Ruark Equinox Driver Quest

[Damski]

Hi. This is my first post on here since becoming a member over a year ago now. My problem is this...

I have recently purchased a pair of Ruark Equinox speakers in piano black. They are fantastic looking speakers but unfortunately, were damaged during transit. I am trying to source a pair of Vifa drivers, model number M18WO-09-06. As one of the units refuses to work. I have contacted Ruark and they have no spares. I suggested to Ruark that I may be able to source the 8 ohm version of this driver (M18WO-09-08), which appears to be more common and they didn't think there would be any issues in using a pair of these in-place of the original units. I have been to all the usual outlets without success for either driver and have pretty much given up. Is there anybody who has or knows somebody who may be willing to part with a pair, or are there any other drivers which will perform the task as well..? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks... D

[Damski]

Update: Well after researching a whole host of drivers that may have equalled or improved on the original sound of the Equinox speakers, I have now chosen and purchased a pair of Seas drivers from Audio Components, who were very helpful and patient in dealing with a novice like me. The drivers are from the Excel range; model WN18NX001. My reasoning behind this decision was twofold; minimal cabinet disruption and improvement on the original design / sound. Although I did have my eye on the Scan-speak Revelator; 18W/8531G00, but heavy cabinet modifications were required for installation, which was a non-starter. The critical cabinet dimensions were; 180mmÆ baffle rebate, 147mmÆ cut-out and 166mm PCD (6 x 5mmÆ fasteners). Some features of the original Vifa driver M18WO-09-06 were; 35-4000Hz frequency range, 35Hz resonant frequency, 87.5dB sensitivity, 40mm voice coil diameter, 0.39 Qes and 7.5Txm force factor. A number of Seas drivers would probably have been sufficient, namely CA18RLY and U18RNX both from the Prestige Series and use the same chassis dimensions, but I was influenced by the accuracy / clarity of the WN18NX001 and that it competes with the Scan-speak Revelator at its price-point. The tweeter used in the Equinox is the Scan-speak D2095/9000, which I believe is a very good unit. The drivers will arrive on Thursday and I hope to have them installed over this coming weekend. I hope the results justify the expense..!

[Damski]

I can’t believe nobody has offered any comments on the situation with the Equinoxes, maybe I’m being too impatient… The only worrying thing I have with this approach (aside it being completely the wrong way of doing things) is the recommended frequency range of the SEAS driver and the crossover point. The driver has a recommended top end range of 3kHz and the crossover point is set at 2.8kHz. There may be a hole in the frequency response around this region..? Am I right to be concerned and if so, can the crossover be modified to accommodate this driver..? But, will such a change impact on tweeter performance..? Any advice would be appreciated… Thanks

[Godzilla]

You posted this in the full range forum so many here may not be familiar the drivers you have. For what it's worth, rather than bring the speaker you have back to stock you've entered the world of DIY. You might want to consider calling the place you purchased the woofer and ask them to recommend a tweeter that will work really great with it that will fit the opening of the existing tweeter. The woofer you chose will make music but probably wont have the sound the designer intended. Does not mean you will end up with something bad, just different.

Good luck.

[Bluto]

Damski -

No offense intended here but 1st thought in my mind is Hold the Horses!!!

2nd thought is 'hear, hear DIY'.

It would take a heck of an accomplished Designer/Modeler a whole lot of time to work backwards around a pre existing XO to bring about a sound that you've simply envisioned and found 'similiar drivers' based upon some charts.

To my mind the Manufacturer is simply blowing you off because they know it themselves.

That speaker had a review less than a year ago...... they've got no parts?

I'm thinking you'll be lucky if someone is willing to go to the work to get an answer to this one.

[Bluto]

You beat me Jeff- I had to make a Pit Stop in between thoughts.

Post does belong in multi way as well.

I'd personally be on the Manufacturer.

[Damski]

Thanks guys, no offense taken. Yep, in hindsight I suppose I may have posted this in the wrong region of the forum. The Ruark Equinox Speaker was discontinued over 5 years or more now. The datasheet for the Vifa driver dates back to 1992. I had two options open to me when I took receipt of the speakers. 1. Return them because of the damage or 2. Repair them. With the help of the Seller I am seeking some compensation for the damage from the courier, which doesn’t cover my full costs but will pay for most of the repairs. I had been after a pair of these units for a while and was mortified when they arrived damaged, even though they were well packed in their original cartons. After many unsuccessful searches for the original Vifa driver (M18WO-09-06) I contacted Ruark and asked if they carried spares. They stated that they no longer manufactured speaker enclosures but would check their spares dept and for me to call back in a few days time. I did and they had nothing in-stock for the Equinox. Most of my searching led me to the Vifa (M18WO-09-08) driver which is the 8ohm variant. Ruark stated that this would be fine in place of the 6ohm and no audible difference would be discerned. Unfortunately, I have had no luck in tracking down a pair of the 8ohm items either. I contacted Audio Components to discuss my dilemma and they stated that they have now purchased all of Ruark’s electronic stock. We discussed the required driver and they stated if Ruark have already checked then it would be unlikely that any of these drivers would arrive at AC. So, I have a pair of speaker enclosures that do not work, I cannot obtain the original or similar drivers and was left with seeking an alternative driver. I discussed this with the helpful people at AC and 3 drivers were offered. One I immediately dismissed (mainly on cosmetic grounds), the other item was out-of-stock (although this was the more suited item – U18RNX) and the third and more expensive I bought (W18NX001). It was my decision to purchase this driver and I discussed the parameters with AC, my only concern being the crossover point which I was assured would be fine. If this is not the case then I can always return the drivers and look at something more suitable. I am aware that this is the wrong way round of doing things in a DIY situation, finishing with the driver after the cabinet and crossover already exist, but I’m hooked and ultimately would want to build a pair of enclosures which are better than anything else I have, which include: B&W 804, Dynaudio Finale, Ruark Paladin, Quad 12L, Quad 11L and Alesis ProLinear 820. Plus car audio components; Rockford Fosgate Type RF 6.5” & 5.25” (titanium Cone), RF Fanatic-Q and Fanatic-X series, MB Quart QSD series 6.5” & 5.25”. These are items I have collected over many years, most are in use (all the enclosures) and the Type RF system is installed in the car. But the best system out of all of these is the Type RF, it is crystal clear – but the sub does help in the lower frequencies. My point with mentioning the latter items is I’m already on the road to DIY and I’m learning. I have acquired a few books and am teaching myself. I don’t really want to return the Equinoxes as I feel they can be fixed and be good again as they are fantastic cabinets. I hope you can sympathise with wanting to fix a perfectly good cabinet design, but I’m also aware that I may appear impatient in not holding out for the right driver. Unfortunately, time is against me in resolving the issues with the Seller. If the crossover and tweeter need to be replaced with more suitable units then this may well be the direction I finally take. Thanks for responding… D

[Hylle]

Damski, I take there is no viable damage to the Vifa woofer? and the reson for it not to give out any sound is because there is no connection through the voicecoil? It should meassure about 4-5 ohm with a ohmmeter.

It sounds strange if a voicecoil is damaged in transport....

[Damski]

Hi Hylle. When I spoke with Ruark regarding the damage they asked the same question; “was there any visible damage to the Vifa driver?” The answer is no there isn’t and it appears completely intact. They also remarked that it is unusual for a driver to be damaged during transport especially when there were no signs of damage to the cabinet. I had this out with the Seller stating that the damage to the driver may be as a result of system abuse and not physical damage through transit – this of course was denied. I have no way of proving otherwise unless the driver is examined for abuse by somebody who knows what the tell-tale signs are and I suspect this may involve stripping down the driver. I will check the impedance of the unit over the coming weekend and let you know. Thanks… D

[Damski]

Hi Hylle. I have measured the Vifa driver using an ohm meter and it registered 0 ohms. In comparison I measured the new SEAS driver and this returned a reading of 6.1 ohms, suggesting a failed connection in the voicecoil. What’s the most likely cause for a voicecoil to fail..?