The FT-1600 MkII is a Mass-Loaded Transmission Line. As such, the primary resonance of the cabinet is a quarter-wave mode. This speaker is designed to reproduce the more intimate genre, Baroque and early classic, jazz trio and female voice, although they handle the larger forms quite credibly. The FT-1600 MkII is suitable for both small tube amp and large solid state amps. The FT-1600 MkII works best in small to moderate sized rooms.
Note: This is a farfield frequency graph, and the data below 500Hz is contaminated by room interactions, particularly floor bounce at 175Hz. However, it gives you a good indication of what to expect in your rooom.
The original FT-1600 just happened. I really had no plans for a full-range project, but then a fellow asked me about licensing a design for serial production, so I decided I had better at least test the design. I ordered parts, and in a week, they were playing beside the "Peerless Pipes". Then, a friend called and said that her speakers were sounding scratchy. Yea, I'll bet! The foam surrounds were completely gone. So, I demo'd these speakers, which I just happened to have in my car. They were in raw MDF, the tops were not trimmed, and they were sitting on loose boards for bases. She complained that the speakers were too tall, wouldn't fit her decor. But, she agreed to hear them since they were there. On went Diana Krall, then Alison Kraus, Sade, E. Power Biggs plays Bach. After 15 minutes of listening in silence, my friend looked up and said "How Much". So I sold them on the spot, then had to take the speakers home and finish them, knowing that I'd not get to enjoy them.
The FT-1600 was designed from the outset for acoustic music. These speakers excel at jazz, solo voice and classical. The full-range Fostex driver has a rated sensitivity of 94dB/w/m, making the FT-1600 MkII a logical choice for low-power tube amplifiers. However, the FT-1600 MkII works equally well with solid state amplifiers. The advantages of a high efficiency speaker must be heard to be believed. Usable frequency range is 35-24,000Hz.
The MkII version is an evolutionary improvement upon the original design. Over the three years since I published the original FT-1600, I have tried to improve the mid-range presence by reducing the amount of stuffing in the cabinet and at the same time, reduce the amount of ripple in the upper bass/low mid-range area. This was accomplished by reducing the cabinet height by 3 1/2" and adjusting the driver and port positions. It was necessary to abandon the slot port at the bottom of the baffle in favor of a round port 4 1/2" up from the bottom. The re-sizing and rearrangement of the cabinet was so successful that there is now no stuffing in the cabinet whatsoever. The only damping inside the cabinet is 1/2" of yellow acoustic fiberglass applied to all sides and the top.
I have also tried to reduce the amount of cabinet vibration to an absolute minimum. First, I doubled the top panel. The top of a quarter-wave is a high pressure area and most susceptible to vibration. Second, I abandoned the use of ceramic tiles as a cabinet liner and now use a 1/4" cement board called "Hardi-Backer;". The Hardi-Backer is applied to the full length of all four sides and the top. Finally, I changed from dowels as bracing to window braces. This was a production consideration, since it is easier and quicker to make the window braces than to drill, cut, fit and dress dowels.
I offer limited custom production here at Hot Springs Village, AR. I will provide plans, flats and completed speakers. Of course, prices may vary at my whim or due to the cost of materials. Since I am doing one-off production, I get no discounts from suppliers. I simply pass on the actual cost of drivers and filter parts. The current price list is:
| Plans1 | $25 | |
| Flats2 | $295 | |
| Complete Speakers3 | $1095 |
Notes:
The FT-1600 cabinet is 43" high, 10 1/2" wide and 10 1/2" deep. The base is 13" square.
Prices are for two cabinets or speakers, delivered to your door. All shipping and handling is included.The standard material is 1" high quality plywood. Non-standard materials or finish are negotiable. If you feel that you will need grills, see Grills.
The FT-1600 MkII uses proprietary design procedures licensed to me by Martin J. King. Any commercial use of this design, including third-party construction for hire, requires a license agreement from me.
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