Small driver/cabinet design recommendation

[persisting1]

Hi all,

This will be my first attempt at DIY.

I'm looking to build a cabinet as small as possible, but still allow the driver to work as intended. The driver will only be used for mids in a sealed box. The x-over will be set between 80Hz-200Hz.

I have yet to pick out a driver. Anything from 5"-7" will be sufficient. But size is important. The smaller the cabinet the better.

I have a pair of Usher 8948A. I know this is a larger driver and I might not be able to get the cabinet small enough. Any recommendations on how small I can go with these?
http://www.loudspeakershop.eu/pdf/8948-a.pdf

I've also been looking at the 5.5" Seas CA15RLY
http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=106&Item id=128

or the 6.5" Peerless HDS 830883.
http://www.madisound.com/pdf/peerless/830883.pdf

Any help or suggestions with either a cabinet design or driver will be appreciated.

[Inductor]

Originally Posted by persisting1

I have a pair of Usher 8948A. I know this is a larger driver and I might not be able to get the cabinet small enough. Any recommendations on how small I can go with these?

This is a good driver and you say w/cut frequency about 80/200Hz meaning you have a sub or another woofer? As a mid you can make the box smaller, I think it might work. You will need then tweeters with the 8948s. What are going to be the drivers for low frequencies?

[persisting1]

Originally Posted by Inductor

This is a good driver and you say w/cut frequency about 80/200Hz meaning you have a sub or another woofer? As a mid you can make the box smaller, I think it might work. You will need then tweeters with the 8948s. What are going to be the drivers for low frequencies?

I have a ACI Force XL which uses a 10" driver that will handle everything below 80Hz.

Any suggestions on how small I can make the cabinet for the 8948s?

Inductor, a little side not. I have a friend who just got back from Cascais. She loved it

[Inductor]

You have the possibility of making a closed box (blue=7,8L) with freq F3 about 80/90/100Hz. Also if you want a speaker (mid) than can run without the sub look at the BR boxes (brown=14L/red=13L). You get better integration, phase with closed boxes but have in mind that in the case of smaller boxes like 5/6L you have resonant frequencies (up) very close to 100Hz. So that's why I say the blue box seems a good compromise, maybe with a xover around 100/150Hz, you get the idea. I'm being flexible and someone will say different. This is a first approach that needs to be checked again.

Originally Posted by persisting1

Inductor, a little side not. I have a friend who just got back from Cascais. She loved it

Really nice. Hope they had a nice weather too.

[persisting1]

Thanks for the help Inductor.

I think I'll go with a smaller driver. I'm looking for a 6" or 6.5" driver now.

[Inductor]

Originally Posted by persisting1

I think I'll go with a smaller driver. I'm looking for a 6" or 6.5" driver now.

That's not going to be easy. That's a very good driver (I say this from specs), unless you really don't have the space or it does not fit your design. It's a good start for a "Small driver/cabinet design".

[persisting1]

Inductor, PM sent.

[Inductor]

I understand that space is a problem from your PM and that you need your system on a table/workstation. I don't have a small speaker system, there are a few in DIY, from memory. Some people also say good things about COAX'S, in this case maybe (it) doesn't make sense. Maybe the Focal's www.zalytron.com/ for your project. The only problem, is that the metallic cones, like the one you have (in second), are difficult to work with. Maybe someone can chime in.

[Inductor]

Look, as another example, at Mid Woofers drivers Mid Woofers - Meniscus Audio Group, Inc.| Speaker Components |, like in your 3.option above. Set some max prices for those, also, so others can help, or get a complete (new) DIY project with xover made by others.
Ex: SEAS, ER15RLY SEAS, ER15RLY by: SEAS Prestige - Meniscus Audio Group, Inc.| Speaker

But as you are working with a sub you don't need this so much, just a/the mids section/mid woofer project. This is for a 5" MID-WOOFER. http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/HDS134_DX.htm

[persisting1]

Inductor,

What would be the smallest cabinet I could build for the Seas CA15RLY?
THE ART OF SOUND PERFECTION BY SEAS - H1216-08 CA15RLY

Thanks