Tangband W8-1808 and PE Buyout

[Godzilla]

I bought these two lovely drivers and listened to them last night. The TB cost around $184 and the PE Buyout $10. They both make music and do not require a tweeter (the PE Buyout could use help on top and bottom tho). I used them both in the same small (maybe half a cubic foot box) sealed, but lossy, box. Tweeters disconnected.

The TB is an amazingly fine sounding driver (even in this box) and does everything right. My hat's off to the designer. They sounded spitty at first listen which i thought would be a major flaw but that went away within minutes (so strange). I sat back and enjoyed this speaker for nearly an hour. A friend listened with me and also thought they were incredibly good. They have tone and depth to the sound. I've heard this with the Fostex 168S in the past and believe it to be the mark of better drivers. Instruments and vocals were easily followed. They are on the warm side (which i prefer) and everything sounds natural (trumpet, sax and stringed bass all sounded wonderful and clearly in their own space). Brushed cymbals were naturally portrayed too. They move a lot with power so be careful!

The PE Buyout is not as good of course sounding flatter, smaller and congested in comparison with less extension on top and bottom but... they also sounded pleasant and could be used as a full range driver without any assistance to good effect. I may drop them into the Straight Pipes i have or simply put them into lossy boxes and leave them alone to enjoy in my office space. At $10 every full range driver fan should buy them. I feel they are a bargain bc the mids are grain free (but kazoo sounding at first listen until you adjust to their balance) and are totally unoffensive. Some warmth with a forward mid... recessed treble but you can hear everything if you choose to listen carefully. Oddball parameters to play with but not sure this driver is too picky about where it goes... meant for ceiling, but it's a bargain full ranger at triple the price imo... Listening to them now as TBs sit in boxes, protected like jewelry. Hope i'm not afraid to use them, LOL.

Parts-Express.com:*Tang Band W8-1808 8" Neodymium Full Range Driver | Tang Band W8-1808 8" Full Range Driver full range tb speakers neodymium driver line array point source midrange home theater computer speaker center channel set tube amplifier

Parts-Express.com:*8" Full-Range Ceiling Speaker | 8" Full-Range Ceiling Speaker public address pa distributed audio paging system 70v middle atlantic ga-8

Godzilla

[chuyler1]

Do you think cone and basket treatment would help the PE buyout?

[Godzilla]

>>> Do you think cone and basket treatment would help the PE buyout?

Don't see why rope caulk on rear of basket wouldnt help. The speaker is pretty lightweight. But it looks well made and the cone and wizzer are perfectly lined up and look sturdy. The basket is the cheapest part probably. The surround is pretty stiff. Not much movement on the cone. It's pretty simple looking... like a really nice piece of black cardboard suspended by an accordian surround. Maybe a phase plug? Cut them up and paint them if you like. I may play around with them at some point but for now just enjoying them stock.

Godzilla

[mp9]

i know you're just futzing around but is that tb in a sealed or vented box? only asking because i'm interested in 1808 and 1772. if sealed i've a pair of epi 100 8" driver minimal x-over sealed box's i could do the same with to get the ball rolling with the 1808 who's manufacture fq resp plot looks more benign to me.
please keep us posted on your tb's progress.

[Godzilla]

Yes, i am futzing. I want you to realize the W8-1808 does not fit into a normal 7.125" hole. It fits in a 7.625" hole so it may or may not fit the EPI cutout. I was at the hardware store today and cut some wood to get these drivers on an open baffle (with bass support) this weekend. The bass they have is very 'textured' and natural sounding to me. I can easily see someone putting these into a simple box (small, medium or large) and enjoying just like that. I have not figured a port size yet. The box i had them in was sealed but their are a few screws missing from the tweeter (which is disconnected) and the woofer so i'd consider it a 'lossy' or aperiodic box. You may be able to seal this driver up in a small box and sit them on top of H-frames or some kind of subwoofer and really have something special. The treble is slightly soft but accurate and realistic sounding. Brushed cymbals sounded very natural to me. I will play with adding a tweeter but do not think it needs one. The only potential issue with this driver, as far as i can see, is power handling. I will continue to futz now!

Godzilla

[mp9]

I'm using a 2A3 set amp so definitely want to hear more about power handling / o.b., and if it will abate it.

[cygnus x1]

TB W8-1808 or TB W8-1772? I was just getting ready to buy the 1772, but the graph looks like top end is a little smoother. Anyone listen to both? Looking at BIB, or maybe ChileChang? Will use with SET300b amp. Did I see a thread for the TB W8-1772? Maybe I should ask there? BTW I will by the PE close out...can't beat the price.

[preiter]

Possible match for the buyout in OB?

Parts-Express.com:*Goldwood GW-215/8 15" OEM Woofer 8 Ohm | goldwood coils COIL 8 ohm 3.5mm 2 ohm 15" woofer DOTD032907 goldwood-10408 PismoWoof123008

It looks close enough in efficiency for a passive crossover. Could be a nice system for under $100 a pair.

[Godzilla]

I think this one may be better.

Parts-Express.com:*Goldwood GW-215/40/8 15" OEM Woofer 40 oz. | woofer gw-215/40/8 15" woofer shielded woofer midbass goldwood pismo series PismoWoof123008

I nearly bought this one bc it's qts is just perfect for ob and the efficiency is higher than the one mentioned above. Probably both will provide plenty of grunt.

Yes, the PE Buyout is probably 88 or 89db per watt and yes, the TB sounded more efficient (rated at 93 but probably closer to 91 or 92 in my estimation). I hope to have the TB on open baffle this weekend... but need to cut holes to accommodate it first. I will pop the PE Buyout in with the Alpha 15's i have in the Boomer. Will compare to B20 and Betsy.

Godzilla

[mp9]

are you trying the 1808 o.b., solo or / 2 X alpha 15 per side? that brings up another question. is it even poss for a 1808 O.B. to produce adequate low fq solo sans bass driver augmentation in smaller rooms requiring ≤55hz ?