally unobtrusive and you have the possibility of expanding them later by linking two speakers (or even 4) together if you so desire. They sound very good with a Gainclone amp in my bedroom.

[JohnR]

The Mark Audio CHR-70 drivers are only $70 a pair, and they have a number of suggested enclosures on their site... go here and click on "Plans" : http://www.markaudio.com/chr70

[chrisby]

The Mark Audio CHR-70 drivers are only $70 a pair, and they have a number of suggested enclosures on their site... go here and click on "Plans" : http://www.markaudio.com/chr70

or for paper cone fans,  the new EL70 by Mark for Bob Reimer at CSS:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148401


I've built several different boxes for both the CHR & EL70 as well as the Alpair5, 6 & 10s, and prefer the paper version.   Note however that the sensitivity of most of the Mark Audio drivers would place them outside of the normal consideration of "efficient", and the 4ohm impedance may cause some issues with multiple drivers.  They do, however sound amazing, with excursion capability and LF extension that is more than a bit surprising.
Bob has been compiling a catalog of designs from a variety of DIYers for release with these drivers,  ranging from book-shelf mini-monitors to large floor standing MLTLs and double mouth BVRs.

[Christof]

The Mark Audio CHR-70 drivers are only $70 a pair, and they have a number of suggested enclosures on their site... go here and click on "Plans" : http://www.markaudio.com/chr70

I second the Mark Audio drivers   check out the AlpAir5 TL

[mike1964]

The Mark Audio CHR-70 drivers are only $70 a pair, and they have a number of suggested enclosures on their site... go here and click on "Plans" : http://www.markaudio.com/chr70

or for paper cone fans,  the new EL70 by Mark for Bob Reimer at CSS:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148401


I've built several different boxes for both the CHR & EL70 as well as the Alpair5, 6 & 10s, and prefer the paper version.   Note however that the sensitivity of most of the Mark Audio drivers would place them outside of the normal consideration of "efficient", and the 4ohm impedance may cause some issues with multiple drivers.  They do, however sound amazing, with excursion capability and LF extension that is more than a bit surprising.
Bob has been compiling a catalog of designs from a variety of DIYers for release with these drivers,  ranging from book-shelf mini-monitors to large floor standing MLTLs and double mouth BVRs.

Both of these look like good options, assuming that one of the 14L cabinets available from Parts Express will work (would have to figure out the baffle, I think a solid one is available).  It will be over "budget" but maybe a good compromise. 

[JohnR]

I second the Mark Audio drivers   check out the AlpAir5 TL

That's beautiful work Christof The only reason I didn't mention them was because at 60 per driver I thought they would be out of budget. Are you currently using those?

[Christof]

I second the Mark Audio drivers   check out the AlpAir5 TL

That's beautiful work Christof The only reason I didn't mention them was because at 60 per driver I thought they would be out of budget. Are you currently using those?

Thanks, John.  I really like them for near field listening....Iswitch them in and out of my system....too many speakers in my home.  Last I knew AlpAir discounted all their drivers 50%....right after I ordered these drivers for Gray49's commission  ....price must have gone back up....at $30 ea they would be a no brainer but $60 ea would take him over budget plus the TL box is not an off-the-shelf item.

[planet10]

Last I knew AlpAir discounted all their drivers 50%....right after I ordered these drivers for Gray49's commission  ....price must have gone back up....at $30 ea they would be a no brainer

That, i believe, was the exUS distributor selling off his stock.

dave