FH 3

[Stratmangler]

My mate Toppsy from another forum built these, and I thought you might like to cop an eyeful.

Beside being gorgeous to look at they sound absolutely fabulous.

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/images/colin/P2010255.JPG

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/images/colin/P2010256.JPG

Audio porn or what ?

[HighFidelityGuy]

Wow! They are super super sexy! I love the clean lines and curved back. Very nice indeed. :cool:

[HighFidelityGuy]

Are they a transmission line design or is that just a slot shaped bass reflex port on the back? What driver do they use? It looks like a Fostex of some description to me.

[Ali Tait]

It's the Frugalhorn 3 from the Frugalhorn site, designed by Scott Lindgren-

http://www.frugal-horn.com/

I've heard a few of these designs and they are all superb.

[Stratmangler]

The driver in this build is the Mark Audio CHP-70.

[aquapiranha]

Very nice. I built the Sachiko that was designed by Scott that Steve (electric beach) now has. They were great, and I am sure these are too, plus, they look fab, are easy and cheap to build...what's not to like? Might give 'em a go myself!


Has Toppsy put some kind of felt ring over the driver basket? The drivers on the Mark audio site have a light brown basket...

http://www.markaudio.com/chp70

Also, cheeky of me but will he come over and give us some more details concerning how they sound? Or perhaps you could? Thanks!


:)

[Ali Tait]

Hi Steve, here's the full story-

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3061

[aquapiranha]

Hi Steve, here's the full story-

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3061

Thanks Ali, I am a member there but can't remember my password lol.

Steve

[Ali Tait]

BTW, for anyone interested, I believe he would be happy to part with these for the right offer. I think he also has another design he would sell also. I can put anyone interested in touch. I have nothing to gain etc. Colin is a mate.

[Ali Tait]

Thanks Ali, I am a member there but can't remember my password lol.

Steve

Should be able to view it as a guest?

[Ali Tait]

I just logged out there, and the link here works for me?

[Alex_UK]

Its funny - beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that - but personally I think they are ugly looking things... But then I also think Tannoy DCs fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down...

:sofa:

Good job we're not all the same, it would be a boring world (and I know it is how they sound that is most important, but for me, a speaker having a "face only a mother could love" wouldn't work as I could never get past the looks.... Sorry!)

[aquapiranha]

Should be able to view it as a guest?

Yes I am reading it now cheers Ali.

[Alex_UK]

I just logged out there, and the link here works for me?

I'm not logged in and can see it fine too.

[Stratmangler]

Colin has now made some outrigger feet to broaden the footprint of the speaker and improve stability.

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/files/thumbs/t_fh_xx_177.jpg

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/download.php?id=2464

[Rare Bird]

look good with the exception of not matching the veneers between cabs, if he used book matched veneeres each pair should have been the same..

[Marco]

Hi Alex,


Its funny - beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that - but personally I think they are ugly looking things... But then I also think Tannoy DCs fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down...
:sofa:

Good job we're not all the same, it would be a boring world (and I know it is how they sound that is most important, but for me, a speaker having a "face only a mother could love" wouldn't work as I could never get past the looks.... Sorry!)

Hahaha... Yes, but you're forgetting that vintage Tannoy DCs are available as drive units only, so it's up to you what cabinets you put them in, ya daftie - you can make 'em look as pretty or as fugly as you like! ;)

Unless you have some bizarre dislike for the look of the actual cones? :eyebrows:

Yes, Toppsy's speakers will no doubt sound excellent (I rate his designs highly), and look sexy if you're a fan of the 'blond wood Ikea look'... Soz, count me out. However, I know that Colin offers various finishes for his speakers.

Give me traditional walnut, medium oak or yew, any day. I suspect that's why I love the look of the Tannoy Prestige range, Chris, and you don't! :cool:

It's simply a matter of personal taste.

I'll always live in period properties, though, and so have to consider what would work in them, aesthetically....

Marco.

[Marco]

Hi Chris,


Colin has now made some outrigger feet to broaden the footprint of the speaker and improve stability.

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/files/thumbs/t_fh_xx_177.jpg


The fireplace looks more interesting than the speakers! :lol:

Who's room is that? :)

Marco (who prefers genuine antiques to any modern bollocks).

[Stratmangler]

Hi Chris,



The fireplace looks more interesting than the speakers! :lol:

Who's room is that? :)

Marco (who prefers genuine antiques to any modern rubbish).

Chez Colin.
The speakers sound much nicer than the fireplace. ;)

[Ali Tait]

That's Colin's listening room mate.

[Ali Tait]

Snap!

[Marco]

Chez Colin.
The speakers sound much nicer than the fireplace

Lol... Looks like a nice room. Dunno though why he went for that rather cold looking 'blond' wood in what looks like a nice traditional room... :scratch:

Or perhaps, knowing Colin, the speakers are for someone else? :)

Hey Alex, you sayin' nuffin about my earlier post? :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Toppsy]

Marco,

Felt I had to reply to some of the comments made on this thread originally started by The Stramangler, who happens to be a good mate of mine.
He posted up pictures as he was so impressed with them and thought some you guys might like to see them.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they, so I don’t expect them to appeal to everyone. That’s what makes the world go round, so they say. But to say these are Ugly from a guy who has a pair of Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3, speakers is a little rich to say the least!

From the start I must say these speakers are not my design. That honour goes to Scott Lindgren of Woden Designs, a much respected speaker designer, who has many DIY and commercial designs to his credit. On the forums he subscribes to, he is known as ‘Scottmoose’. I’m sure some of you will be familiar with his designs and knowledge. However, it must be understood, these speakers are part of a experimental beta build, still in-progress, programme here in the UK and across the water in North America, perhaps other parts of the world too. They are designed to be a forgiving load & will accept a reasonably wide range of drivers. The eventual intention for this design is to offer the plans for free via the Planet10 web site as well as offer them as either bespoke finished hand-built speakers or as a flat-pack for home assembly and finish using CNC cut panels. However, that person may, or may not, be me.

Marco, I skinned my beta builds in the Ash veneer as that was all I had to hand at the time of the build. I’ve had the veneer lying around in storage for a couple of years and as these are a modern up-to-date design I wanted a ‘modern’ look for them. And remember, after all, these speakers are still in the development stage. My preferred finish for my own personal use speakers would be Oak. Not to match the fireplace but to match the rest of the furniture in my listening room. However, my favourite listen speakers are a pair of Quad ESL63 with Fostex T90A super tweeters via a pair of GM70 SET mono block amps and vinyl my preferred choice of source.

And to Andre, whoever you are. These do have matched veneered panels. Only the front baffles don’t quite match. The veneer panels were cut from 6-consective cut leaves of veneer that were 15” wide x 9’ long. The baffles using veneer from leaves 1 and 6 respectively. Hence the front baffles are not quite perfect match due the inconsistencies of natural cut wood grain. And why would anyone want to bookmatch on a speaker front baffle that is only 7” wide? Overkill to say the least, would be an understatement, especially when the cut veneer comes in 15” wide leaves. Least said the better, hey.

[Marco]

Hi Colin,

Welcome to AoS - good to see you here :)

Thanks for the added info on the design principles, in terms of cabinets, of the FH-3s. You know I like your stuff, having always commented positively about it during various meets at Owston.

I agree that aesthetics are a matter of personal taste. I wouldn't take any criticism personally, as knowing Alex very well, he wouldn't have intended any offence; in fact he'll be mortified that he's upset you - ditto, Andre...

As for my comments on their aesthetic appearance, that was simply a bit of banter with Chris, as he often has a go at how 'ugly' Tannoys are! :eyebrows:

I'm fully aware that you offer various wood finishes for the speaker designs you're given, and also suspected that the speakers in question were not for use in your own system. Like you, I'd prefer oak, although the ash finish is undoubtedly 'fresh & modern' and very well executed. It just depends on what you're after.

However, whoever ends up with the FH-3s will undoubtedly own a very fine pair of speakers. It's superbly executed DIY designs like those which AoS very much likes to champion!

Anyway, now that you've registered, do pop in now and then and contribute to discussions. With your experience you have much to offer, and you can always have a chin-wag with Chris, who is a very active and valued member here, along with others from AT :cool:

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

I think they look Great Colin, and I'm looking forward to hearing them at the next Owston.

[Toppsy]

Marco,

Thanks for the welcome and certainly I will pop-in now and again and contribute some if I think it may be of value.

I must add regards the design of the Fh Mk3 that the actual shape of the speakers and particularly the curved rear is very much part a function of the design. To date this speaker has successfully been beta-tested with Fostex FE126e and FE126En, FE127e at least one Tang Band driver the CSS EL70 and the following Mark Audio drivers: CHR-70, CHP-70, Alpair 7 and i think Alpair 6. So a wide range to have a go at. My beta build pair are fitted with the paper coned MA CHP-70 and only cost 70.00 EUR a pair post free from Germany. So for those on a budget these give big sound for relative little bucks. And the cabinets are an easy build for those with the knack.

Any AOS member who wishes to listen to these are most welcome. They may be surprised what a little 4" FR driver in a well executed design can achieve ;)

[Marco]

Hi Colin,

No problem - you're very welcome here anytime :)

I'm sure some of our members would love to pop along and listen to the FH-3s. Incidentally, was it Scott who designed some speakers for Philip?

I remember listening to some very tall, slim speakers, with tiny drive units, sounding positively huge at one of the Owston meets, and being very impressed by them, if you can remember what I'm talking about. I think they belonged to Philip.

Btw, in the end I chickened out of having my Lockwoods re-veneered, simply because I'd be worried it might change how they sound (as I adore how they sound now) and so wouldn't want to risk any adverse sonic effect of damping the cabinets more by adding another layer of veneer....

Am I worrying unduly? If you can convince me differently, I might still be tempted to have them done, but not in ash! :eyebrows: ;)

Marco.

[Toppsy]

Marco,

That design would be the Saburo. one of Scott's 'Spawn Family' designs for the little Fostex FE126e. The actual speakers in question were DTB,s (Dave The Bass). They are impressive performers but you really need to be some 12 feet away from the speakers for best performance. http://www.frugal-horn.com/spawn-plans.html

Regards your huge cabinets. Hard to say with any certainty if the extra damping layer of the real wood veneer plus glue would have a impact on the sound your beloved Tannoy's. Personally I doubt it. But that is just my take and other, more qualified persons, may have a different take on it. Unfortunately there is only one real way of knowing and then there is no return.

Have you considered asking Tannoy direct themselves for an opinion?

As I understand it the existing cabs are covered in a type of formica? If so and due the physical size the cabs I would recommend the use of Flexi-veneer, which comes in 1.2m wide x 2.4m long sheets. It has a resin impegnated paper backing which gives the veneer it's flexi nature and can be applied using PVA and ironed on or impact adhesive. Others may prefer a different method. trouble with veneering, if you ask 3 experts how to apply a certain veneer you'll likely get 3 different answers.

The only issue with using flexi veneer is not being able to book match panels. Which with your large surface area speakers may be an issue.

Again I would contact Tannoy direct and ask for their suggestions/opinions.

[Toppsy]

Here a photo of those Saburo speakers.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z109/davethebass1/CIMG9440.jpg

[Ali Tait]

Those Saburos are a fabulous speaker and image like very little else. Folk who haven't heard them would be amazed at the bass response that can be had from a 4 inch driver.

[Dave the bass]

'Awethumne' is the word you're looking for Ali.............. :)

DTB

[Ali Tait]

It is if you're a shandy drinking soft southern poofter! :lol:

[Dave the bass]

It is if you're a shandy drinking soft southern poofter! :lol:

I am!:)

DTB

[Ali Tait]

Yebbut your speekas sound good!

[aquapiranha]

Hi Toppsy, I think as I have mentioned on the other forum, that they look great! and since I used to own some FE103E's in a smallish RLH I am fullly aware of the capabilities of some 4" drivers. Also, I built the Sachiko's which Steve (Electric beach) now has, as well as the OB's whic Ali now has and a couple of others too. I was very interested in the build as something to do until I can afford some Monitor Golds! :lol:

Keep us posted with regard to the kits, I have already seen the plans on Scott's site. Steve

[Alex_UK]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they, so I don’t expect them to appeal to everyone. That’s what makes the world go round, so they say. But to say these are Ugly from a guy who has a pair of Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3, speakers is a little rich to say the least!

Oh, dear, apologies Colin if my comments offended you. It just goes to prove though, that people's taste is widely different sometimes when you hold similar views on my speakers which I personally find to be quite attractive for the type of speaker they are.

I wasn't meaning to find fault in your craftsmanship, Colin (which looks superb) but for me, and the same reason why aesthetically I don't like many Tannoy DC implementations is that personally I just find speakers with a single driver look odd. I don't know why, but I do - in the same way that I also find speakers that are non-symmetrical strange - (i.e. where the tweeter or port are offset to the same side on each speaker, not one on the left and one on the right) and no matter how brilliant they sound, I think it would always bug me.

So yes, Marco is right - I certainly didn't mean to offend or in any way criticise your "babies" in the implementation, purely my superficial idiosyncrasy I'm afraid. I'm sure they would sound superb though, and I'm looking forward to hearing this type of speaker and others at the Scalford show - I owe you a beer to say sorry if you're going Colin! (And you too Marco!)