Crossover-less 2-way

[activexp]

As an experiment, I've installed the Hi-Vi B3N 3" full range in my old IMF Super Compact enclosures together with the Skytronic 8" kevlar woofer, no XO, both units running full range.

The B3N is in the place of the original IMF 4" mid and has its own enclosure so is isolated from the woofer.

The end result was much better than I expected! Surprisingly well balanced sound, very clear and natural speech/vocals, decent bass but extreme top end is typically B3N, slightly metallic and 'tizzy'.

I then tried a simple 1st order XO at 1.5K. No real improvement, sounded better with both units full range so removed the XO. Finally tried a 6dB notch filter centered on 8K to flatten the peak in the B3N. This has sweetened the top end to some extent but I can still tell it's a B3N. The end result is a speaker I could happily live with but power handling might be an issue.

[Cal Weldon]

Hi there. Neat looking set up you're working on.

Couple of things. Crossover-less 2 way is an oxymoron. 2 way implies a crossover so it's kind of like ordering cheesburger, no cheese.You're making a dual driver.

Second, after more fooling around you mind find that a large cap like 100-200 mfd on the Hi Vi might be what the doctor ordered. That will give you the power handling that you might run out of without it.
keeping trying, let us know.

[chris661]

Personally, I'd put a 1st order low pass on the woofer. If it has a frequency response designed for use as a 2-way with tweeter, is will be designed to have extended midrange capability. It won't do vocals as well as the full range unit above it.

Chris

PS - I like projects like this. Quick and simple, but good sound nevertheless.

[MisterTwister]

if you don't want to use crossover, you may try to put some thick sound absorbtion material in front of woofer. it should absorb some of the 'tizzy' kevlar cone breakup.
and you can add a piece of foam in front of hi-vi driver.

[activexp]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

Hi there. Neat looking set up you're working on.

Couple of things. Crossover-less 2 way is an oxymoron. 2 way implies a crossover so it's kind of like ordering cheesburger, no cheese.You're making a dual driver.

Second, after more fooling around you mind find that a large cap like 100-200 mfd on the Hi Vi might be what the doctor ordered. That will give you the power handling that you might run out of without it.
keeping trying, let us know.

After I posted I realised that 'crossover-less 2-way' doesn't make a lot of sense as you have rightly pointed out

Thanks for the tip regarding the 100-200 uF cap. Is this in parallel with the B3N? Excuse my ignorance!

[activexp]

Originally Posted by MisterTwister

if you don't want to use crossover, you may try to put some thick sound absorbtion material in front of woofer. it should absorb some of the 'tizzy' kevlar cone breakup.
and you can add a piece of foam in front of hi-vi driver.

Hi MisterTwister, thanks for the suggestions although the 'tizzy' sound quality is entirely from the B3N and appears to be a characteristic of this driver. It's particularly noticeable on, say, a cymbal crash or similar. However, it's not too serious and I can live with it.

On the other hand the kevlar woofer seems fairly neutral. Mind you, I haven't driven it hard enough to cause cone breakup, yet

[Cal Weldon]

Yes the cap is in parallel. Might as well buy an electrolytic one as others might be a wee dear.

[activexp]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

Yes the cap is in parallel. Might as well buy an electrolytic one as others might be a wee dear.

Thanks Cal, I'll give it a try, definitely an electrolytic!

[Steve Dunlap]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

Yes the cap is in parallel. Might as well buy an electrolytic one as others might be a wee dear.

Parallel? Shouldn't it go in series?

[hkoetz]

You might try the woofer in a bandpass cabinet and the full range in a small sealed cabinet (you are doing the latter already). With a bit of luck you may get a smooth x-over from woofer to tweeter and vice versa.