Hi Efficiency two way?

[Godzilla]

Can a high efficiency two way be built similar to the expensive Audio Note speakers? Which are the truly good sounding 8 inch drivers out there that are over 90db per watt? Which tweeters go low enough to be a good match for them? Has anyone built something with excellent results?

Here are links to some of the higher efficiency 8 inch drivers i found at PE:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=290-063

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-100

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=297-310

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=290-042

I know Madisound has a few from Seas that are rated at 89db. Any thoughts?

TIA,
Godzilla

[winslow]

Your definition of high efficiency is different than mine.

What about the B&C 8NW51?

[BHTX]

Originally posted by winslow
Your definition of high efficiency is different than mine.

Yeah mine too.

Do yourself a favor and go larger and forget the toy "tweeters".

[Rybaudio]

For a reality check let's put some numbers down: a device that takes in 1w and puts out 90 dB at 1m in half space is .6% efficient. That seems pretty low, but in all reality you're probably going to have a hard time finding an 8" driver higher than that that also plays all the way down.

[BHTX]

..Which is why you go larger.

[Samber]

Godzilla, I have had amazing luck with Seas drivers. I would start there. Nice rubber surrounds, cast frames, and good specs make Seas a winner. Not so Vifa, IMHO. I've had bad luck with Vifa power handling.

I am currently running the Dayton classic series 5.25" woofers in their "Tri-trix" transmission line project. Driven by 16 watts of tube power these are simply amazing. My ~150 ft^2 living room is full of sound with these speakers. However the Dayton Classic series 8" is below your minimum 90dB efficiency limit.

Audax makes a sexy silk dome that can be crossed over pretty low, as does Dayton. The Audax TW025A0 can go amlost all the way down to 1kHz. And the tweeter in the Tri Trix design is crossed over at 1,500 Hz. Either of these would be a place to start.

[Rybaudio]

Originally posted by BHTX
..Which is why you go larger.

Unless you're dead set on using a dome, in which case you really can't without either stressing the dome or comprimising the polar behavior around the crossover region. If you can go horn/wg + compression driver, then you're in business.

[planet10]

Originally posted by Godzilla
Can a high efficiency two way be built similar to the expensive Audio Note speakers?

The Audio Note speakers use drivers primamrily made by SEAS and the efficiency figures quoted are VERY optimistic.

dave

[gtforme00]

I have always wondered about those Pioneers. Particularly the B20GR30, it looks like it would be good in a ML-TQWT.

A waveguide mounted dome tweeter with low resonance should match well.

I'm sure you've read Troels' page:
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JA8008.htm

$930 + freight from Denmark.

-David

[John Bsuch]

Hello all....

Of the four choices offered from PE.... the one that has the best overall performance is the Vifa ....hands down....

It really is 91 db per watt and then some.... In a 2 cu ft box it will get into the mid 30's and with it's relitively large SD and clean 4 MM x max ( with BL that holds out to about 5MM) it will play pretty loud into the mid 30's.... and its roll off is text book. Mate it with the Seas 27 TDFC and you can work a classic 2nd order crossover at around 1800 .... give or take.... For a simple medium efficiency two way ... simple to execute with proven drivers it just does not get any better....BTDT.

My $0.02 worth....

Go for it!!

John