4 inch Midranges - Price Performance ?

[Scottmoose]

...and isn't necessarily going to be audible. Depends on system & relative baselines. They're ok for the money & probably better than a few at a significantly higher price.

 

[Mario Pankov]

I looked up a couple of (slightly larger) drivers, the 15M I mentioned earlier, and the 4.5" Dayton that Bill Poster just mentioned. These are images from Voice Coil.

The Dayton midbass level was "a 2.83 V/1 m impulse response" (about 86dB) ...and it has ~3% distortion under 1kHz, rising sharply below 200Hz.

The 15M level was "setting the SPL to 94 dB at 1 m (1.16 V) using a pink noise stimulus" ...and it has ~1% distortion under 1kHz, rising sharply below 200Hz.

So: it looks like both units are suitable for a 200Hz crossover, but the 15M looks a jillion times better, with 1/3 the distortion when played 8dB louder.

Am I interpreting these graphs (and signal levels) correctly?

Yes but we were talking about a 4", the 15M is even closer to 5.5". The usual issue is excursion as most of these are designed for sealed use and at higher power levels they`d distort badly if used so low.

 

[Digi]

Here are some of my mid bass tests that might be helpful:

Robsan-DIY | Mid Bass Tests

 

[jholtz]

NE123..

I'd highly recommend the NE123. Curt and I used it in the Statements II's. IMHO, it's an affordable driver with Revelator class performance.

Jim

 

[5th element]

Most of the 4" SB drivers do not have copper in the gap and therefore suck compared to SBs other drivers.

The NE123 is an excellent driver as would be the ZA14, although the ZA14 might be a bit big.

 

[suzyj]

SB12PFC has no copper and 0.26mH coil inductance. SB13PFC also appears to be missing the copper sleeve, as with the SB16PFC.

SB12NRX does have copper sleeve, with 0.14mH inductance and obviously lower distortion across the midland compared to the PFC flavour.

Looks like the PFC (cheap plastic) drivers are missing the copper across all sizes.

 

[madisonears]

Another vote here for the NE123.

 

[Pano]

Just out of curiosity - why would you pay $85 for the Peerless NE123 instead of $37 for the FaitalPro 4FE32? What does the 130% price difference get you?

 

[hormilo]

Faital 4fe32 and you will hear music "live" again ��

 

[peterbrorsson]

Just out of curiosity - why would you pay $85 for the Peerless NE123 instead of $37 for the FaitalPro 4FE32? What does the 130% price difference get you?

Theoretical peace of mind mayhaps, staring at data sheets and distortion numbers under 0.3%. Btw, prices in US is without VAT? Here in Europe, 4FE32 cost roughly 40Euros including 21% VAT.....

 

[peterbrorsson]

.....even cheaper than 4Fe32

Recent measurements of the 4FE35 in an open baffle by BMS (Buildmesomething):

This driver appears to be the real deal: 91 dB efficiency, moderately high Qts of 0.84, 2.7mm xmax, smooth response, low HD, pro-audio grade durability, $25.

Specs here: http://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/specs/294-1124-faitalpro-4fe35-8-specifications.pdf

 

[Bill poster]

Nice looking driver that Faital. Shame about the stamped frame but can't go wrong at 20quid
Faital Pro 4FE32 4 30 Watts 8ohm loudspeaker

 

[eriksquires]

I always thought the Peerless was very ambitious looking and wanted to try it. I think as a true mid the NE123 looks promising, as does it's larger cousin the NE149.

As a mid-woofer however the FaitalPRO 5" are really interesting however. The bass, power handling and efficiency make it a better choice, no?

I'm so glad this thread got so lively by the way.

Erik

 

[peterbrorsson]

Might be worth to check....

Eighteen Sound Speakers - Eighteen Sound 5W430 - Eighteen Sound 5W430 6.5" speaker. Eighteen Sound 5W430 5" subwoofers are available here. 18 Sound speaker components.

 

[eriksquires]

Bill,

Honestly I think all the frames on the Faital's are "funky." It's like they expected almost all of their 4/5" drivers to be rear mounted or something.

E

 

[Pano]

Nothing against the Peerless (Vifa) driver, they are excellent and I use them often. I just wonder in a case of using a 4" for a midrange, what does the Vifa give you over the Faital, for example? I don't see it, and it's quite possibly there, just don't know what it is.

 

[Pano]

It's like they expected almost all of their 4/5" drivers to be rear mounted or something

They are mostly meant for close spacing in line array speakers, and not to be seen.

 

[Bill poster]

Nothing against the Peerless (Vifa) driver, they are excellent and I use them often. I just wonder in a case of using a 4" for a midrange, what does the Vifa give you over the Faital, for example? I don't see it, and it's quite possibly there, just don't know what it is.

How do they compare soundwise?

so many good reviews of the ne123 ie 'holographic soundstage' etc
Plus the gorgeous construction is similar to v expensive Scan's but for much less money.

 

[Pano]

I dunno, you'll have to tell me. Without comparing them in the same speaker with appropriate crossovers, all I have to go on is spec sheets. How different would they sound with the same bandwidth?

Are there any published tests comparing their distortion, waterfall or sonograms? That would help.

 

[Mario Pankov]

4FE35 has a copper cap, the 4FE32 uses neodymium magnets and has no copper in the motor. I have used the second in a car install and for the money its a beast. Not sure why some of the Fostex bunch are not mentioned - they have a very sweet midrange.

None of the PFC drivers have copper, but the pole piece is undercut. Very nice for the money with significant 2nd order distortion at an above 2.5Khz.