Advice on highest quality full range driver

deandob · 10th December 2005, 10:53 PM

Hi,

I'm looking to build a full range system over the New Year holidays. I have been reading this forum and the other one at fullrangespeaker.com and have not been able to work out what would be the highest quality driver for my situation, as follows:

1) Lowest distortion. John Krutke did an excellent job measuring and comparing a number of lower price drivers. I have a pair of Tang-Band W3-871s as a computer speaker, which is a great speaker for the price. However I have not seen a similar comparison for the higher quality / price full range drivers

2) I will be using a sub below 100hz. I don't believe a full range driver can do the top end well and do the bottom end justice, the physics just don't allow it.

3) Happy to spend a couple of hundred dollars per driver to get the best.

4) Prefer a smaller driver, as I want to build bookshelf / small boxes. 3" - 5" preferred.

5) I listen to rock music mostly, however I dont expect this speaker to be driven to high SPLs, and it will be in a medium to large room.

6) Using a class-D amp (Hypex), so speed, dynamics, clarity and soundstage are important.

Any ideas? From what I can work out, the Jordan jx92 is best suited, however I'd be interested in comparisons with other equivalent drivers and what the differences in sound would be between these drivers.

Regards,
Dean

ErikdeBest · 10th December 2005, 11:04 PM

Welcome to the endless search for the highest quality full range driver.

You already state you will be using the speaker mostly for rock - what kind of rock should I imagine? I've read comments that the Jordan is pretty good at voices/jazz, light things...but is messy at orchestra music, so probably won't do that good on the 'heavier kinds of rock' too.

Good luck

Erik

deandob · 10th December 2005, 11:23 PM

Thanks Erik,

Music is mostly light rock & some instrumental / voices.

I'm interested in subjective observations of differences in voice (tone/timbre), dynamics (speed), clarity (distortion) between the different high end full range drivers, and how they suit for near field and far field listening.

I can look up the objective differences between the drivers in their datasheets

Regards,
Dean

Scottmoose · 11th December 2005, 12:39 AM

Lowther DX55. I do hope you're feeling rich though. If you can find any left, the limited edition Fostex FE166ES-R with its frightening magnet leaves most other things standing.

Cheaper and smaller: Fostex FE108ESigma could be a good bet, still cheaper, the latest version of their FE126E is making major waves at the moment. Providing you can find any that is...
Best
Scott

deandob · 11th December 2005, 06:44 AM

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the listing of recommeded drivers, which acted as a starting point for more research. It sounds like the DX55 is the driver to beat but costs big bucks.

Has anyone made a comparison between the DX55 and the Jordan Jx92?

Regards,
Dean

sumacSK · 11th December 2005, 08:28 AM

Hi,

Take a look also at veravox 5X. There is not much info about it on the net, but from what i've read, it should be one of the best.

Martin

deandob · 11th December 2005, 12:15 PM

Interesting that all the drivers recommended are ones that are rated for high dynamics, ie. lightweight cones, fast acceleration, strong magnets etc.

Can anyone comment on the sound differences between the Veravox 5X, Lowther DX55 and Jordan jx92 as these seem to be the shortlist?

Regards,
Dean

soongsc · 11th December 2005, 02:11 PM

It's a pity companies don't publish large signal test results such as Klippel data. That would really help narrowing down selection.

Scottmoose · 11th December 2005, 02:26 PM

Yup. No less a luminary than Nelson Pass himself. Along with a dozen more too. This is from Nelson's First Watt site, and is refering to using power transconductance amplifiers (current-source amps) with full-range drivers, but it has good comparisons using voltage sources with these drivers too. Makes a good read. It might take a few seconds to load up though: it's a 2.5mb page.

Best
Scott

Landroval · 11th December 2005, 07:59 PM

How about the different Supravox 215 models? The 215-2000?
http://www.supravox.fr/les_hp.htm

Or Fostex F200A:
http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...F-Series.shtml

I've heard neither, but they seem to have some fans.

10th December 2005, 10:53 PM	#1
deandob diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia	Advice on highest quality full range driver Hi, I'm looking to build a full range system over the New Year holidays. I have been reading this forum and the other one at fullrangespeaker.com and have not been able to work out what would be the highest quality driver for my situation, as follows: 1) Lowest distortion. John Krutke did an excellent job measuring and comparing a number of lower price drivers. I have a pair of Tang-Band W3-871s as a computer speaker, which is a great speaker for the price. However I have not seen a similar comparison for the higher quality / price full range drivers 2) I will be using a sub below 100hz. I don't believe a full range driver can do the top end well and do the bottom end justice, the physics just don't allow it. 3) Happy to spend a couple of hundred dollars per driver to get the best. 4) Prefer a smaller driver, as I want to build bookshelf / small boxes. 3" - 5" preferred. 5) I listen to rock music mostly, however I dont expect this speaker to be driven to high SPLs, and it will be in a medium to large room. 6) Using a class-D amp (Hypex), so speed, dynamics, clarity and soundstage are important. Any ideas? From what I can work out, the Jordan jx92 is best suited, however I'd be interested in comparisons with other equivalent drivers and what the differences in sound would be between these drivers. Regards, Dean

11th December 2005, 02:11 PM	#8
soongsc diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Taiwan	It's a pity companies don't publish large signal test results such as Klippel data. That would really help narrowing down selection. __________________ Hear the real thing!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Vintage Full range- Need some cab advice	waam68	Full Range	7	19th August 2008 10:30 PM
Full range vs. quality studio monitors	schn0354	Full Range	28	17th August 2008 05:12 AM
Full Range Dipole Designs - Any Advice?	Forster	Full Range	5	9th January 2007 02:13 PM
Advice: a fence post for a full range?	sol	Full Range	25	1st January 2007 11:26 PM
Advice on full range enclosure for 5.1 setup	CDJ	Multi-Way	3	21st January 2003 06:28 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

10th December 2005, 11:04 PM	#2
ErikdeBest diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Itoculo	Welcome to the endless search for the highest quality full range driver. You already state you will be using the speaker mostly for rock - what kind of rock should I imagine? I've read comments that the Jordan is pretty good at voices/jazz, light things...but is messy at orchestra music, so probably won't do that good on the 'heavier kinds of rock' too. Good luck Erik

10th December 2005, 11:23 PM	#3
deandob diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia	Thanks Erik, Music is mostly light rock & some instrumental / voices. I'm interested in subjective observations of differences in voice (tone/timbre), dynamics (speed), clarity (distortion) between the different high end full range drivers, and how they suit for near field and far field listening. I can look up the objective differences between the drivers in their datasheets Regards, Dean

11th December 2005, 12:39 AM	#4
Scottmoose diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK	Lowther DX55. I do hope you're feeling rich though. If you can find any left, the limited edition Fostex FE166ES-R with its frightening magnet leaves most other things standing. Cheaper and smaller: Fostex FE108ESigma could be a good bet, still cheaper, the latest version of their FE126E is making major waves at the moment. Providing you can find any that is... Best Scott

11th December 2005, 06:44 AM	#5
deandob diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia	Hi Scott, Thanks for the listing of recommeded drivers, which acted as a starting point for more research. It sounds like the DX55 is the driver to beat but costs big bucks. Has anyone made a comparison between the DX55 and the Jordan Jx92? Regards, Dean

11th December 2005, 08:28 AM	#6
sumacSK diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Prague	Hi, Take a look also at veravox 5X. There is not much info about it on the net, but from what i've read, it should be one of the best. Martin

11th December 2005, 12:15 PM	#7
deandob diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia	Interesting that all the drivers recommended are ones that are rated for high dynamics, ie. lightweight cones, fast acceleration, strong magnets etc. Can anyone comment on the sound differences between the Veravox 5X, Lowther DX55 and Jordan jx92 as these seem to be the shortlist? Regards, Dean

11th December 2005, 02:26 PM	#9
Scottmoose diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK	Yup. No less a luminary than Nelson Pass himself. Along with a dozen more too. This is from Nelson's First Watt site, and is refering to using power transconductance amplifiers (current-source amps) with full-range drivers, but it has good comparisons using voltage sources with these drivers too. Makes a good read. It might take a few seconds to load up though: it's a 2.5mb page. Best Scott

11th December 2005, 07:59 PM	#10
Landroval diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	How about the different Supravox 215 models? The 215-2000? http://www.supravox.fr/les_hp.htm Or Fostex F200A: http://www.fostexinternational.com/d...F-Series.shtml I've heard neither, but they seem to have some fans.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)