I want to build these to replace a pair of Klipsch RF 62 speakers I use for 2.1 and surround. The 2.1 listening is with a class a tube setup [35 watt] and the HT is with an HK SS amp. The Klipsch had to go due to floor space. I use a pair of full range speakers for most music but will want these to step in for the louder stuff. Good choice?
They should work fine for the HT listening with the solid state amp but I know tube amps can be picky about what the speaker impedance looks like. I never paid any special attention to maintaining a flat impedance curve while designing this one but I am going to bet neither did Klipsch on the RF 62. These won't have the bass the RF62's did so they are best complimented with a sub.
Thanks for the reply...and from the designer as well! Honestly the RF-62 needed a sub because they were rear fired and I couldn't get the far enough from the wall to fully benefit. They got along pretty good with the tube amp too. The Karma 8 is front fired, correct? This will work to my benefit.
Fusion-8 Alchemy Would these be a better choice and if so for what reasons? One of the reviews indicates they are good in a 2.1 system as well. :-\ I know I am driving Erich nuts at this point with all of my changes
Both are pretty similar. The Fusion 8 has a couple db on the Kahrma, as well as a beefier CD. Depends on what the cost difference means to you. Honestly all these kits are ranked so well in terms of cost. It's really about what fits your room and your budget. Pick that.
I am leaning towards the Fusion 8 at this point for it's higher efficiency and better CD...also some reviews suggest it is better for 2.1 listening, which I do a lot of and at higher volumes I am heading towards possible damage to my Alpair 7 setup, especially if I want to listen to some Zeppelin As I think about them a bit [holding off the purchase until next month] how do these rate? From what I can see they are more "geared" to HT applications and not 2.1 listening; Alpha-8 Minion
You're going from Alpair 7s to these! Big sensitivity difference. Keep the alpairs though, they make a good desktop speaker. Very nice sounding. The Alpha 8 is a really nice speaker IMO. I would have liked to design one of the 8" speakers. I find the sweet spot to be 8" for nice quality listening speakers and 10" for all out HT speakers. When I look at the various 8" options on this site, I really like the Alpha. It's the most expensive, but I really feel the value is there.
Well yes...you would be very surprised at how well they perform with my tube amp...heck even the SS amp makes them sound sweet. I have them mounted in a BK-12m folded horn enclosure [my first DIY build]. They came with the Fostex 126en but the Alpairs smoke them. I had to make a baffle [out of cardboard for now] with some EnABL treatment. I also have added a super tweeter in parallel tamed with a cap...I like some sparkle. Lots of bluegrass, Mark Knopfler, acoustic, etc sound really superb with this setup.