Best off-axis drivers?

Spasticteapot · 28th December 2007, 12:04 AM

According to a fellow I know, off-axis response can actually do wonders for a speakers' sound. (How exactly this is, I'm not quite sure. )

Can anyone reccomend some good mid-woofers, midranges, and tweeters with unusually good off-axis response?

Cal Weldon · 28th December 2007, 12:46 AM

Hi,

Non-technical,

1. Off axis response doesn't determine quality. It is desirable when the listener is not in front of the speaker. Other times a detriment.

2. The smaller the driver, the better the dispersion.

3. The lower the frequency, the better the dispersion is naturally.

EDIT: Oops, I never answered your question.

bzfcocon · 28th December 2007, 05:45 AM

It's not only the off-axis response of each separate driver you should look for.

The goal is a consistent off-axis/power response of the whole box, getting as close as possible to constant directivity (having a flat response at each angle off-axis). This means either omnidirectionality (same response in all directions) or a uniform fall-off as you go off-axis. Thus, drivers with a large dispersion are not necessarily always the best - it all depends on what you want to achieve and how you combine them.

It has been pointed out that true CD cannot be obtained with piston sources(cone/dome drivers). It is nevertheless important to try to get as close to that as possible.

el`Ol · 28th December 2007, 01:52 PM

I wonder how a dome midrange paired with a ribbon would sound. I guess we would have seen that quite often in the eighties if they had good and affordable ribbons at that time. But since dome midranges have gone with the wind you were probably one of the first to try.

Zero Cool · 28th December 2007, 02:11 PM

There is a B&C cone midrange that has the best off axis response i have ever seen. cant find the model at the moment. 5 or 6" cone driver with a strange looking surround...very nice driver.

Zc

SamL · 28th December 2007, 08:09 PM

Driver with good off axis response will normally have bigger sweet spot. If you don't normally listen to music on one spot, good off axis will be something you looking for. However, top quality driver from Seas and SS don't have good off axis response. As always, there trade off.
Good 60D off axis with flat response driver is hard to find so far I only found these.
For midrange Seas 4in MCA11FC, if you can find it. For midbass, Peerless 4in 830854, 830870.
For tweeter, have a look at OWI and OWIV.
The best is download the catalog for each manufacturer from Madisound. If is easier to find what you looking for.

Have fun

bzfcocon · 28th December 2007, 09:37 PM

You could also take a look at the drivers used by Linkwitz for the omnidirectional Pluto:

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Pluto/construction.htm

It's a Peerless midwoofer and a Aura widerange.

BHTX · 28th December 2007, 10:40 PM

18Sound 6ND430:
http://www.eighteensound.com/index.a...roduct&pid=243

..Tilted response on-axis though. And I believe it was tough to find the 8 ohm version when I was searching for them, if I remember correctly. I was only able to find it in 16 ohms. Would probably make for a good MTM.

I agree with the statement regarding the Hiquphon 3/4" tweeters. Supposedly some of the best off-axis response to be had in a soft dome.

28th December 2007, 12:04 AM	#1
Spasticteapot diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wisconsin....what did you expect?	Best off-axis drivers? According to a fellow I know, off-axis response can actually do wonders for a speakers' sound. (How exactly this is, I'm not quite sure. ) Can anyone reccomend some good mid-woofers, midranges, and tweeters with unusually good off-axis response?

28th December 2007, 12:46 AM	#2
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Hi, Non-technical, 1. Off axis response doesn't determine quality. It is desirable when the listener is not in front of the speaker. Other times a detriment. 2. The smaller the driver, the better the dispersion. 3. The lower the frequency, the better the dispersion is naturally. EDIT: Oops, I never answered your question. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

28th December 2007, 05:45 AM	#3
bzfcocon diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bucharest	It's not only the off-axis response of each separate driver you should look for. The goal is a consistent off-axis/power response of the whole box, getting as close as possible to constant directivity (having a flat response at each angle off-axis). This means either omnidirectionality (same response in all directions) or a uniform fall-off as you go off-axis. Thus, drivers with a large dispersion are not necessarily always the best - it all depends on what you want to achieve and how you combine them. It has been pointed out that true CD cannot be obtained with piston sources(cone/dome drivers). It is nevertheless important to try to get as close to that as possible. __________________ I don't believe in audio believings.

28th December 2007, 09:37 PM	#7
bzfcocon diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bucharest	You could also take a look at the drivers used by Linkwitz for the omnidirectional Pluto: http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Pluto/construction.htm It's a Peerless midwoofer and a Aura widerange. __________________ I don't believe in audio believings.

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28th December 2007, 01:52 PM	#4
el`Ol diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bavarian Forest	I wonder how a dome midrange paired with a ribbon would sound. I guess we would have seen that quite often in the eighties if they had good and affordable ribbons at that time. But since dome midranges have gone with the wind you were probably one of the first to try.

28th December 2007, 02:11 PM	#5
Zero Cool Audio Junkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN	There is a B&C cone midrange that has the best off axis response i have ever seen. cant find the model at the moment. 5 or 6" cone driver with a strange looking surround...very nice driver. Zc

28th December 2007, 08:09 PM	#6
SamL diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wgtn	Driver with good off axis response will normally have bigger sweet spot. If you don't normally listen to music on one spot, good off axis will be something you looking for. However, top quality driver from Seas and SS don't have good off axis response. As always, there trade off. Good 60D off axis with flat response driver is hard to find so far I only found these. For midrange Seas 4in MCA11FC, if you can find it. For midbass, Peerless 4in 830854, 830870. For tweeter, have a look at OWI and OWIV. The best is download the catalog for each manufacturer from Madisound. If is easier to find what you looking for. Have fun

28th December 2007, 10:40 PM	#8
BHTX diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006	18Sound 6ND430: http://www.eighteensound.com/index.a...roduct&pid=243 ..Tilted response on-axis though. And I believe it was tough to find the 8 ohm version when I was searching for them, if I remember correctly. I was only able to find it in 16 ohms. Would probably make for a good MTM. I agree with the statement regarding the Hiquphon 3/4" tweeters. Supposedly some of the best off-axis response to be had in a soft dome.

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