Small single driver speaker suggestion (and power rating question)

[percy]

Hi, I'd like to consider the option of building small(3"-4") single driver speakers to be used for HT and music as fronts and rears with a subwoofer - i.e. something that will go down to 80hz easily and mate with a subwoofer gracefully. Can anyone suggest some good options ?

I was just browsing some full range drivers(fostex) and noticed that all the 3"-4" driver's power rating was very less (5W-15W). Is it ok to use such low power rating in a HT setup ? Is this typical of full range drivers of this size ? I dont turn it up too high but still a 5W rating seems low.

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[morbo]

If you want to cross a 3-4" driver at 80hz you are going to limit your options a lot. Most of the 3" drivers I'm familiar with really want a crossover closer to 150hz. I ran TB871s crossed at 100hz via receiver and they were limited in terms of power handling. If your receiver can cross higher I would recommend trying the HiVi 3" mini speaker John Krutke is making. If not, the only option that I know of with sufficient power handling is the CSS WR125, if you made a sealed box for it it would have an f3 around 80-90hz which would work well with the 80hz crossover in your receiver.

[percy]

I'd really like to crossover at 80hz or less even if I have to go up one driver size (i.e 4"-4.5"). Also, cost is a factor. At $140/pr the WR125s are ruled out.

[Badwater]

I built an HT system around the Fostex FE167 using a small MLTL for the surrounds and center channel and Bob Briens FT1600 for the mains. The surrounds model flat to an F3 of about 60 HZ. I could have used these all around but I had already built the FT1600s. All the speakers are crossed over to the sub at 80 Hz using the HT receiver. This system is very nice and musical with more than enough power handling capability for my needs. Check out the following link for a pic. of the surrounds.

Good luck.


http://image10.webshots.com/10/7/61/...8NIepyl_fs.jpg

[joensd]

HT system around the Fostex FE167 using a small MLTL

Sorry to interrupt but could you give me some info on the enclosure and how you would rate it in comparison with the FT1600 or the recommended BR in case you tried that as well?

thanks&greets

[percy]

Badwater,
The link is not working. Anyway, what is the size of the enclosure you have used with the FE167 ?

I did some searching on the forum and found the reference speaker thread. A FE127E in the monopole cabinet is pretty close to what I am looking for!

In fact, to keep things simple and quick, how about a FE127E in a 8-9lt (0.25 cu ft) enclosure that PE sells - http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=302-704&DID=7

Will that work ? Any thoughts anyone ?

[morbo]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how can a 4.5" driver with a 0.65mm (!) Xmax give reasonable output levels below 100hz? Unless you are gaining a lot of output via horn loading or something else?

[bwbass]

I'm using the TangBand W4-1052sa , which has an fs of 63hz, 3.4mm of Xmax, and a 40 watt Pmax. MarkMck has a couple of excellent mods and filters designed for this driver which smooth it out considerably and extend the high end to around 17k.

I've designed my project for 10 watts max power handling, but with a sealed box or a higher crossover frequency in a vented box, you might get 20-30 watts into it at 80hz without exceeding xmax.

A bit more on my project: Need help with PLLXO High Pass filter for full range's!

[percy]

Originally posted by morbo
Maybe I'm missing something, but how can a 4.5" driver with a 0.65mm (!) Xmax give reasonable output levels below 100hz? Unless you are gaining a lot of output via horn loading or something else?

http://home.hetnet.nl/~geenius/Solo103.html

[morbo]

thanks for the link Percy. I had a look, but don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for there... there's no mention of maximum SPL levels, on the other hand there are repeated caveats about anything other than 'intimate' music.

Personally when I think HT speakers I think of robust, dynamic speakers that can handle big transients and explosion type effects wtihout strain. Most of all, I think of not wanting to worry about bottoming them out or frying them on unexpected peaks. When I was using the TB871s I was always worried about this, even though they are pretty cheap to replace.

FWIW, I have the CSS WR125 (a driver with similar Sd and about 17 times the linear exursion of the fe127) vented as a center channel, and even with the receiver's filter at 100hz I could probably push it into distortion if I had a large room or tried to get really high levels on a dynamic movie like Master and Commander.