8" dipole midrange driver - recommendations?

[J.R.Freeman]

Good morning all,

This is just a fun exercise in daydreaming. I'm considering a 3 way dipole set up.

Just for fun, what kinds of 8" drivers are out there that have been proven to work well as a dipole mid? I'm thinking of something out the prosound world, 95 dB or better if possible 1w/1m.

[chris661]

Eminence Beta 8A.

Used and researched extensively.

[cuibono]

I'd second that - I've used Dayton RS225s and Alpha 6a. There are two things in particular you need to look for: high Xmax, and high sensitivity/power handling. It is hard to get both of these, but what ever one is lower is your limiting factor.

For instance, the Alpha 8a has only 3mm Xmax (RS225 has 7mm) - this limits how low versus how loud you can go.

But the RS225 is only about 88dBSPL/80W power handling (versus Alpha8a 95dBSPL/225W power handling) - with the RS225, the massive EQ (about 18dB) uses up most of you power handling (about 64W). This also limits how loud you can go.

In reality, things work out better than they look on paper. It is just good to know where your limits are approximately.

[chris661]

He's looking for a midrange speaker. Xmax is irrelevant.

[cuibono]

He didn't state his xo frequencies, but I consider midrange 150-1500Hz. Xmax matters below 300Hz, depending how loud you want to play.

[J.R.Freeman]

Thank you, to both of you for your comments.

The Beta 8A does look interesting, and Eminence makes some nice things for sure. I wonder, however, if the basket type is less than optimal for a dipole application, where response behind the driver matters also.

Cuibono, thank you for your comments on xmax vs sensitivity. That is a good point, that it is hard to have both, and something I didn't hear in the hi-fi vs. pro thread that went on for some time (and then finally off the rails)!

I haven't stated xo points as this is just an exercise in imagination. However the general idea would be a 3 way which showcases the mid-driver. So xmax would be an issue. I'd like to cross low to a pair of maybe 10" mid-basses on the low end. It's all just thought for now, but who knows!

Jim

[skorpion]

This is the unit you are looking for:

SP-8/150PRO - Stage Line compact PA bass speaker 300Wmax 150WRMS 8Ω - EUROPE AUDIO and

this is the everlasting specs:

MONACOR INTERNATIONAL:New products

So here you are !

/Erling

[StigErik]

Beyma 8LW30 looks promising I think. I have a couple, will test them in open baffle!

[cuibono]

Originally Posted by J.R.Freeman

... Eminence makes some nice things for sure. I wonder, however, if the basket type is less than optimal for a dipole application, where response behind the driver matters also...

This is something I've been looking into. I haven't had enough drivers in hand to know, but my current guess is that the frame size and magnet type don't make enough of a difference to the rear radiation of 8" and 6" drivers to maintain regular off axis response. Not sure about that though. A 6" driver with a neo magnet might be good...

That Monacor driver has a good price/performance ratio - I don't think I've seen a driver with that high Xmax, sensitivity and power handling - especially at that price!

[chris661]

Fair enough on Xmax - I assumed the XO point to be higher.