Flat cone drivers - opinions?

chuck55 · 22nd May 2009, 06:45 PM

Any comments on this new Tang-Band driver:
W4-1798S

Would this be better than a curved cone shape? Tang band claims "wide dispersion performance". It's heavier than a comparable driver. I noticed B&W only used a flat cone on the midrange so maybe not a good choice for a ful range design.

JoshuaTechnomage · 23rd May 2009, 01:18 AM

My understanding is that most cones are cone shaped to maintain stiffness so they don't bend. Only in the past (couple?) decades or so have have certain new materials become common that are stiff enough to make a flat diaphragm out of without bending. Usually sandwich materials made from kevlar or carbon fiber with a honeycomb Nomex or similar type core, or in this case, Aluminum. There are several flat speakers on the market but they aren't as common as they could be and I'm not sure why. This one looks interesting.

Found more info in another forum:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=30060

gainphile · 23rd May 2009, 01:48 AM

That impedance plot shows where the breakup is. Quite nasty too.

But damn thats a good-looking driver.

chuck55 · 23rd May 2009, 05:50 PM

The W4-1757S is a little different. Lighter cone and Xmax of 2mm not 3mm. But probably representative of the design.

Thawach · 24th May 2009, 01:48 PM

aluminum sandwich cone is only 4" it might be a little breakup mode.

Dr.EM · 24th May 2009, 03:46 PM

The B&W Nautilus uses a flat diaphragm 4" lower mid unit, you now have the driver to do a clone with!

Very interesting driver, will be interested if anyone gets these. There are at least 2 different photos of them around, compare the datasheet to the parts express photo, and then the photo on the linked htguide thread seems to have a more blue looking diaphragm!

EDIT: there are 2 different flat drivers by TB? It's the W4-1757S that has 2 different photos, and the original posted one appears to be a different/new model.

jzagaja · 27th October 2009, 07:39 AM

Tangbands requires a lot of work with crossover notches.

enigmaticEntity. · 27th October 2009, 09:28 AM

Is that hexa-grid detachable? Looks interesting, but I still think there's a little way to go before flat diaphragm speakers will be really competitive.

"Flat cone" - it's actually more descriptive than "flat diaphragm", but then sounds silly when you think about it...

pjanda1 · 27th October 2009, 08:02 PM

If you are curious about flat drivers in general, you might google FAL for some eye candy. Peter Daniel has discussed them over here, so check the forum too. They are a fine looking (and sounding, by all accounts) speaker, but not quite as affordable as the TB.

Paul
Wild Burro Audio Labs - DIY Full Range Speakers

22nd May 2009, 06:45 PM	#1
chuck55 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New England	Flat cone drivers - opinions? Any comments on this new Tang-Band driver: W4-1798S Would this be better than a curved cone shape? Tang band claims "wide dispersion performance". It's heavier than a comparable driver. I noticed B&W only used a flat cone on the midrange so maybe not a good choice for a ful range design.

23rd May 2009, 01:48 AM	#3
gainphile diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melbourne the sunny city!	That impedance plot shows where the breakup is. Quite nasty too. But damn thats a good-looking driver. __________________ http://gainphile.blogspot.com

24th May 2009, 03:46 PM	#6
Dr.EM diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Swindon	The B&W Nautilus uses a flat diaphragm 4" lower mid unit, you now have the driver to do a clone with! Very interesting driver, will be interested if anyone gets these. There are at least 2 different photos of them around, compare the datasheet to the parts express photo, and then the photo on the linked htguide thread seems to have a more blue looking diaphragm! EDIT: there are 2 different flat drivers by TB? It's the W4-1757S that has 2 different photos, and the original posted one appears to be a different/new model. __________________ My music page 3-Way system build thread

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23rd May 2009, 01:18 AM	#2
JoshuaTechnomage diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2009	My understanding is that most cones are cone shaped to maintain stiffness so they don't bend. Only in the past (couple?) decades or so have have certain new materials become common that are stiff enough to make a flat diaphragm out of without bending. Usually sandwich materials made from kevlar or carbon fiber with a honeycomb Nomex or similar type core, or in this case, Aluminum. There are several flat speakers on the market but they aren't as common as they could be and I'm not sure why. This one looks interesting. Found more info in another forum: http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=30060

23rd May 2009, 05:50 PM	#4
chuck55 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New England	The W4-1757S is a little different. Lighter cone and Xmax of 2mm not 3mm. But probably representative of the design.

24th May 2009, 01:48 PM	#5
Thawach diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007	aluminum sandwich cone is only 4" it might be a little breakup mode.

27th October 2009, 09:28 AM	#8
enigmaticEntity. diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tasmania	Is that hexa-grid detachable? Looks interesting, but I still think there's a little way to go before flat diaphragm speakers will be really competitive. "Flat cone" - it's actually more descriptive than "flat diaphragm", but then sounds silly when you think about it...

27th October 2009, 08:02 PM	#9
pjanda1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Nebraska Panhandle	If you are curious about flat drivers in general, you might google FAL for some eye candy. Peter Daniel has discussed them over here, so check the forum too. They are a fine looking (and sounding, by all accounts) speaker, but not quite as affordable as the TB. Paul Wild Burro Audio Labs - DIY Full Range Speakers

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