VIB170 + FRS8M

[Dusty]

Hello,

I apologize I'm writing English on German forum. I hope don't brake any rules.

This is my first post so I would like say hello to everyone and thanks everyone who shares knowledge.

A little history....

I met Visaton a few years ago building with my colleague a pair of Altoline II:

http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/alto_line/11.jpg (mine is that lighter ones with G20 tweeter)

That was a big step forward in quality of sound comparing to my factory loudspeakers from Sony.

But sold after I've heard fullrange B200 - Solo100. Immediately "fall in love" and built own ones.

http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/solo100/13.jpg

I forfeited "rock" dynamics for "magic" and "holography". It was amazing how easily Solo100 create almost real band in front of you.

Unfortunately in small room (16m2) such big furniture have low W.A.F. Sold it and decided, after reading reviews, build VIB170AL. It has much better W.A.F.

http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/vib170al/04.jpg

"Rock" dynamic came backs but I lost "magic". Till that day I missed fullrage.

Once day, reading diyaudio.com, found an project Cuburgs-Needle. This is a simple construction using a cheap Visaton FRS8 in TL cabinet (I used FRS8M anyhow). I built it. The "magic" came back. But I was naive expected a solid bass foundation from such small driver. Of course, after proper correction the bass was audible but FRS8M reaches his Xmax very easily. The max sound level was very low.

So, I was sitting listening a "magic" from Needle and looks on two loudspeakers - Needle and VIB170 standing side by side. I catch an brilliant idea - Let's combine "magic" with "rock" dynamic.

After a "few" minutes with Boxsim (thx Visaton for English version!) I was sure this is possible. I made very simple, low cutting, serial crossover build straight on amplifiers plugs and connect AL170 in VIB170 cabinet with FRS8M. Wow! What's surprise! "Magic" with solid bass foundation, "holography' with "rock" dynamic.

After a few hours FRS8M was implant into VIB170 cabinet. The original cabinet was adopted. Inside I have to build separate housing for FRS8M. It was made with ceramic flowerpot (about 0,6l ) glued to the front side.

Here is the result:

http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/vib170frs8m/v01.jpg
http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/vib170frs8m/v02.jpg
http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/vib170frs8m/v03.jpg
http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/vib170frs8m/v04.jpg
http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/vib170frs8m/v05.jpg
http://www.prv.neteasy.pl/pic/vib170frs8m/v06.jpg

I recommend that simple, cheap and reversible upgrade for those who have original VIB170AL. You will be really surprised.

--
Best Regards
Tom

[zxlimited]

Hello Tom and welcome aboard the VISATON forum!

I am a great fan of fullrange drivers as well and I have Solo 100 and Solo 20 at home, absolutely great loudspeakers! So I know exactly what you are talking about
There is something about a fullrange driver that a tweeter will never be able to give you.

Great idea to convert the VIB towards a FAST system, and good job with the flowerpot! Your cabinets look very nice and neat. I can imagine that the sound must be pretty decent as well. Nontheless, I have tried to optimize your crossover design a little bit in order to obtain a smoother frequency response. I must admit it is a little bit more complex, but it would be worth the try, as an even frequency response is the most important property of a loudspeaker.

Good luck and have fun with your new speaker!

Best regards, Martin

[Dusty]

I have tried to optimize your crossover design a little bit in order to obtain a smoother frequency response. I must admit it is a little bit more complex

Thank you for update. For sure I will try it. I noticed, with my crossover, the mids are little withdrawn (have lower volume). But I'm afraid the crossover will be more complicated than you design. It will be difficult find a coil with exact resistance. I will have to correct it with serial resistors.

BTW. I don't like crossovers at all. IMHO the ideal situation is where there's no crossover. Even very good B200 needs simple corrections. It's a pity.

[Dusty]

Hello,

Sorry for so long delay. I built upgraded version of crossover proposed by Martin almost month ago. The sound became more smoothed but keeps all positives.

Now this is very good sounding loudspeakers, IMO better then original VIB170.