Chris
Common sense isn't anymore!
Due to reflection effects the bass from OB speakers can sometimes follow a longer path in a given room and deeper bass fundamentals can be perceived.
Location: East Anglia UK
Posts: 1,219
I'm Marc.
http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewto...46dba562225304
I have a pair in the studio and I love them, they sound 'horrible' but in a 'horribly revealing' way. No bass and a tiny (but delicious) stereo sweet spot, for untangling the mid-range in a busy recording nothing beats them.
The guy who designed them knows his stuff too: http://barefootsound.com/
The only reason why it's difficult to find commercially made baffles is because they're so frigging big that most folks can't or won't give 'em house room.
Which means that the market for them is so small it's not worth anyone supplying it.
It has sod all to do with sound quality on any level.
Chris
Common sense isn't anymore!
I had a very similar pair of horns to Frugelhorns (rear vented, intended for corner reinvorcement,) based on Fostex 6in drivers.
There were ok but compromised (uneven, honky, no bass was the worst of it). First step was some tweeters/supertweeters coming in at 8khz or so as that's where the 'full range' (hah!) drivers started to tail off.
Then a pair of subs to do the below 60hz business as there was no bass really worth calling bass.
So what you end up is bolting together a bag of bits that aren't actually a proper speaker design, in order to address the basic deficiencies.
Fun to play with but a dead end. Conclusion: it's better just to go and get some proper speakers, designed by a proper designer, and be done with it.
Bev
Mark Levinson N°390s CD Through:Atlas Elektra XLR's To: Mark Levinson N°383 To: Magneplanar .7's
I'm no great fan of the Fostex wide band stuff either.
The most annoying thing for me is the 7kHz hump in the response, but the lack of bass, and lumpy response don't help.
Chris
Common sense isn't anymore!
Location: cheltenham
Posts: 746
I'm matt.
Years ago I made some Fostex bipoles from plans over at diyaudio. They were easily the worst speaker I've ever heard (bright, shouty upper mids and no bass) but the Frugels with Mark audio drivers get a lot of good feedback, so I wouldn't judge without hearing them.
Current Lash Up:
TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.