Cogent horns

Many revered audio products were the result of DIY endeavors. Simple reasoning tells us this much. So I assessed my DIY potential vis a vis the sort of performance levels and product refinement I require and proceeded to shop for finished product. Each of us must make that determination for ourselves, however.

As for field coil drivers, I have no personal experience, but will speculate that they may well offer slightly better performance than the best of conventional drivers. In my case that didn't matter because I couldn't spend $15,000 for a pair of Cogents.

Given the vast price differential between field coils and the best conventional compression drivers, I had no choice but to choose conventional. They've worked out very well and only cost me $1000.

Ralph,

By "sag" I guess you mean a delay in response to signal. Is that correct? If so, I can see that as an issue with a driver that has some mass but I wonder how significant it can be on the wispy little diaphragm of a compression driver.

Thanks, duke. So what I get from your answer is that there is lag (sag) at play in the permanent motor whereas the field coil can change direction more precisely.
How does that relate to my other question about diaphragm mass? And what about Metralla's question about cost? There is a enormous difference, it seems, between the price on conventional drivers and FCs.

Ralph - I have large horns and a 2 inch compression driver. Where should I look for a field coil driver that can replace my B&C DCX 50?

My system performs according to your descriptions using the same conical horn that Cogent uses without the field coils. I have never heard Cogent drivers so I cannot say how close I am to what you heard, but it raises in my mind a question of how much is the horn and how much is the driver?

I sold my Zu Presence last summer and bought a pair of horns from Bill Woods of Acoustic Horn Company figuring if they were good enough for Cogent they were good enough for me.
Bill also turned me on to B&C DCX 50 compression drivers which he says get pretty close to the performance of the Cogent FC drivers.

http://www.acoustichorn.com/news/index.php?id=6580107509037206863

If you have the space, this option is worth consideration.

I'm under the impression that compression drivers (field coil or otherwise) vary less from best to worst than horns do.
According to Bill Woods and a few other sources I have encountered through reading, only a conical horn can deliver the original sound waves intact. Tractrix and elliptical designs cause cancellation within their bell which results in a distorted delivery. When you talk to Steve Schell, ask him about that.
After researching the various opinions I've heard, I'm pretty confident that Bill knows what he's talking about. Field coils likely will further sharpen what is already a phenomenally clear picture.

These horns may not be for everyone as they present a very focused and utterly unadulterated voice. I'm talking espresso black, straight whiskey, rifle barrel delivery. By comparison your cone drivers give you beer with milk in it.
Its weaker and murkier. I know you don't think so now and I imagine you will need a while to get used to good horns, but if you do, there will be no going back to the tame, diluted sound of big brand everyday, ho-hum, reviewer darlings.
I wish I could afford Bill's bass horns. Donations are welcome.

Hi Dan - Have you seen this?

http://www.lenardaudio.com/education/07_horns_2.html

Also the horn page:

http://www.lenardaudio.com/education/07_horns.html

After you've read this, call Bill Woods and ask your questions.

He's located up your way, incidentally. Hastings, Ontario.
Maybe you can go see him.

Dan - Bill can answer your questions. 1-705-696-2092

I hunted around for info for some time before I found him and he answered my questions without a sales pitch and without dissing anyone else. He will tell you about shortcomings and compromises in all designs including his own. You'll enjoy the experience.