Hi
I have 4 KEF B200 (SP1014) bass/mid drive units I got from a friend who took them out of some damaged Linn Sara speakers. The Sara's had enclosure damage and one of the Scan-Speak tweeters had also seen better days, but the B200's are all in what looks like mint condition.
I'd like to use them in a DIY speaker and was planning to build a Sara enclosure. Has anybody got plans/drawings/schematics for the dimensions of the Sara? Any help on crossover design would be useful too. Is the only difference between Sara's and Sara 9's crossover? I've heard the 9's are better - is that true?
If you can help with any of this then drop me a line or follow-up this posting. And if you've got any better suggestions for what I can do with 4 KEF B200 drivers I'd love to hear them!
Currently my main speakers are a pair of Kans, which are fantastic, but unfortunately one of the tweeters has recently started to crackle slightly.
I've been reading various mails about a new neodynium tweeter that Linn dealers might be able to fit, but which tweeter exactly is it and can I get hold of a pair from somewhere? Any other suggestions for Kan tweeter replacements?
On a similar topic, a few years ago I seem to recall seeing/hearing about some DIY Kans that used 25mm MDF cabinets - anyone heard anything similar, or know where I can hold of plans for Kans? What can I say, I have an almost irrestistible urge to build speakers at the moment, so why not try to make something that sounds good?!
Any help would really be appreciated,
David
Posted on: 24 March 2002 by Ron The Mon
David, You asked;
quote:
Is the only difference between Saras and Sara9s the crossover? I've heard the 9s are better - is that true?
Saras can be separated to three versions;
1. Early(original) Saras had a flat front edge, Scanspeak tweeters, and cannon speaker connectors.
2. Later Saras changed to rounded front edge(reduced diffraction), Hiquophin tweeters, and recessed 4mm connectors.
3. Sara9 had a front black plastic baffle instead of wood(better controled resonances), crossover was redone for three reasons; a)create an easier load, b)facilitate bi-wiring, c)flatten response. The mid-bass unit on the "9s" also had a stock small black cap covering the voice coil whereas the "Saras" had a huge white cloth cap glued on inversely. It has been my impression that this white cap was the reason for the legendary "nasal" sound of those speakers.
Which sound best? The best I ever heard any was version 1s, active with two Naim 250s. Early Saras are very demanding of the amp, so if you don't have a 250 minimum, don't bother.
Sara9s can be run off a NAD with no problem.
I also know a guy who canibalized two pairs of Kan1s and made them "isobarik". I believe he still uses them as monitors in his home basement studio. They actually sound pretty bad but get a HUGE amount of bass!
As for rebuilding speakers, remember that if you destroy one of the drivers, your project is kaput as the 200 is no longer available. Best bet is to sell them to a dealer or Sara owner as replacements and put the cash toward an upgrade. Perhaps a dealer would trade.....
Ron The Mon,
Arch Kan defender and wall driller.
Posted on: 24 March 2002 by ejl
I agree with Ron, the Sara isobarik enclosure would be no small thing to try to reproduce yourself, involving as it does an extremely rigid and carefully baffled chamber connecting the two B200s. Notice that the rear B200 in a Sara was heavily modified by Linn and is probably irreplaceable; so if you have a pair of these I would certainly try to sell them to a Sara owner who needs them.
I found an unloved old pair of early Saras last year that were in decent shape apart from some cosemetic problems and the fact that the rubber surrounds on the front B200s were torn. The speakers sounded and looked horrid in this condition so I bought them for next to nothing. I replaced the damaged drivers with Peerless drivers -- see my update here:
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=9781921883
Now after several months I can say that I'm very happy with the result. So I'd suggest that finding a tattered old pair of Saras and fixing them up is likely to be a lot easier and more satisfying than trying to make your own.
