GoodSoundClub - Romy the Cat's Audio Site

In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Lamm ML2.0 & Lamhorn/AER

Post Subject: A single yellow driver.Posted by Romy the Cat on: 4/16/2013

HookEm wrote:
The reproduction does not seem natural... too far away from what I would hear at a live event (e.g., female vocalist). Sort of bright and fatiguing at times. I may not be using the proper terminology to describe it, but I do know (my ears & my head tell me) it just ain't right... it just doesn't sound like (or close enough to) real music/voices.

I do realize there are a lot factors that can play into that, starting at the source, so I don't expect there's "magical" or "cure-all" answer - For exmaple: I do start with digital sources (I don't have a turntable & records), and that may not optimal, or how a "serious" systems should start; but, it's practical, and I'd like to explore making it work better if that's possible.

I do think hat it is very important to describe to yourself what specifically dissatisfies you in sound. Until you do it your updates of equipment and acquisition will be shooting is virtual moving target, sort of audio mirages. That feeling that it does not seem natural to you is fine feeling but there are two elements that you need to take under consideration. First – it not suppose to feel natural, this is not live music but a playback. If you feel that playback might sound like life music then you are delusional. Second – it is not right objectives to have playback that would pursue the illusion of neutrality of sound. I do have the answers about the right objectives but I have my reasons do not share them with you and I would like you to develop those answers for yourself.

I do not know the Art Audio amp you use. As I underrated this is some kind of new production with PX-25 tube it might be anything, from something interesting to complete garbage. What I know however that it is 6W and I do feel that it is not enough for your room. The ported yellow drivers (that back loading horn is not horn but eventually wave-guiding port) can be wonderful MF driver but as soon then go to lower MF, not to mention to upperbass then sound goes to toilet. In your case the room has a toll sealing that creates LOT of low octave dissipation and you need a lot of power to fill it. If you pay attention than I pitched you 845/211 tube that would give you 20W not 6W. there is a problem however to pump more power into the back loaded yellow drivers. As exertion of them rise they sound worse with each octave down and what the sewer pipe the they call “horn” kick in then all lights are off and any “better amplifier” would not help.

For sure you can bring more powerful amp, or something like ML2 that is better sounding amp but it would not address the single yellow driver problem. Sine you willing to stay with your single driver speakers (and there is nothing wrong with it) then it is an indication of efforts you willing to invest to get sound in your room. Please, do not feel that I accuse you that you are not willing to do something “more evolve”. That is perfectly fine; I just try to recommend you to think about a solution that would be coordinated with the rest of efforts.

So, if I were in your place I would probably live everything as you have now but just high-pas the yellow driver at let say 200-250Hz (400Hz with over-second order will be the best) and put two cheap subwoofers next to the Lamhorns. This might or might not produce to you the sound that you want but it will unload lower octave from the yellow driver and it would give you an illustration how it might perform if it is not stressed. It is very possible that your IDH PX-25 SET will go very fine in there and then you will just realized that you need a dedicated LF solution. Do not forget to take notes and literally write to yourself what sonic changes you experience and what sonic problems you recognize.

Rgs,
Romy the Cat

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