Hi Vi B3S/B3N/B4N

[sdclc126]

Hi All,

I have been very intrigued the B3S after reading John K's tests on ZaphAudio, to use as a midrange in a sort-of budget 3-way floorstanding design, which is still just in the conceptual stage. I am thinking of using the Dayton DA175 for the lows, and the SEAS 27TBFCG to do the tweeting.

What I'm wondering about is the B3N - it's the same diameter but with a round frame, slightly different parameters, and a lower operating range - 100 to 7k as opposed to 300 to 15k (claimed) for the 3S.

The 3N seems to be a little better suited as a wide midrange due to the lower bottom end, but I'm thinking that crossing at or near its lower limits might put a strain on it at higher listening levels.

Then there is the B4N - just about the same bottom end as the 3 but can probably handle SPL better in that region. What I'm a little afraid of is that rather prominent FR peak at 3K - an issue with neither of the smaller drivers.

I want to assume that all three drivers have relatively the same sound characteristics, but without seeing any distortion data like Zaph's for all of them I am hesitant to jump to conclusions. So, has anyone tested the other two, or seen tests of them?

On the other hand, I could dispense with the midrange altogether and go with just the Dayton woofs and SEAS tweets - with the right crossover I think they'd make a good combination - perhaps in a TMM configuration.

OK - let me have it!

[Danse]

This is just my opinion

The Hi Vi B3N is rather low on SPL about 79, not a good choice for a midrange.

I would take the money from the B3N/S and upgrade the woofer to Dayton RS and go two way.

[sdclc126]

On PE the SPL for both 3" Hi Vis is listed at 81, while the B4N is shown at 85 - not super efficient but better.

I was considering the the cheaper Dayton aluminum drivers because they're, well, cheaper, and supposed to be pretty decent. The DA175-8 happens to match the efficiency of the B4N too.

[inertial]

Hi,

IMHO, 3" is a very good extended range. In a short listening test
in a friend's system the B3" was always better than B4".
If SPL and sensitivity is not your first target, I suggest the 3".
My friend have matched with a HI-Vi M6 and M5 and various tweeters.
My preference is for a true first acoustic order at 800-1000Hz and
about 4000-5000Hz. 80 dB / 2,83v / 4pi target
perdone my basic english

Cheers,
Inertial

[sreten]

Originally posted by sdclc126

I was considering the the cheaper Dayton aluminum drivers because they're, well, cheaper, and supposed to be pretty decent. The DA175-8 happens to match the efficiency of the B4N too.

Hi,

In a 3 way the bass driver needs to be 4 to 6db more efficient than
the mid. Its a common misunderstanding and one of the causes of
the many dissapointing 3 way designs people make for themselves.
Building 3 ways is far more complex (especially crossover wise)
than people imagine and very difficult to get right.

The dayton DA175-8 drivers used in pairs would be appropriate
to a 4ohm (in the bass) 85to87db/2.83V midband level louspeaker.
(not particularly high, but means bass will be good for the size)

They do give very good performance + levels for the money.
As you seem to be interested in 3-ways :
I'd be tempted to mate them with the Dayton RS52, but note
the impedance peak of the RS52 needs careful c/o handling.

/sreten.

[sdclc126]

Inertial & Sreten -

Thanks for those replies. Sreten I'm leaning in the direction you suggest - two DA175-8s + tweet in a 2-way - simpler design and nice strong bass.

No I'm not necessarily bent on 3-way designs - I guess I was a little concerned with cone break-up in large metal woofers crossed relatively high to a tweeter, but a high order x-over and a tweet like the 27TBFCG which can be crossed low address that issue.

I'm really wanting to do something like Zaph's L18/27TBFCG in a floor stander, but with two woofs and sealed, but the L18s are just too pricey for me and the DA175s would be a good substitute. I could use 1 L18 or DA175 + sub, but I'd like the mains to be as "self sufficient" in the low end as possible. The sub will be there either way - I just like strong mains that aren't just tall bookshelf speakers.