Sticky Drivers

[mbutzkies]

I plan on building MTM speakers without a grill. My current speakers have resin coated paper woofers that collect dust like a magnet, and the dust cannot be removed. I would like to avoid that on my next set of speakers.

Before I purchase drivers, can anyone tell me if the following drivers have a super sticky dust collecting coating that cannot be simply cleaned with a lint free rag?

Midranges:

Eton 7-375
Seas W18EX
Scan speak 18w/8546
Peerless 850439

Tweeters:

Morel supreme 110
Morel MDT33
Scan Speak 2905/9500


On a side note, there are a lot of posts on the seas, scan-speak, and peerless drivers, and only a few on the Etons. The few Eton posts have been very good, and I am curious of their lack of popularity. Any thoughts?

[Jimmy154]

Originally posted by mbutzkies
Before I purchase drivers, can anyone tell me if the following drivers have a super sticky dust collecting coating that cannot be simply cleaned with a lint free rag?

Eton's probably do. Eton 8-800 does same for 7-342 and 8-472 or whatever there called. If it's shiney black it collects dust, for Eton woofers. Turns from shiney black to dark green. One of my woofers is actually green and the one kept in box before I installed it is still shiney black.

Originally posted by mbutzkies On a side note, there are a lot of posts on the seas, scan-speak, and peerless drivers, and only a few on the Etons. The few Eton posts have been very good, and I am curious of their lack of popularity. Any thoughts? [/B]

Maybe they're expensive. Too much money goes into the cone technology, not worth it for some people? That's what attracted me, the cone material. Also Eton has an 8" woofer that acts like a 7" woofer by having less x-max. If I had to buy again I would get 7" 7-342 (I believe it's called) instead. Only other speaker I have to compare has Viston AL200 type woofers and Etons are way clearer. Internal wiring (not x-over, they're same or better in Visatons) for Eton's might be better though.

[mbutzkies]

Thanks for the help.

I actually read etons drivers are sticky, I think on the madisound forum but they delete every month so I could not inquire more.

I also found out that they are used in adams studio monitors so I am planning to check those drivers out in person.

As far as price explaining the few eton posts, the entire scan speak line, and the seas excel line are just as expensive and have significantly more posts. I am hoping it is just eton is new to the market.

If you can tell, eton is sort of my perfered driver based on specs, frequency response, the use in adams studio monitors, and the very few posts I read.

The appearance of the drivers after 2 plus years does concern me, though.

Any other people have long term asthetics (sp?) opinions or any other opinions on the other drivers I have listed?

[5th element]

Seas W18EX
Peerless 850439

Tweeters:

Morel supreme 110
Morel MDT33
Scan Speak 2905/9500

I can tell you that those dont.

The seas and peerless is definate. I own the W15CY001 and it doesnt even collect dust. I own the 850467 which is the same as the 850439 except is has a phase plug and that doesnt collect dust either.

I own the D2905/95 and they are not sticky so no worries.

I own the morel MDT30S tweeters and if the doping is the same on the 110 and 33 then your safe.

I also think the scanspeak midbass is fine but im not sure.

[thalis]

Well, if once in a month you perform some cleaning in the cones with a soft cloth, dust will never build there;-)) The etons are good (not exceptional, in my opinion), I’ve worked with the 4, 7 and 11 inch one, and they couple good with some focal tweeters or metal domes preferably, as I believe, but have a somewhat uncontrolled high Q bump due to their stiffness, so adequate working in the crossover has to be done.

[cfbuck]

mbutzkies,

Eton requires an minimum order of 250 drivers so a speaker builders/vendors have to lay out a lot of money to use this brand. Danny Ritchie of GR Research was using them in his higher end Delucio and Lucideo designs but it took him 2 years to go through his supply. So I believe that he has stopped using them even though they are good drivers. I believe that i read this on his vendor threads at audiocircle.com.

Although this should not stop vendors from stocking them, they have not reached a critical mass of sales to become popular

[gfinlayson]

The SS 18W/8546 shouldn't be sticky as it's a kevlar cone, but the surface texture may be prone to holding dust. Gentle vacuuming with a mini-vac, or cleaning with an air duster should stop dust build up from becoming a problem.

[DigitalJunkie]

Ohh how I hate that sticky stuff!

I've seen it alot on "cheaper" drivers,and some guitar/etc. speakers around the edges,to help form the suspension (just the paper cone,but it's coated with that goop on the edge),instead of the more usual foam/rubber surround.

It's always dusty,and it sticks to your fingers if you're not careful when you handle/install the drivers...I've even had it stick to my thumb so much it ripped the paper 'suspension' a bit when I pulled my finger away..sometimes,after a bit,it will 'flow' back together and 'glue' the small tear together for you. (if you're lucky,and you didn't tear it too much.)

[mbutzkies]

Whoa, blast from the past.

Those speakers were built and gone a long time ago. I wound up using the peerless and 2905.

Thanks for all your help.

Thalis, you said you had experience with the Eton 4", I assume 4-300 HEX. What are your experiences with them? I have not heard them, but from reading what people said, they were really warm. Do you agree? I have seen third party CSD and FR, and eton supplied FR and Distortion and they looked pretty good, so I do not know what to think.

The plan is is to use this as a midrange, 3-4L closed, 300hz to 2-3Khz 4th LR..

[thalis]

They are accurate, clean, and really dynamic for their diameter, one of the best drivers for a small 2-way loudspeaker. They also can be easily worked in a small enclosure as the one you suggested and can cover this range with minimal effort in the crossover. Good (if their sensitivity is adequate for your application).
Regards,
Thalis