I would add that power handling isn't really a design goal. Drivers aren't built to consume energy but rather to produce sound. So, a more efficient driver producing the same sound pressure level with half the power is more desirable.
Efficiency in general is linked to narrow gaps and that requires less thickness for the coil. And for a given coil thickness, it is better to reduce gauge than turns because voice coil turns is what makes the "engine" for the driver.
Handling high power transients for a woofer is more dependent on max excursion rather than heat dissipation. A powerful drum transient could easily cause excursion well beyond the safe limit but will hardly cause the coil to melt.
Woofers don't fail due to molten coils (typically).
And a heavy voice coil will affect transient performance of the woofer itself. In the same way that the membrane needs to be made of stiff but lightweight material.
Efficiency in general is linked to narrow gaps and that requires less thickness for the coil. And for a given coil thickness, it is better to reduce gauge than turns because voice coil turns is what makes the "engine" for the driver.
Handling high power transients for a woofer is more dependent on max excursion rather than heat dissipation. A powerful drum transient could easily cause excursion well beyond the safe limit but will hardly cause the coil to melt.
Woofers don't fail due to molten coils (typically).
And a heavy voice coil will affect transient performance of the woofer itself. In the same way that the membrane needs to be made of stiff but lightweight material.