Audax HM130Z0/Z10? opinions? anything better in a similar vein?

[mondogenerator]

Since Audax drivers seem to be back again Ive been looking to replace my 'old' AP130ZO, with the HM130Z0/Z10 that I wanted but couldnt afford at the time they were originally sold here in the UK.

The intended use is for a small 2 way monitor, tweeter undecided as yet. Now BOTH of these drivers are a little restricted at the low end due to low Qts, but im interested in anyones experience with these drivers. They are more different to the AP's than I had first thought, in fact the AP130ZO I have now produces quite alot of bass F3~55Hz, either of the drivers i mention above would be alot leaner.

The attraction to these drivers is their extended response and very controlled HF rolloff, and the aim is to mate them with a tweeter as low as possible and as low order filter as I can realistically get away with. The extremely low MMs is also very attractive to me.

So, has anyone had these drivers? any opinions? or any alternative drivers out there worth considering with similar attributes? (low mms, 88-90dB, very smooth extended HF rolloff) Or should i just stick to the AP130ZO i have now?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[mondogenerator]

So far Ive found these Arum Cantus drivers, but ive not heard them before and to be honest I dont know alot about the manufacturer:

Aurum Cantus AC-130MKII 5-1/4" Carbon Fiber/Kevlar Woofer

Aurum Cantus AC-130F1 5-1/4" Woofer

not sure If i can source these in the UK though.....

[jerome69]

AP130ZO
I used this driver 15 years ago. With a friend we made a small bookshelf.
We use a small neo tweeter, soft dome, look like the TM025C3
My friend changed it to the AP130G2, a more natural midrange sound. The crossover was very simple, first order.
These plastic AP series is not successful in my opinion... We tweaked the driver by making small holes in the part between the magnet and the spider. Easy to do in a plastic driver. It ventilates the motor Better sound.

Something similar ? No idea. Aerogel is something very unique, very good in the low range.
Perhaps a fiber glass cone ? Peerless or scanspeak ?

You can buy Aurum Cantus in Italy or Germany ?
hifisound eShop * -* HARWOOD ACOUSTICS TM 130 MK II * S

Harwood acoustic = Aurum Cantus

[mondogenerator]

Well I have a pair of AP130Z0 HDA drivers, and the TM025F1 soft dome. crossover essentially cannibalised/stolen from the vance dickason centre channel HT system, WITHOUT the pair of AP210Z0 HDA bass drivers.

Theyre really very good, considering I bought them when they were alot more freely available. Having seen the HM130Z0 and Z10 for sale again, and also the HM170, which i hadnt previously considered, Ive thought about an upgrade to the old speakers.

The trouble I have is that both the HM130Z0 and Z10 have very low Qts lower mms. They would make a nice small bookshelf monitor, but the bass would be limited in comparison to the AP130Z0 i have now in ~15 litres.

I may just try and source some spare AP130Z0, and find a good tweeter upgrade to the Audax soft domes. They arent the smoothest tweeters....

Im even considering getting a spare pair pair of Ap130Z0 and taking the magnet off somehow.... Then I can take it to work and drill a pole piece vent out.

at least then, IF it should go horribly wrong, I have a spare pair to replace them.

[pinkmouse]

The better Audax 130s are, as you've discovered, more midrange drivers than bass. I've been pleasantly surprised by the SB Acoustics range, you might find their 5" more useful.

[Helmuth]

There are not many drivers with high Qms, low Rms. Like audax makes.
I aspect the aurumcantus to have a heavier cone and therefore higher RMS. The HM 130 is a nice midrange.

[jerome69]

Originally Posted by mondogenerator

...
Im even considering getting a spare pair pair of Ap130Z0 and taking the magnet off somehow.... Then I can take it to work and drill a pole piece vent out.
at least then, IF it should go horribly wrong, I have a spare pair to replace them.

Done at least three time with a lot of success I think the spare pair will be drilled too

It you look the high end version HM130Z0, the motor has vent and is well ventilated


The AP170

[454Casull]

Originally Posted by jerome69

Done at least three time with a lot of success I think the spare pair will be drilled too

It you look the high end version HM130Z0, the motor has vent and is well ventilated


The AP170

How are you going to make sure that the swarf from the drilling operation does not (eventually) make its way into the voice coil gap?

[jerome69]

Note you can buy Audax here :
Google Translate

or

Boutique haut parleurs et audio DIY
A pair of H130Z0 76.96 + 15.85 shipping = 92.81€ = 81.54GBP

[jerome69]

Originally Posted by 454Casull

How are you going to make sure that the swarf from the drilling operation does not (eventually) make its way into the voice coil gap?

Good question
With a hand drill, it's very risky. Perhaps with a press drill, it's easier, you can limited the deep of drilling.
The better solution is to make the hole with a soldering iron . Drill with heat