A little RMAF Lowther p0rn for you single driver OB guys

Pez · « **on:** 9 Oct 2009, 04:13 am »

Hey I thought I'd do a special showcase for you guys. I was looking for a system that would help me to understand what all the fuss is about. While I literally stopped at this room at the last minute and didn't get to spend nearly enough time to really get to know what I was hearing, I will say it sounded really nice! Not to mention the new Lowther driver is pretty amazing!

The reason I'm posting it here is because I was hoping to get some more info on this driver. This was the first time I heard an open box fullrange (well full plus woofer) setup that made me think "hmmm are these guys on to something?" Without further adieu!

Back of the panel.

Just in case you are interested in full rez

full rez

front no flash.

Browntrout · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 08:07 am »

Cool pics thanks for posting. What is the new driver? Do you have any more information for us?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 09:36 am »

WOW, This new Field Coil Lowther are really pornographic and the price can be obscene or OBscene indeed.

Wonderfull images, no one magazine I see about RMAF2009 show this quality photos of this speaker. Congratulations...

Telstar · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 09:43 am »

Are these Lowters original or the modified drivers (german made i think)?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 09:50 am »

Hey PEZ,
There is some big tubes in this photo, really huge, looks a WE 212E or a 274 etc... Who is that amp ??
Thanks for any info.

nullspace · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 11:53 am »

Dave Slagle of Intact Audio did the conversion from permanent magnet to field coil. Here's his website: Intact Audio.

I believe that isn't an amp; it's a mercury tube-rectified power supply to run the field coils. I believe, not 100% certain, that is the work of Jeffrey Jackson from Experience Music, Inc. Here's his website: Experience Music, Inc.

Regards,
John

Scott F. · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 12:05 pm »

Those are the PM5A basket and cone. Rather than aluminum wire on the motor. these use copper. Jon VerHalen and Dave Slagle developed the feild coils. They will retail at about $3500 and should be availible by Thanksgiving. I've got one of the first production pairs coming my way to play with and write about.

Jon was using the new First Watt J2 to drive the Lowthers. What you saw in Jeff Jacksons furnuiture cabinet was his uber cool mercury vapor power supply. It was just a display. I thick it may end up part of Jon's new GM70 amp that Jeff is building. I should get to play with that too on its way from Tennessee to Chicago!

CORRECTION As I'm sitting down writing show coverage going over my notes and memories of the show, the Jeff Jackson power supply WAS supposed to be used to power the PM5 Field Coils. Jon hooked it up and said there was EMF bleed over that interfered with the right speaker. In turn he installed the HP power supply that he brought as a back up. Sorry for the mis-statement

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 12:15 pm »

Thanks for the info guys!! A impressive stuff, very well made, nice work!!
If I understand well what you said, this power supply tube is a Thyratron then.

Chopper87 · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 10:47 pm »

Scott and fellas,

Should we consider calling Guinness? these may indeed be the longest speaker magnets to date. Scott, you lucky SOB, getting to hear them at your leisure. I'll be giving the J2 a listen through a stack of different OB's, including some field coils and my favorite Lowther PM2MKII's. They gots big arse magnets but don't need their own zip codes like the Slagle field coil Lowthers. And don't you OB guys just hate it when Jon Verhalen and Nelson Pass get together and decide that the last three Open Baffles weren't quite the right size after all, so now I've gotta build a pair that is 24" by 55". I live in a concrete block home that would go up in flames like a Baltic Birch forrest with just a spark.
Oh Scott, if it's not too much trouble and you can find the time, would you please email me and kindly describe your procedure for improving the sound of my Havana DAC by adding (I think) Vitamin Q caps accross the output caps? I'm sure that I got the description wrong.

Lance A
chopper87@aol.com

Scott F. · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 11:38 pm »

Hiya Lance,

Hey, before you go building new baffles, did you read this months article up at ETM on my OB's? Jon hasn't built his yet but I did some modelling for him. He was trying to optimize for some existing wood he had laying around. I put the dimensions in the article if you want to try it out. You should try to make it over to Jon's and give them a listen. You're in Chicago...right?

As for the Havana, yep, just solder a pair of .1 Sprague Vitiman Qs across the existing output caps and that last skosh of grain disappears, you get a bit more texture and no loss of highs or mushy bass. I tried several decent quality caps in place if the stock plus VQs (right up to VH PIOs) and this combo sounds the best by far. Just make sure they are real VQs. The low voltage versions (100v) are just fine as the output is only 5v. The Havana is the REAL deal. Oh, Tyson tried this too and really seems to like the improvement.

I'd have put the link to the article in this post but I'm ttyping with my thumbnails on my crackberry (HTC Snap) as my home modem is down. The service guy shows up in the AM tomorrow...hurray!

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Oct 2009, 11:47 pm »

These guys are real bad

they listen this 'OB'eauties and are silent, no comment about this transcendental experience.

Cmom guys, lets post a detailed report about how they sound to this far away audiophile, certainly there is others members that would like to read about this latest advance in OB craftsman.
Thanks in advance, Gustavo

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 12:51 am »

speaking of far away (and briefly OT) - congratulations on getting the Olympics fullrangeman!

Chopper87 · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 03:03 am »

Scott,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I'll head on over to ETM ASAP. Sorry about that one.
Yea, how do you know when youre getting the real deal VQ caps any more. Where did you get yours? Hey, even if yours are not real, at least they will sound good.
I can't imagine this litle DAC sounding even better!

I seariously envy you those field coil Lowthers comming your way. I'm still breaking in my new field coils so they will have to do for a while. I find it hard to believe that any driver could outperform my PM2MKII's in OB'S in tandem with the Tone Tubby's. Scott I have so many eight inch full range drivers here and accompanying OB's that it is rediculous. Oh, and now I'm doing the trading out the woofer thing. Just got a great pair of Altec 416 8B's (having new Great Plains cones installed next week). Then I'll get to have some fun meshing it alltogether with Nesons new electronic crossover. Buying every flavor of big toroidal air cor inductors has gotten a bit costly. Won't be having as much fun as you, but I will be busy.
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Lance A.

capwkidd · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 03:24 am »

Dam! I walked past this room at least twice, and never went in! I forget at the end of the show to go back! Dam! oh well, next year.....

Hebrew Hammer · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 03:40 am »

can I come by and listen to them sir Scott?

Quote from: Scott F. on 9 Oct 2009, 11:38 pm

Hiya Lance,

Hey, before you go building new baffles, did you read this months article up at ETM on my OB's? Jon hasn't built his yet but I did some modelling for him. He was trying to optimize for some existing wood he had laying around. I put the dimensions in the article if you want to try it out. You should try to make it over to Jon's and give them a listen. You're in Chicago...right?

As for the Havana, yep, just solder a pair of .1 Sprague Vitiman Qs across the existing output caps and that last skosh of grain disappears, you get a bit more texture and no loss of highs or mushy bass. I tried several decent quality caps in place if the stock plus VQs (right up to VH PIOs) and this combo sounds the best by far. Just make sure they are real VQs. The low voltage versions (100v) are just fine as the output is only 5v. The Havana is the REAL deal. Oh, Tyson tried this too and really seems to like the improvement.

I'd have put the link to the article in this post but I'm ttyping with my thumbnails on my crackberry (HTC Snap) as my home modem is down. The service guy shows up in the AM tomorrow...hurray!

Scott F. · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 01:09 pm »

Hiya Lance,

when it comes to the Vitamin Qs, by 'real' I just wanted to emphisize that you don't substitute with a Westcap or some other vintage PIO. That said, I didn't try the Westcaps I have but from previous experience they don't have as clean of highs as the VQs. I got lucky and bought mine from a local electronics shop as old stock. I've seen plenty on eBay for around $5 each. Not too bad for a worthy tweak.

Glad to hear you're using the 416s. They really are quite good. I just sent Jon home with an extra pair that I had to try next to his GPA reproductions. If you get a wild hair, build a cabinet for the at about 5.5 cu ft for them. The bass is phenominal.

I can't wait to get the field coils. Should be loads of fun to play with.

Hey Hammer, come on over anytime. My door is always open...not to mention I've some pretty cool gear on its way to play with.

Lyndon · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 02:12 pm »

Hammer,
Take Scott up on his invitation! My friend, Bob, and I, had a wonderful time with Scott and his wife, and couldn't get over the sound quality of his main system. His "second system", which I believe was in the exercise room downstairs wasn't too shabby either.

Scott had to tear me away from his turntable, and what an arm!
Scott, did you ever find a way to repair that rare Pioneer "x-over" piece, which allowed you to split your signal between the Lowthers and the Goodman's?
Lyndon

Scott F. · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 03:35 pm »

Hiya Lyndon,

Right now I'm using Nelson Pass' B4 prototype XO. It is considerably better than the Pioneer. I plan on taking the Pioneer to Jeff (Techwiz) to give it the once over. I suspect I've got a Jfet going bad in the gain stage which is why its giving me problems. I suspect once Jeff gets his hands on it and installs some new JFets, its going to get quieter and maybe even get a bit more dynamic (hopefully the newer models push a bit more current).

Hey, next time you are in town you need to stop by. The system has changed quite a bit since the last time you were here. Are you back in town for Christmas again?

Woo Hooo, my modem is working again

Chopper87 · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 04:24 pm »

Scott,

I'm not in the Chicago area with Jon. I reside just outside of Tampa, Florida. Thanks for the advice on the boxes for the Altec's. Please keep me/us informed on your specifics when using the B4. Between those of us who are fortunate to be trying these, maybe we can uncover it's best setups. Scott, thanks again. I do wish I were up North with most of you guys. It was 96 degrees and 95% humidity outside today. Take care

Lance A.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Oct 2009, 10:45 am »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 10 Oct 2009, 12:51 am

speaking of far away (and briefly OT) - congratulations on getting the Olympics fullrangeman!

Sorry the silly joke.