I have 12" Tannoy MGs in home made cabinets. Having spent last week re doing bits of the crossover, making grilles soon and other tweaks I finally have them sounding as they should. However, they work much less well in my room for small scale and delicate recordings. I fed them ZZ Top's la Grange at around 102Db and I never heard anything so...what's the word? Visceral? But my home recorded folk needs a closer and sweeter touch. So I'm making my next project a DIY go at small speakers.
I have 4 alternatives.
Falcon Acoustics:
By buying all the bits separately, I can make my version of their LS3/5a gold crossover speakers. I think it'll be around £1300 built.
Falcon also make a Q7 kit. Basically the LS3/5 but with a crossover and cabinet tuned for about 10Hz more bass (ish). Warm LS3's I'm supposing. It's around £1100 in veneered kit form.
Wilmslow audio:
They also do a similar idea to the Q7, an LS3 alike with more bass, called the LS3 PLUS. It uses a scanspeak top and Monacor mid/bass to do the same thing. It's about £800.
Wilmslow also suggest that my sound requirements might be met by their HB1, based on the old Heybrook HB1 but using Vifa drivers. A mere 600 quid odd in veneered flat pack form.
I already have small speakers, KEF iQ 30's, won as a prize about 17 years ago I think. I've given them a good listen and would sum them up as mini Tannoys. They have the same directness and clarity (they are after all a similar drive unit design), but only work on axis and are not as sweet as I want, so they will move on I think. I know Wilmslow's original LS3's well, having made a pair for a pal, and do like them.
I suspect however that the Falcons will be 'better'. Listening will be nearfield (about 7 feet max) and I'm going to sort amps so that valves will be in the mix somewhere.
All experience, advice and etc will help me. Thanks.
ps. Harbeths P3 ESR's and Falcons own built LS3 golds are over £2500. I know the sound of both and would live happily with either, it's just working out which is the best.
My best = detailed but not hard. Sweet top end essential.
I did a similar post on PFM a while back but since the button is about to be pushed I wanted last opinions.
Ta.
I have 4 alternatives.
Falcon Acoustics:
By buying all the bits separately, I can make my version of their LS3/5a gold crossover speakers. I think it'll be around £1300 built.
Falcon also make a Q7 kit. Basically the LS3/5 but with a crossover and cabinet tuned for about 10Hz more bass (ish). Warm LS3's I'm supposing. It's around £1100 in veneered kit form.
Wilmslow audio:
They also do a similar idea to the Q7, an LS3 alike with more bass, called the LS3 PLUS. It uses a scanspeak top and Monacor mid/bass to do the same thing. It's about £800.
Wilmslow also suggest that my sound requirements might be met by their HB1, based on the old Heybrook HB1 but using Vifa drivers. A mere 600 quid odd in veneered flat pack form.
I already have small speakers, KEF iQ 30's, won as a prize about 17 years ago I think. I've given them a good listen and would sum them up as mini Tannoys. They have the same directness and clarity (they are after all a similar drive unit design), but only work on axis and are not as sweet as I want, so they will move on I think. I know Wilmslow's original LS3's well, having made a pair for a pal, and do like them.
I suspect however that the Falcons will be 'better'. Listening will be nearfield (about 7 feet max) and I'm going to sort amps so that valves will be in the mix somewhere.
All experience, advice and etc will help me. Thanks.
ps. Harbeths P3 ESR's and Falcons own built LS3 golds are over £2500. I know the sound of both and would live happily with either, it's just working out which is the best.
My best = detailed but not hard. Sweet top end essential.
I did a similar post on PFM a while back but since the button is about to be pushed I wanted last opinions.
Ta.