First speaker project opinions:

[Nm2285]

I'm finishing up planning a speaker project and wanted to see if anyone had experience with these drivers:

Vifa XT25TG30-04 http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/psho...r=264-555&DID=7

Peerless 850439 http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/psho...r=297-638&DID=7

I was at one point considering the Vifa MG18WK09-08, but I think it would be an upgrade in going with the Peerless (agreed?).

I've also heard the Vifa DX25TG-05-04 ( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/psho...r=264-578&DID=7 ) is an excellent performer and if it is close enough to the XT, the saved $50 would be very welcomed.

Looking forward to feedback!

[454Casull]

If it's your first time, you would be better off with a kit, IMO. That way, you don't have to figure out the crossover yourself.

[tomcat9]

I have used the HDS Peerless in a project I just finished about 3 months ago. This unit is hard to beat unless you go over the $100 range. I think the speaker I built with the Peerless sounds very good, and accurate.

I do not have any experience with the Vifa tweeters. But looking at the specs, the less expensive DX25TG-05-04 may be a great choice. It has good power handling, wide frequency range, and a low fs. Use the money you save to buy good caps for the tweeter crossover.

Here is a pic of a test fit of my project using the Peerless.

Tom

[Nm2285]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I've done lots of research on the crossover and all and think I have it planned out pretty well (wanted to go at it from scratch rather than a kit so I did a lot of preparation).

The Peerless does look like a good bet, glad it's worked out for you. Would the model above it (with a phase plug) make much a difference?

Also, anyone have direct experience with both tweeters? I'm still leaning towards the XT, but I can't shake the DX!

[tomcat9]

If I remember correct, the Peerless with the phase plug does not have as smooth of frequency response as the one without. I would stick with your first choice. Try to mount the tweeter and woofer very close together, and try to use a low crossover point, 2100 ~ 2400 hz.

t

[ucla88]

I've been a bit underwhelmed with the performance of the dx25. The xt25 is much better.

If you want to save money both the Seas 27TDFC and 27TDC are much better performers than the DX25 in this price range.

See my tests


http://my.starstream.net/mk/Webpages/

[Salas]

why not measuring in the far field (1.2m or more)? Has to do with the 7-8ms first reflection of your garage? would be closer to what you would hear in a medium space nontheless?

[ucla88]

Hi Salas,

The nonlinear distortion is not significantly affected by distance, more or less.

The linear distortion is different. Baffle reflections contaminate the plots. Since I'm interested in inherent driver differences, and don't want my results overwhelmed by the baffle reflections-that's why I do it the way I do.

[Nm2285]

I did some more research/calculations and think I've decided to go with:

Vifa XT19
Peerless 850122 (CSC-X 176)

I like the idea of the XT19 over the XT25 because of the off axis response measured by Mike. I was going to get the Peerless 850439 (HDS 182) until I read this on Madisound.com:
"The HDS line of woofers are similar to the CSC-X line, but with cast frames."

I'm going to implement a 4th order Linkwitz-Riley crossover at 2700 Hz. The Vifa begins to have consistent and significant distortion below 2.5 kHz while the Peerless has a significant increase in output beginning around 3 kHz. I'm hoping the steep crossover point in between these two problem areas will do well to minimize them.

Any opinions on this setup? I think I'm getting the hang of this, but like I said, this is my first project. I really appreciate all the responses!

[Zaph]

Originally posted by ucla88
I've been a bit underwhelmed with the performance of the dx25. The xt25 is much better.

Mark,
What do you think about the DX25 if used as a upper midrange? For example, running it maybe 1800hz to 4000 hz and then crossing over to an XT19?

How low do you think I could cross it over? From your tests it looks like it does well on the low end, possibly better than everything else for both linear and non-linear.

I had a pair of those before and I pretty much passed it over because the top octave was not there. I usually like a little top octave rolloff but that was too much. I never considered using it as an upper midrange. I did find it intruiging that the tweeter managed a 650hz Fs without a rear chamber. I think a lot of us have been quick to discard the DX25, but it might be a good driver to fill a niche in 3 or 4 way designs.