I'm waiting on a pair of T1.5 Classic Audio speakers. They sounded great at the Capital AudioFest. They use the field coil technology. High sensitivity. Expansive 3D sound field.
Field Coils for Audio Systems
- Thread starter Audiophile Bill
- Start date
I've tested the exact same 15" woofer with several different paper cones, and ended up preferring the woofer with the stiffest cone, but then also upsized the motor and VC diameter to compensate. It ended up being the most expensive configuration too of course.Distortion is so low that it sounds a little odd at first, and it makes the dual TAD 7" woofers in my Pioneer S-1EX speakers sound inadequate and overly warm.
The only drivers I’m aware of which you can change all those three are some of the JBL’s
Forgive me if you described it in another post, but what did you end up with: which driver; and the three changes? …
Including where you got the different cones, motor and VC coil from
I am using the Classic Audio 4" compression midrange with Beryllium diaphragm, and their 15" woofer, and upgraded to Tungar field coil power supplies. I have noticed a huge difference from the JBL 4250 and Altec 505C I was using before. The biggest difference is in the subtle aspects of musicality. The distortion is noticeably lower, with more realistic micro and macro dynamics. For example, the decay of the sound of percussive and plucked instruments, the ambiance surrounding the instruments, and the sense of unlimited dynamic expansion during crescendos. After adding the plasma tweeters, transparency went up another notch. There is no sense of strain or harshness during complex, loud passages. I am very happy with the decision and has no urge to change anything now.
Keep in mind that with high efficiency speakers you will need to pair with ultra low-noise pre and power amps, or you may hear background hiss/noise at your listening position.
Yes, welcome.
Congratulations on your upcoming T1.5’s. If i might ask, which wood finish did you choose?
After years of listening to TAD 8Ω T3’s at a dear friend’s home, a couple of years back, I took the jump with John Wolf and acquired 16Ω field-coil T3.3’s in rosewood. Given that John lives about forty minutes away from me, it was great for having them delivered. I’m currently running dual solidstate power supplies to each loudspeaker, driving the horns and super tweeters at 15VDC and the woofers at 18VDC per John. They are performing wonderfully. Tungar may yet be another step for me. So far, I’m absolutely delighted with their performance.
If you would, please follow up with us. We would all love to hear your impressions once they are settled in at your place. I’m sure they will perform even better than at the show.
Cheers!
Has anyone heard the kanzen drivers? There's a 15" at a very reasonable price available and while I'm not sure how I would use it (I have open baffle with mid and midbass field coil...not sure the kanzen is suited to be a pure woofer open baffle) I'm very tempted by it...
Anyone with experience?
Anyone with experience?
songeraudio
Manufacturer Handmade Field Coil Speakers
I haven't heard the drivers in person, but Andrei is such a talented designer and couldn't be more friendly to talk to. As far as I know he isn't making them any longer, but you might consider pinging him on Facebook with questions:
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The made in France Supravox also has a field coil 15” designed to replace the Altec 515. My friend Jean Hiraga speaks highly of the company.
That's the impression I get, excellent designer. I take it this project with kanzen didn't last longer not much info on them.I haven't heard the drivers in person, but Andrei is such a talented designer and couldn't be more friendly to talk to. As far as I know he isn't making them any longer, but you might consider pinging him on Facebook with questions:
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This driver would somewhat duplicate my other midbass, but I could see advantages in the two drivers supporting each other from 40 to... wherever sounds best crossing to my midrange.
For $1500usd seems hard to pass up...
Hi there.
I'm about to. I have a pair of the 15 inch Kanzen's. They have recently been mounted in a "Treehaus Audio" inspired (but nowhere near comparable with the beautiful looking Treehaus Audio baffles) 1200 h x 600 w x 300 deep open baffle test cabinet with new Rullit Super Aero 9 field coil drivers handling most of the range.
They will soon also be tried in a JE Labs style open baffle with the largest Wolf Von Langa field coil compression driver (forgotten its name but its almost 18 kg and is based on the Western Electric 594 and sounds amazing) in a 100 percent authentic clone Klangfilm horn, and also a H frame bass baffle that presently has an 18 in it.
I bought the drivers because they were the second last pair that Kanzen had made and someone with huge experience and a massive collection of vintage and modern drivers (including ALE etc) said they were his favourite bass drivers ever regardless of cost. I was more interested in the idea of an 18 but was told that the Kanzen's hit like an 18 but were also super fast and pretty amazing.
I'll be firing mine up in the next couple of days.
For the money yours were offered at, if they are working then they are an incredible steal. Mine were not cheap and are supposed to be comparable with the very best out there regardless of cost. There's so much hyperbole in this hobby but I bought them based on others raves and am really keen to hear them.
Oh and the person who raved about them and owns all the other usual suspects and thought they were in a league of their own uses them in comparatively small open baffles where they apparently excel and are stunning.
LPG
I thought I would throw in my 2 cents here a bit: I think the acoustic elegance woofers are better than the Supravox FC. I have done one build with the Supravox, and while its excellent, I think the acoustic elegance is as good if not slightly preferred, and thats before we factor in the added complication FC brings.
I will also put in the caveat that the woofers in my designs are crossed over below 100hz, so YMMV crossed over at higher points.
Its too bad the Kanzens are no longer readily available; Id have loved to try them.
I will also put in the caveat that the woofers in my designs are crossed over below 100hz, so YMMV crossed over at higher points.
Its too bad the Kanzens are no longer readily available; Id have loved to try them.
Hi...I know next to nothing (actually just nothing) about field coils and other such work you are doing. But I do find it fascinating reading. PLUS, I look at your signature, and there are definitely some names and flavors there which I respect.
Most of all, I find it unusual today to find reference to the legendary TDA 1541 Double Crown. I also listen to one every day in the latest spec Zanden 4-box digital. A remarkable source of music making...yes, some more modern modifications, but overall a voice I have found heretofore irreplaceable.
Look forward to reading more about your speaker work!
Well, you haven't heard them but beyond that, that's very much information I was after - I guess basically that I'm not nuts for hoping these can work as the primary woofer in open baffle.
They are going for $1500 usd which is about the same price as any high quality woofer. I think I will go for it. Thanks so much for your thoughts and I think I'll try to put the seller off a few days and hope to hear your first hand experience.
Where are you intending to cross to the rullit? What power supply do you use? What amperage do you expect to use (seems to me they range from 1-5 amps)...
I bet those top tier wvl are amazing? It was wvl that got me into field coils - top 3 speakers I've ever heard and that was the Son, lowest in their range...
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The AE were what I assumed I would eventually end up with.
Price is about the same as these Kanzen. I feel compelled to try all field coil if I can, just to satisfy a particular itch.
Would love to see some photos of these projects... or maybe a project development thread?
Not talking to me but I'll post a few pics of mine where they currently are
Currently the 6x9 is a sonido 096 which I'm very happy with, driven by a modified and upgraded lab12 Suono. I have purchased the sonido midbass to match already and am hoping to get the kanzen, if the guy replies.
I'm going to try and modify the 18" baffle to work with the 15" kanzen.l, but either way it's designed so that I can install new baffles easily and I can make one fairly quickly, but I start from slab so takes some work.
I have a few rod Coleman power supplies to build and try out, they are supposed to be nice.
The frames are fairly well designed. The midrange points at my ear, the baffles are easy to replace, it's very sturdy and I can add or remove wings and even a back to the woofer section to experiment with bass response. Designed the frames to not box me in (punny) and allow me to experiment.
Still need to pick a tweeter...
Currently the 6x9 is a sonido 096 which I'm very happy with, driven by a modified and upgraded lab12 Suono. I have purchased the sonido midbass to match already and am hoping to get the kanzen, if the guy replies.
I'm going to try and modify the 18" baffle to work with the 15" kanzen.l, but either way it's designed so that I can install new baffles easily and I can make one fairly quickly, but I start from slab so takes some work.
I have a few rod Coleman power supplies to build and try out, they are supposed to be nice.
The frames are fairly well designed. The midrange points at my ear, the baffles are easy to replace, it's very sturdy and I can add or remove wings and even a back to the woofer section to experiment with bass response. Designed the frames to not box me in (punny) and allow me to experiment.
Still need to pick a tweeter...
Thanks, looks great! I always love seeing DIY work, especially from the crowd who hangs around these parts.Not talking to me but I'll post a few pics of mine where they currently are
Currently the 6x9 is a sonido 096 which I'm very happy with, driven by a modified and upgraded lab12 Suono. I have purchased the sonido midbass to match already and am hoping to get the kanzen, if the guy replies.
I'm going to try and modify the 18" baffle to work with the 15" kanzen.l, but either way it's designed so that I can install new baffles easily and I can make one fairly quickly, but I start from slab so takes some work.
I have a few rod Coleman power supplies to build and try out, they are supposed to be nice.
The frames are fairly well designed. The midrange points at my ear, the baffles are easy to replace, it's very sturdy and I can add or remove wings and even a back to the woofer section to experiment with bass response. Designed the frames to not box me in (punny) and allow me to experiment.
Still need to pick a tweeter...
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I assume you are using AE woofers that are designed for open baffle, whereas the Supravox is more suited to a reflex alignment.
I don't think that my WVL bass drivers would be happy in an open baffle either.
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