Choice of Mid-Range Drivers?

[Francec]

I'm in the process of turning 2 ways into active three ways. The current drivers are:
Bass Peerless 830868 8" Data Page
Tweeter Vifa D25 TG-55 1" dome Too old even for archives

These are also up for review at some time way in the future, but the the current issue is the choice of a mid-range driver. I would like to use the mid-range to cover 300 to 3,500 Hz which I appreciate is a big ask.
The contenders are;
Peerless 830854 Data page
Peerless 832873 Data page
Vifa PL11MH09-08 Data page
Can I ask the opinion of forum members which they consider the 'best' and for what reasons? I generally play rock and, yes, I do have a fondness of 'loud'.

Thanks

Frank

[Andy G]

I think the "loud" comments makes me lean toward the 5" nomex, just that little bit more oomph than the other two. The Nomex's are rather nice , too

ps.. you got the link to the PL11 wrong, but that's ok, got all the data here.

[Francec]

Thanks Andy,
So the 300 and 3500 Hz are OK? And does it 'sound' as good as the other two?

Frank

[Moondog55]

HiFrank, the only further comment i'll make is this: - if you are thinking of replaving the woofer in the future pick the mid that will work with the new woofer, and if you are happy with the existing Peerless 8 then perhapsmyou should look at a bigger Peerless driver.
Or add another driver fot a 3.5 way system, as you know I rather fancy the 3.5 way using a bigger woofer crossed very low for the .5, as your bi-amping maybe that isn't possible, but you could play around with sealed box tuning to give the desired effect.

[planet10]

Originally posted by Francec
I would like to use the mid-range to cover 300 to 3,500 Hz which I appreciate is a big ask.

The midrange in my current 3-way system is covering 100-15k so with the right driver your more limited range should be doable.

dave

[Andy G]

Even though the tweeter is unknown, (are you sure its not a D27 TG?), I'd say it would be nice crossed at 3k, and any of those mid drivers will be good to 3k even with a very simple low order x-o.

Look at the 3-way linked series x-o stuff on my site, you may find it the simplest way to get REALLY nice sound , and any of those mid drivers, with that woof and tweet, should work rather well with that style of x-o

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~grad...ss-overs8b.htm

[Francec]

Andy
The cross-overs are active; the 24dB per octave
P09 from Rod Elliot feeding into LM3886 P19 modules from Rod as well.

Frank

[GM]

FWIW, my thoughts WRT the basics of how to choose a mid driver: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...92#post1679992

For 'loud', the 'filler' mid is preferable, but if you're determined to go wide BW, then for loud rock or similar I recommend using a prosound or at least a high power HIFI mid suitable for XOing at least -12 dB outside the desired 300-3500 Hz BW in your case, i.e. a ~flat BW to ~212-4950 Hz if 4th order.

GM

[Francec]

I thought this question may have genertaed a bit more of a response.

[Moondog55]

Perhaps this is because at Christmas every-one is thinking more about presents and parties.

If money was no object you could buy them all and build lots of test boxes and pick the one that works/sounds best to you.

There are other choices from different suppliers, but any one of those drivers would be suitable as a mid in a high quality 3-way.
Sometimes you just have to build it and listen.

Regards
and
Merry Christmas
and
other seasonal and religious celebrations as well
Ted