Description
Mark Audio CHN-70
This driver is boxed and sold in pairs.
The CHN70 is a Full Range design for use in many audio applications. Designed by Mark Fenlon and Evan Yu for use by audio end-users who want a high performance driver at a lower cost. This is a great little driver for those of you who want to get a flavour for wide-band drivers at a low cost of entry.
1 – Full Range operation (45Hz to 20kHz in box)
2 – Natural sound (near flat response)
3 – Long throw power-train design (Mech Xmax = 4mm 1 way)
4 – Heavy duty pressed steel frame, damped design!
5 – Easy surface mounting installation
The cone, coil and suspensions are all-new design. It profile shape is unique to this driver, to give it a neutral musical tone. The frame is made from 0.8mm high quality pressed steel with synthetic damping coating to reduce vibrations and for best environmental protection. The CHN’s sound character is natural, especially suitable for vocal reproduction. The CHN70 is suitable for sealed and ported box designs from 4 litres to 12 litres volume.
In a sealed 0.1 to 0.15 cubic foot box (about 4 liters), you should have a 3dB down response at about 119Hz.
In a ported box of 0.2 cubic feet with a 1.5″ diameter vent by 4″ long (or 1″ Ø x 1.5″ long), your f3 is about 70Hz.
Below are some links to designs by Scott Lindgren
Try also searching on CHN-70 at https://www.diyaudio.com/.
Small to medium sized speakers are usually lower power designs. The power rating is given in the technical data for each audio driver. For a reliable long service life, please operate your new speakers with care.
Matt (verified owner) –
Brilliant little full-range driver. If you discount the various car audio coaxials I’ve used in the past, this is the first true full-range driver I’ve owned and I’m more than impressed with them. The first thing I enjoy is that I don’t lament the lack of a tweeter. I took the plunge thinking that it was going to be a sonic disaster, but I’m sold.
The other surprise is how loud these can go in a real-world ‘listening with my ears’ testing/ownership. I running them above the rated power, however even at reasonable volumes, I’m more than satisfied.
I do/did run a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze BX2 speakers, but I’ve not used them since i bought the CHN-70s’. Sure there’s a lack of bass weight/SPL from the CHN’s in comparison to the 6.5 mid-bass that the Monitor Audio’s, however, the bass from the CHN’s is better defined, and in every other respect the Monitor Audio’s fall far short.
I have designed a tapered transmission line enclosure (yes a singular t-line enclosure housing both drivers) it’s a new design theory I’m testing out. I think a bit more fettling is needed. Any short comings is from my design, not the driver! I have to confess that I’m not up on crossover design, but that’s down to a touch of laziness to learn on my part, hence I gravitate towards coaxials and now full-range drivers.
Of course I’m now eyeing up some other MA drivers, but make no mistake, I’m sold on both full-range drivers and Mark Audio.
Can I just also add that for the most part I listen to a mix of electronic music, drum and bass, chill and on occasion I dip my toe in Dubstep. Old Skool dance from the likes of Prodigy (naturally!), Orbital, LFO and all that good stuff I used to enjoy in my clubbing days. Also and being a child of the 80’s, a mix of 80’s music, Duran Duran, Depeche mode, Culture Club, Adam and the Ants, some 90’s music INSX, ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ kinda tunes.
I do still listen to rap/hip hop, ‘clean’ version of the tracks, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, N.W.A. and subsequent artist from that group, London Posse, Snoop Dogg etc.
What I’m trying to say is that for some, I’m not the ideal candidate for such a driver. However, I maintain that the CHN’s have never faltered and handle my varied musical tastes in its stride. On occasion I do push these drivers hard, and not with what some might consider to be the ideal music … the ideal music that I see on many a YouTube Videos being female vocalists and classical music, live music and the like as the videos will attest.
I love my music selection and the Mark’s allow me to enjoy them better … better than the Monitor Audio’s anyway!
admin –
That is a great review Matt, thanks a lot for that. It really helps potential customers reading about other peoples experiences.