Visaton B200 vs Audax PR170M0

[AudioGeek]

Looking for a high sensitivity 97db around there.

low x-over at 500hz 12db slope.

OB.

top x-over at 6-8 or run fullrange.

either 2 Audax or one Visaton.

thoughts?

[chrisb]

well, a couple of thoughts:

the Audax is no doubt a fine midrange driver - spec'ed at 100dB, a single unit already has higher sensitivity than your stated goal


B200 has far better low end response and while 4dB lower in sensitivity than the Audax , it's still pretty darn close to your figure.

While I've not heard the Audax, I have heard the Visaton several times in moderate to fairly small OBs - it's more than a little bit musically involving. I would think you could try a lower frequency for the low crossover. (i.e easily below 200).

There may very be no such thing as a true high efficiency, Full Range (20-20K) driver, but for my money the Visaton B200 does a darn good job covering the most critical range. If my music room was large enough, it would definitely be on my list.

Argeed, it may need some assistance above 12k for some situations; depending on your preference for horn or ribbons, I can envision a simple HP filter to something like Fostex FT17H at the budget end, or FT7RP, Fountek Neo Cd3.0, or Visaton's own TL16H, horn or MHT12 ribbon.

Be prepared for that last octave (or portion,depending on your selected XO) to cost more than the 8 or so preceding it. I've given up on trying for anything below 40Hz

FWIW, I'd suggest starting with a single B200 per side. After about 200-300 hrs of break-in and living with it full range, then consider whether you're missing anything at either end. (with Planet10 phase plugs and EnABL treatment, you could well be more than satisfied without)

[AudioGeek]

well its either 200 bucks for one B200 or 140 for 2 PR170M0.

The B200 looks a little flatter in response and probably go full range with it.

If I am going to roll the mids off around 500Hz, which would make the best choice?

defiantly a tweeter on top end.

[ScottG]

Stick with the Audax's.

(..Unless you are not transitioning over to a tweeter at or below 3 kHz.)

[AudioGeek]

transitioning to tweeter at 6-8K

so u mean audax or visaton then?

[ttan98]

another alternative suggested by Lyn Olson, see this thread below. He suggests driver from 18 sound,

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...72#post1353872

looks interesting.

[ScottG]

Originally posted by AudioGeek
transitioning to tweeter at 6-8K

so u mean audax or visaton then?

You will run into serious combing then (..with 2 drivers operating that high in freq.)

I'd still pick just one Audax driver with a fairly steep high pass at 500 Hz depending on your power needs vs. distortion, vs. the visaton.

[Magnetar]

Originally posted by ttan98
another alternative suggested by Lyn Olson, see this thread below. He suggests driver from 18 sound,

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...72#post1353872

looks interesting.

if you are talking about the little 6" it will work very well in a horn - to use it on a baffle without loading it would be really dumb IME.

[AudioGeek]

well i can try the audax, 1 per channel run full out with a xover at 500hz. 12db slope.

unless there is a better driver.

[chrismercurio]

I have a pair of Audax is you are interested. I have only used them for testing. PM me if interested.

C