Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

[AudioSQ]

What are the differences? I asked over at AVS first because they seem to be the experts on diy sound group kits, particularly the horns, but I didn't get much of a response so I thought I'd try here. I can tell from the graphs that the Fusion is more sensitive, and the Minions can go lower, but I can't seem to get opinions on how they compare to each other. If the Minions are noticeably better than I'm ok with paying the $55 per speaker more, but if I'd only notice they were better in a critical listening session during an AB test. Then I'd rather save my 110 bucks. I haven't critically listened to music for than a minute in years (I have three small children). If I'm paying 55 bucks more simply to go lower then it's not worth it because they'll be crossed over to a sub. I also know being more expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's a better design, just that it has more expensive parts. Any input is appreciated.

Bruce

[kevin007]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I have been eyeing the fusion series for quite a while as you can use the MTM as a center channel for HT setup. I too have not heard them yet but the reviews from other on the fusion 8's have been very good.

There is a thread in the speaker project forum here that has a great write up on the fusion 8's.

Might be worth a look...

Kevin

[Beau]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I have been drooling over the Alpha 8 Minions for a while.

Build them and you will be my hero.

[AudioSQ]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

And there lies the problem. I just got a vote for each, but nobody can tell me how they compare! I don't doubt they're both excellent, but which one is better for me..

[Beau]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I emailed DIY Sound some time ago about this very issue. In essence, they left me with the impression the Fusion 8 Alchemy was a tremendous bang-for-the-buck.

I won't go so far as saying they suggested that over the Minion, but they did say that it was a lower priced option with excellent performance.

[AudioSQ]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

So why do you choose to drool over the Minion instead of the Alchemy? I really want to wait for the Fusion Pure with the 10" horn, but I think they'd be a bit too big hanging out in the living room.

[Beau]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

So why do you choose to drool over the Minion instead of the Alchemy? I really want to wait for the Fusion Pure with the 10" horn, but I think they'd be a bit too big hanging out in the living room.

Objectivey I like the specs of the driver, and subjectively prefer to looks of the cone (I know, that is a dreadful screening criteria).

As to the 10", I have WAF issues to contend with, and she has already agreed to a 5.5 ft^3 subwoofer enclosure -- don't want to "push it".

[kevin007]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I am not sure what happened to it but there was a great post of someones fusion 8 build in the speaker project gallery. I cant find it, but the guy gave some good info and how he thought they sounded and the complete build, but I cannot find it.

When I asked Erich some similar questions a while back he told me that they all sound awesome. He said the 8" ones were normally good enough for most homes unless the room was quite large.

If it was me I would choose the Fusion 8's if there was any chance of them becoming part of a HT system. And if there was no chance I would go and buy the Alpha's.

Like I had said I personally have not built any yet, but I would think either one would work great.

Kevin

[AudioSQ]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I'm sure I've already read it. I've been thinking on this build since April. I think I've probably read every thread with the words Alchemy or Fusion 8 in them.

[Beau]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I am not sure what happened to it but there was a great post of someones fusion 8 build in the speaker project gallery. I cant find it, but the guy gave some good info and how he thought they sounded and the complete build, but I cannot find it.

When I asked Erich some similar questions a while back he told me that they all sound awesome. He said the 8" ones were normally good enough for most homes unless the room was quite large.

If it was me I would choose the Fusion 8's if there was any chance of them becoming part of a HT system. And if there was no chance I would go and buy the Alpha's.

Like I had said I personally have not built any yet, but I would think either one would work great.

Kevin

I think you may be thinking about the thread where someone used the Minions a top of a subwoofer. I'll look for that thread, too.

Update: Here it is: http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...ghlight=Minion

[Erich H]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

They both really need to be run with subwoofers, and they're tuned to the same frequency. So I don't think that should really come into play.

They both sound good. The difference in price is based on the cost of the components. So if by some chance you must have a B&C woofer, spend the extra and get that model. That's pretty much what it boils down to.

[kevin007]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

Erich,

That is good to know. Also do you have the Fusion 8 MTM flat packs yet?

Kevin

They both really need to be run with subwoofers, and they're tuned to the same frequency. So I don't think that should really come into play.

They both sound good. The difference in price is based on the cost of the components. So if by some chance you must have a B&C woofer, spend the extra and get that model. That's pretty much what it boils down to.

[AudioSQ]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I think I'm leaning towards the Alchemy then. If I can't find somebody who can tell me that the Minion is a solid step above the Alchemy then I don't think it's worth 110 bucks more for the pair. It seems at best it's only marginally better. Besides I've wanted to do a Jeff B. design for a while now. Thanks for the input folks!

Bruce

[Jeff B.]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

I think I'm leaning towards the Alchemy then. If I can't find somebody who can tell me that the Minion is a solid step above the Alchemy then I don't think it's worth 110 bucks more for the pair. It seems at best it's only marginally better. Besides I've wanted to do a Jeff B. design for a while now. Thanks for the input folks!

Bruce

It may be inappropriate for me to comment, because I usually don't like to jump up and say, "ooh, go with mine, go with mine!", but I just want to say that when Erich asked me to do an 8" two way he let me pick the woofer of my choice. I could have selected a B&C, or Faital Pro, or 18Sound, or a JBL, or whatever I wanted. The thing is, I don't select drivers based on popular opinion, or price, or name brand; I select it based on whether the performance will meet my goals the best or not.

I find what I perceive to be a misplaced perception regarding prosound drivers for these home theater applications. Most prosound drivers have very low Qts values in order to maximize sensitivity, as a result bass extension is usually compromised somewhat, and often the frequency response is rather ragged. One of the things I find with Eminence drivers is that they are able to maintain a Qts value that makes then very well-suited for crossing over into home theater use, much better in my opinion than most other brands. So, I just wanted to make it clear, that my choice of the Beta 8A was not to save money, but to get the highest level of overall performance for my design.

The other thing about this speaker is that I voiced it against my Continuums as the reference. The frequency response, tonal balance, and overall character are similar, but the Alchemy is a full 10dB more sensitive. Distortion is not as low, and the sound is not quite as refined, but that's a lot of sensitivity in comparison. The other neat thing about it, and this was not a design goal when I started, but I found I was able to do it, but the Alchemy is a minimum phase design. This can be seen in the measured phase response in the plot posted at diysoundgroup.com. You won't find this very often in any speaker. Whether it matters or not is up to you.

Jeff B.

[Beau]

Re: Fusion Alchemy vs Alpha Minions?

It may be inappropriate for me to comment, because I usually don't like to jump up and say, "ooh, go with mine, go with mine!", but I just want to say that when Erich asked me to do an 8" two way he let me pick the woofer of my choice. I could have selected a B&C, or Faital Pro, or 18Sound, or a JBL, or whatever I wanted. The thing is, I don't select drivers based on popular opinion, or price, or name brand; I select it based on whether the performance will meet my goals the best or not.

I find what I perceive to be a misplaced perception regarding prosound drivers for these home theater applications. Most prosound drivers have very low Qts values in order to maximize sensitivity, as a result bass extension is usually compromised somewhat, and often the frequency response is rather ragged. One of the things I find with Eminence drivers is that they are able to maintain a Qts value that makes then very well-suited for crossing over into home theater use, much better in my opinion than most other brands. So, I just wanted to make it clear, that my choice of the Beta 8A was not to save money, but to get the highest level of overall performance for my design.

The other thing about this speaker is that I voiced it against my Continuums as the reference. The frequency response, tonal balance, and overall character are similar, but the Alchemy is a full 10dB more sensitive. Distortion is not as low, and the sound is not quite as refined, but that's a lot of sensitivity in comparison. The other neat thing about it, and this was not a design goal when I started, but I found I was able to do it, but the Alchemy is a minimum phase design. This can be seen in the measured phase response in the plot posted at diysoundgroup.com. You won't find this very often in any speaker. Whether it matters or not is up to you.

Jeff B.

Jeff,

Thank you for this response.

I was not only helpful, but factual and written from a professional and objective basis.

Just a note of thanks.

Beau