BLH with Fostex FE-87

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http://bp1.blogger.com/_i08-ibvZ150/SDj7ukkxJeI/AAAAAAAAA8c/IGHz_2tZ-lc/s1600-h/S5033300.JPG

Bought this pair on eBay a week ago and got 'em in the mail today. They are based on Nagaoka Tetsuo's M-8BH mini back loaded horn design. They came unfinished. Since they are baltic birch with nice grains, I am going to clear coat them after some sanding. They sound very impressive. I can't believe how much soundstage you get from those 3" drivers. Great bass too! The mids are outstanding.

The seller mentioned that they need to be tuned at the mouth of the horn. I have seen people use pebbles in plastic bags in the two baffles in the mouth of the horn. What effect has adding something at the baffle? How does the tuning work? Thanks in advance. -Min

[Ty_Bower]

Neat speakers. Can you post a link to the auction?

[TomMcNally]

They look great Min. I have a pair of FE-87E drivers I bought a couple
of years ago, but haven't done anything with yet.

Here are a few interesting links ...

http://www.atatan.com/~s-ito/sp/makizou.html

http://hb6.seikyou.ne.jp/home/makizou/ (Japanese)

If you come across any kits - let me know.

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Tom, if you google "Nagaoka Tetsuo M-8BH", you will hit the links you listed. I don't believe there are kits for the design. These are homebuilt. I do have a plan that came with the speaker if you're interested. I am really digging these little guys. They sound great with SE amps too, in spite of 89 dB/w/m efficiency. Must be the horn. BTW, anyone knows how to tune horns? -Min

[TomMcNally]

I do have the docs that came with the Fostex drivers, I just don't
have the woodworking ability or tools. I had some silly idea of
building a tube boombox type thing at one time .... then realized
the speaker cabinets had to be much more elaborate.

... tom

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Yeah, horns are not easy to make. I thought about making one a while ago, but I gave up. Too many pieces to cut. If you are't too concerned about the looks, you might wanna try cutting up some USPS boxes and make open baffles like this: http://www.boozhoundlabs.com/fx120-alpha10/

[Ty_Bower]

I wonder if the plans for the M-8BH are in this book?

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/produc ... ts_id=1341

[Ty_Bower]

Found this thread with the dimensions for the cabinet pieces...

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthre ... tid=633329

[TomMcNally]

Thanks for the links, Ty ... still way too complicated for me !

Min - When I was in 8th grade. there was an article on how to build
an enclosure for an 8" full range speaker in Popular Electronics for $ 1.
You took a large round plastic kitchen size trash can, mounted the speaker
in a big hole in the bottom, and flipped the can upside down, speaker
facing up. I thought it sounded pretty good back when I was 12
years old .... maybe time to revisit that idea !

... tom

[Ty_Bower]

I dunno. All the cuts are straight. My Dad has a table saw... maybe I'll borrow it and try to cut out the pieces. I'm sure I've got a scrap piece of plywood around somewhere. One guy said he only used a half sheet to build them.

What's the price on the driver? I guess Parts Express is the place to order them?

[TomMcNally]

I got mine at Madisound ...

$ 31.20 ... the screen grill is extra

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=277

[Ty_Bower]

What did you end up doing with yours? Do you like their sound?

[TomMcNally]

Not a thing - still in the boxes.
One of those cases where I should have done more research
before I bought them. Another unfinished project !

[Vince]

I think you guys are a match!!
Vince

[Ty_Bower]

Ok... I've got the table saw now. I'm gonna do one of these things!

Really, how hard can it be?