planet10 and others: 40-1197 open baffle mid

[jsaults]

I was thinking of using these as an open baffle mid/ widerange. They are fully modified of course (damped, dammar and phase plugs).
My question is if I were to passively cross them to a woofer what do you think is the lowest I could go without causing problems associated with large capacitors?
I know this is a fullrange forum, but you guys are the most familiar with this family of drivers. Please forgive me for thinking of putting components in the signal path.
I think this driver has excellent midrange qualities and its efficiency make me think crossing it to a high efficiency woofer might be fun. Thanks guys!

[bigwill]

I'll hazard a guess and say cross it somewhere in the region of 200-300hz to a nice efficient PA 15" woofer

[Cal Weldon]

Dave let me use a pair of Coral holey baskets as an OB mid without complaining. Even gave me the idea so I'd bet he's OK with you doing it with the 40-1197's.

I agree with bigwill that 2-300 would be OK. 2nd order will give you decent power handling.

[TerryO]

I'll join in and recommend at least 300Hz for a crossover point. A bit higher wouldn't hurt, but 300 will allow nearly a couple of octaves above Fs for the 1197. The higher you go the cheaper the cap will be and, as Cal pointed out, you gain power handling. Something else, and this is my opinion, with the value that you'll be using and the low frequency involved, I'd use a large non-polar electrolytic cap. I am pursuaded by my experience that you would be hard pressed to hear a difference. I'm older and my hearing isn't as good as it once was, but I've never felt it was very important for crossovers to use expensive caps. Inductors OTOH, can be heard and you'll want to use a fairly substancial AWG. I'd also look at an Iron Core Inductor if the price is significantly higher for an Air Core.
Whatever you do, the point is to have fun and learn.

BTW: keep us posted on your progress.

Best Regards,
TerryO

[jsaults]

Thanks guys for the input, I was hoping the Fs thing would come in to the conversation, I have also noticed crossing near there seems to do something funny to the sound, I did it once to some Tang Bands and the effect was not subtle. I will go for a second order for sure. Now for some budget high efficiency 15"ers. Suggestions? I don't need to go that low, I'd be happy with 30-40hz. I do have sizeable room gain, it's a small living room. I am running a tube buffered IGC.

[bigwill]

The Eminence Alpha or Beta 15 might do well. I'd recommend two per side for higher SPLs though, as they have a low xmax.

[Cal Weldon]

I think that's where we part company. I think going with two is overkill for that little driver.

Arghh....that almost....killed me to ......say.

Budget? How about this place?

http://stores.ebay.com/101-WORLD_PRO...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

[bigwill]

I think a single Alpha or Beta will be better than any of those

[happy.gringo]

How about a pair of these Goldwood 12s for about the same price as a single Alpha 15? The QTS is 7:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=290-392

[bigwill]

Originally posted by happy.gringo
How about a pair of these Goldwood 12s for about the same price as a single Alpha 15? The QTS is 7:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=290-392

These have half the x-max unfortunately so although two 12" drivers have roughly the cone area of at 18" driver, the xmax is still halved