i am a budget audio'fan' not really audiophile.
I say this because i love the artform of musical performance first.  I prefer my ears over graphs and technical info.  And, the only reason i would have a problem with audio equipment is if it prevented a great performance from being engaging.  Also, i do believe that an intimate experience can be gained without spending large amounts of cash, in fact, i am driven to get to this plane as affordably as possible.

Though I usually can enjoy a good performance on sub-standard gear, I had never really had that religious experience needed to go headlong into a diy project or into researching the next level.  I am a performer of live music and I just assumed that listening to recorded music would just always be a big step down.
enter single drivers:
I had started reading about various diy speaker projects on-line (xo designs and single driver) and had been most intrigued by the full-range designs because of the sheer minimalism.  So, by chance I was visiting family near Hot Springs Village AR, and called up Bob Brines on the phone, and he graciously invited me over for a listen.  This was my first time to hear fostex and lowthers,  and bang!  The Veil was lifted, I was on stage with the performers, the experience of listening was more active than passive, I knew I would at some point head in this direction.

My immediate concerns were--way too narrow sweet spot, low bass but not enough weight to it, perhaps too shy in the SPLs, ??was there enough high-end treble?  But I still wanted that sweet midrange and something similar to that 'inside your head' listening experience.

One of my main issues is that i have SS amps and don't plan on going to tubes just for speakers, but will eventually.  So, will these full range speakers sound too harsh with solid state?
I was tempted to just try some vintage dahlquist dq10s or 20s, ar-lsts, maybe mirage?  Still, i would spend a good chunk of money on used speakers that may not sound as open and transparent, and more than likely need new caps.  So, fullrange is worth a try i believe.

The other issue is that I have no desire, nor room, for
gigantic horns or speakers that have to be placed far away from the back wall.  My first thought was to build a version of the Big Fun Box bass reflex(fe206), maybe add a super tweeter, and use a subwoofer if needed.  

the more I read about fostex speakers in bass reflex designs, I was afraid that the midrange would get messed up and that I would definitely need to use a sub (which to me ruins the minimalism).   Would my unseasoned ears care?  I heard some pretty sweet fe167s in bass reflex at bob brine's?(though he did use a sub and only used the BR versions in a HT set up).

Never the less, the HDT just seems to be a good fit for my needs.  The enclosure is not huge, the spls are pretty high, i have read on this board that most people don't need a subwoofer, i assume that it can sit pretty close to the back wall, etc.  Still, will it sound good with solid sate? will it have a large sweet spot, and sound good off axis?

the obvious alternate option is to go with the HDT mkII.  The soundstage would be more wide and most likely be more friendly to SS amps.

Sorry for the length of this post, if anyone is still reading, i have a few specific questions:

if i go with the original HDT design, would the DFR-8s be my best bet or should i give the Audio Nirvanas with the copper phase plugs a try first.  The reason I ask is because i have a 200w x 2 amp and (50 x2) and the AN drivers are suppose to have higher power handling and are cheaper.
about the ANs--has anyone tried adding the Decware phase plug to the audio nirvanas?

or

Should i forget even trying the fostex or ANs with big watt SS amps and just go with the HDT MkII?
if so,
Is a driver kit available for the MkIIs and if so, how much do they run?  I would probably prefer this option at this point.

I am a woodworker hobbyist so the box is not too intimidating.

I know that i am requesting a lot of advice here and i will be greatly appreciative if anyone is able to help.  I hope to be able to return the favor at a later time, but it may have to be on a related topic or after I have completed the speakers.

thanks for your time

banjohoss

interesting.

Maybe the MkII was a nostalgic project?
i would still love to hear it, the 8" driver he is using in it must be quite unique.

Any thoughts on HDT w/dfr8s powered by big watt Solid State?
also, does the added foam edging help with dispersion?and bass perhaps?

yoda,

what is the cost for the mkII drivers and do i just call them and ask, i can't find the kit on the website.  I assume the tweeter is modified, otherwise it is a readily available driver at parts express and other places.  the woofer/mid i assume is a decware product for shure?  

anyone,
would the mkII work with the Aurum Cantus and if so what would the advantages be?

The internal ports are also different and *I think* the internal stuffing/foam is different.

The cabinet dimensions are the same, save for the dispersion plates which rest on top anyway.  

for HDT II, make a pair of 3/4" top plates for each speaker.  The lower dispersion plate has a 3" triangular cut out in the back.  The top one does not have this.  both get the semi circle cut in front.  I think they get spaced 1" and 3/4".  refer to HDT MkII picture in the turnkey speaker part of the main website is what Steve told me to do.  

The HDT II uses the same port dimensions as the original HDT  (pre alternate tuning) .  This is what I built from the plans, and I can reach down into the cabinet to add a sleeve to lengthen the ports at a later date to accomodate the alternate tuning.

Note, the Alternate Tuning package (later modification) for the 206e based driver does alter the length of the internal ports. I don't know if the current plans were ever updated to include the alternate tuning dimensions.  I just know I can easily add lenth to mine, should I want to do this for the FE206e alternate tuning.


Matt

gnat leader,

see PM.

also,
does it have the air core inductors?