Anyone made a Frugelhorn Lite speaker kit ?

[steve-z]

As I explained in my last post I ordered a Topping D30 DAC which I've now had installed in the setup for just over 2 weeks, as I expected the DAC has made a noticeable improvement in SQ over the onboard DAC in the CXA60, better dynamics and improved refinement.
Now the FHLs have probably passed 300 hours they have improved considerably to how they sounded after the 100 hours recommended break in period for the drivers, initially higher volume levels sounded a touch strained, now the speakers within their limits have an effortless quality to their sound. I have to say the FHLs have exceeded my expectations by a considerable margin, tbh building them was a bit of a punt which has worked out extremely well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[hoopsontoast]

I made a pair from KJF (his first FHL kit) a few years back....

With and without some outriggers stolen from my Rega R9 speakers at the time. They certainly would make a great discrete system, as they are designed to work in corners, maybe combined with a small sealed subwoofer to fill out the bottom end.


Frugelhorn Lite by Robert Seymour, on Flickr


System by Robert Seymour, on Flickr

[speedyj]

As I explained in my last post I ordered a Topping D30 DAC which I've now had installed in the setup for just over 2 weeks, as I expected the DAC has made a noticeable improvement in SQ over the onboard DAC in the CXA60, better dynamics and improved refinement.
Now the FHLs have probably passed 300 hours they have improved considerably to how they sounded after the 100 hours recommended break in period for the drivers, initially higher volume levels sounded a touch strained, now the speakers within their limits have an effortless quality to their sound. I have to say the FHLs have exceeded my expectations by a considerable margin, tbh building them was a bit of a punt which has worked out extremely well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I built a pair several yearss ago and remember that mouth open moment when I realised I could build a set of speakers using a tiny driver and no crossover for less than a few hundred pounds that would trounce more expensive traditional ones, in many, if not all ways.

[nudgebutton]

they look fantastic Steve Z..im really keen to hear some frugelhorns someday..
great work

[Pete812]

Thank you for sharing your build Steve,.
They look great and glad to hear that you are enjoying the finished product.

[Pete812]

Thank you for sharing your build Steve,.
They look great and glad to hear that you are enjoying the finished product.

[steve-z]

Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[steve-z]

I realise that this is a pretty old thread but I just thought I'd stick in an additional. The Frugelhorn Lites have got several hundred hours on them now and full break in did take quite a time and the sound quality has steadily improved, bass extension in particular got better as the hours piled on, sub 40hz is now available.
For quite a while I've had the tube amp itch that I've been eager to scratch, so I took the plunge and bought a Reisong A10 a single ended Class A tube amp. It was a real punt as all I had to go on were numerous online and Youtube reviews. I've had the amp now for almost 2 months and it has proved to have pretty incredible synergy with the Frugelhorn Lites and has displaced the Cambridge CXA60 in my bedroom setup (CXA60 now sold on). I had misgivings about matching issues with the relatively low sensitivity of Alpair 5.3 drivers at 85db/w and the A10s power ceiling of only 6wpc, these thankfully have proved inconsequential and the amp drives the FHLs beautifully, the sound balance is more to my liking than from the CXA60 as there is a bit more bass weight and warmth which gives a nicer balance.
On the recommendation of a tube aficionado friend of mine I also tried a bit of "tube rolling" and replaced the 2 6n2p pre tubes with a pair of Russian made Voshkod Rocket tubes which have improved the airiness of the top end to good effect for an outlay of just £20. With the results I've had I can wholeheartedly recommend the Reisong A10/Frugelhorn Lite combo.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Gazjam]

Tony,
(Wee Tee Cee) here on AOS is a bit of an authority on the Frugelhorns, he's had a couple of sets if I'm right?

Heard them at his, they are wonderful sounding things.

[steve-z]

Having been listening to the Frugelhorn Lite/Reisong A10 for quite a while my initial findings which were perhaps tinged with a hint of expectation bias have now changed somewhat, the combination still sounds excellent within volume constraints but unfortunately the very low power of the Reisong severely limits the sound particularly on wide dynamic range programme material where the lack of headroom really shows up, so regrettably I've taken the FHLs out of service and have substituted a pair of higher sensitivity speakers which the Reisong amp is more comfortable with. The speakers are the Mission QX2 standmounts, I was lucky enough to pick up a mint condition used pair off ebay for just £160, a real bargain considering their original RRP of £399, I bought them on the strength of a WHF 2018 award and a recommended tag from Hifi Choice having not auditioned them prior to purchase. Although only 3dbs more sensitive you have to consider that for a given volume that means they need half the power that the FHLs require. As sensitivity measurements are usually taken at 1khz the QX2s actually appear even louder than 3dbs more due to the fuller low end that they possess compared to the FHLs, because of that the Reisong has a lot more headroom in reserve.
Much as I've loved my time with them the FHLs are now up for sale


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk