The Edingdale Loudspeaker

[Ali Tait]

Last weekend I drove down to see Nick so we could get the prototype dac on his scope. After this, Nick mentioned he was going to see Colin Topps to take some measurements with his calibrated mic of some new speakers Colin has been working on, so since it was on the way back for me, I tagged along. What I heard was quite something.

The premise of this design was to produce something quite special using some modestly priced drivers, namely the Mark Audio Tweeter #3 and Woofer #6, which Colin had previously used in a stand-mounted speaker, now called the Edale.

Basically, Colin has succeeded I think. These speakers really are something IMHO, with HUGE bass that is in no way overblown, but very nicely detailed. The real stand out for me though was the midrange. Just so clean and clear, incredibly so given the low cost of the drivers. The only caveat for me was the tweeters, which were a little sibilant on some tracks. After some discussion, the option of a ribbon tweeter was mooted. Colin then remembered that Monocor did some ribbons at a reasonable price, and given he has a trade account with them, ordered a couple of pairs to experiment with. So far they seem to be a success. Have a look at the thread on Audio-Talk on these speakers here-

http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/phpBB2/v...er=asc&start=0


Anyone looking to spend 1 - 2k on speakers needs to hear these, they really are astonishingly good. They certainly far surpass anything commercial I've heard at this level.

I realise all this sounds like a review, but I'm only giving my impressions of what I heard. I have nothing to gain, and no agenda. I just would like folk to hear for themselves how good these speakers are. Have a look at the thread and see what you think. They really are that good. Seriously.

[Ali Tait]

Oh yes, something I forgot to mention, this speaker is 93-94dB with a very easy 8 ohm load, which was also one of the criteria. Who wouldn't want a speaker with specs like that?

When I heard it, it was driven to huge levels with a 4-5 watt 300b SET amp, and I mean HUGE levels, more than most sane folk would want.

[Macca]

They look very interesting.

[Marco]

Indeed - another quality project from Toppsy! Ali, do you know roughly how much he's intending on selling them for?

Marco.

[Toppsy]

Marco Wrote

Indeed - another quality project from Toppsy

Thanks for the compliment Marco. And thanks to Ali for the review and posting the link to the build thread.

I had intended posting these up myself once they were finished and looking asplender in a nice new overcoat of veneer.

I do think these speakers are special for a 2-way (what I call) conventional box speaker. They have a midrange to die for that I have only ever heard before on my Quad Electrostatics, but a bass that should satisfy the 15" driver OB boys and with the 1" silk dome tweeter now swapped out for the ribbons a HF that adds sparkle and zest to the overall soundstage. And they image like the best.

Marco also wrote

Ali, do you know roughly how much he's intending on selling them for?

Well I'm hoping to offer these complete and fully veneered in standard type real wood veneer for £975. The price may vary slightly depending what veneer. They will be bespoke made-to-order, using CNC cut panels and finished to individual customer requirements. I can also offer full front mounted grills for those that do not like to see the exposed drivers on the front baffle. I'll post up photos of the grills when I get around to finishing the bare ply speakers.

For those that like such things the general specs for the speakers are:

Driver compliment: 4 x Mark Audio Woofer #6 (or CSS EL166) + Monacor RBT-95 Ribbon Tweeter.

Efficency 93 - 94dB with nominal 8-ohm load tuned to around 35Hz.

Overall size: 1100mm tall x 235mm wide x 415mm deep. The bases add a little to the O/A width and depth and spikes add a little to the O/A height.

Basic Contruction: CNC cut 18mm Baltic Birch Ply.

Anyone wanting to come and listen to these can contact me through the forum.

Here's a couple photos how they look now with the ribbons. Please note the speakers are still in there underwear of the bare unfinished Baltic Birch Ply.

[John]

Hi Colin
Great job seems like you managed to create a real bargin I hope you get some good sales from this project
John

[Toppsy]

Great job seems like you managed to create a real bargin I hope you get some good sales from this project

Thanks John.

I should have added to my posting above that I could replace the round ribbon with the SQ one for those that prefer that look. ie:

[Ali Tait]

Just to add, at that price I've not heard anything commercial that comes anywhere near these.

[Stratmangler]

Just to add, at that price I've not heard anything commercial that comes anywhere near these.

I agree.

I went round Wednesday and Thursday evenings to listen to some tweaking around with the tweeters, and the ribbon integrates superbly with the mid/bass drivers.

[synsei]

I like these a lot Colin, even without any veneer. If I can pull off a couple of deals over the next couple of months I may well be contacting you to arrange a listen sometime after Christmas with a view to buy...