HiVi B3N replacement

[Psychobiker]

Hi Guys,

I don't really want to, but I'm the mids (B3N) finding my 3-way setup (Dayton DC-160 + HiVi B3N + Visaton DTW72) a little lost at times and would like a suggestion or two as to what to go about replacing them with. They really are a cracking little unit and sound great, but there is an audible difference between 82 and 88dB - I don't want to be imagining it, so I'll measure them before doing anything when my mic arrives.

Has anyone else made this move?

[mashypie]

What about some of the Tymphany/Peerless drivers?

They do some 3.5 and 4" drivers with a higher sensitivity

[Inductor]

It seems like, it would be better to follow a kit/prototype set-up, instead of shooting in the dark, when there are a lot difficulties. What 3-Way project are you doing/working on, speakers/xover/enclosure? Is it being design by you? If it is, that tweeter is also very critical.

[Psychobiker]

With all due respect, Inductor, I'm not shooting in the dark - I know what I came in looking for - something that is more efficient than the B3N and has been tried and tested by members of this forum.

From my original post :
Woofer - Dayton DC160 in a mass-loaded transmission line (74").
Tweeter - Visaton DTW72, padded accordingly to my tastes - I did find it a little harsh at the start but with some padding, it fits in well.

[steviedon]

Though I have no real experience with mid/FR drivers in the 3" range, I could offer some viable options if I knew your crossover details. Zaph's small driver comparo might point you in the right direction. Zaph|Audio

[Psychobiker]

Going to have a gander - I might go two-way and forsake the tweeter if there's something that'll take over from 500Hz up...

[sreten]

Hi,

The Fountek FR88-EX mght be better, but I have to agree anyone
who actually chooses a B3N as a midrange driver is fairly clueless.

See the links, imbibe and learn : Classix - undefinition

rgds, sreten.


undefinition
Zaph|Audio
FRD Consortium tools guide
RJB Audio Projects
Speaker Design Works
HTGuide Forum - A Guide to HTguide.com Completed Speaker Designs.
Humble Homemade Hifi
Click below to go to
Quarter Wavelength Loudspeaker Design
The Frugal-Horns Site -- High Performance, Low Cost DIY Horn Designs
Linkwitz Lab - Loudspeaker Design
Music and Design

[Psychobiker]

When you have climbed off your high horses, you might read Zaph's article on the B3N -

>> Comments: Pretty good midrange performance, especially considering the price. Very smooth response, with a minor 8kHz breakup. Below 130hz, bass turns to thick mud. *Do Not* run this speaker without some sort of subwoofer crossover, preferably active at 150hz LR4. You might be able to cross at 100hz LR4 if you can trade a little distortion and output for subwoofer localization. This driver can run without a tweeter, but will sound better with a notch filter and a small amount of baffle step compensation. Cheap stamped frame, no voice coil venting. Widely available at many vendors. Tested June 2006.<<

Sorry, what was that? MIDRANGE performance? So, I ask a little advice after making one bad choice for experimenting's sake and now people treat me as an imbecile? Jeez, I thought this forum was the last bastion of politeness.

Mashypie and Steviedon, who have actually been helpful, I thank you.

[planet10]

Since efficiency is tied directly to cone size, it turns out that a high efficiency 3" is 88 dB or so.

Fostex FE83En, or the new (almost available) Alpair6P (paper cone) are 2 that are near the top of the heap. They aren't hurting on sonics either.

dave

[Psychobiker]

Dave - thank you ever so for that! The FE83n certainly looks like a very strong contender and with this, I can back off to two-way if the high-end response fits the graph!