Scan Speak 15M

[Jed]

Many like the 15W, but I'm interested in the 15M as a midrange in a 3-way. The "research" I've done so far includes finding comments from people such as- "the Scan 15M is difficult to get the crossover right, to . . . the 15M is bettered by SEAS 5" paper midrange. . . . "

What are your thoughts and is it really worth the $205 price tag? Also, if you used this driver and replaced it with a different driver, what did you replace it with and why?

Thanks,
Jed

[v-bro]

Here are some comments on a Dutch forum:
http://www.hear.nl/forums/lofiversio...php/t8413.html

The alternatives they posted are Accuton C12 or C79 and C-quenze 15H52 06 13 SD...the 15M is said here to be fast enough to combine with a ribbon tweeter..And it is said to have good lower octave output, it can be used from 100 hz and up.... and another source describes it to be the only driver he knows that can produce a 'prescense' of reality, really low distortion and enormous dynamics...

My ....

[v-bro]

Euhm, that all was about Scan Speak 15M/45 31 K 00.....

[Jed]

Yes, this appears to be a very fine midrange unit with plenty of positives... thank you for the feedback. I've tried SEAS W15CH, Eton 4-300, and a number of others, but currently looking to build a second system to increase detail and resolution in the critical midrange. I've never used Scanspeak before, but this 15M has my interest. I'd imagine it would be a better choice for a midrange than other Scanspeak woofer/mid drivers like the 15W.

Jed

[ptwining]

Why are either of these better than the CSS WR(FR)-125? Now, to be fair, I'm shooting from the hip. I haven't looked at the graphs for the SEAS. But, I'm willing to bet that the XBL2 stuff fares pretty well. Cheap too, for the difference. I guess, in the end, thatt's the decider.

I'm 50 - I don't hear as much as I used to. In fact, most of the US population has "less-than-perfect" hearing. I may build audio gear that I know, by spec, is miles above what I can typically hear but I am also aware (by experience and formalism) that a 20 year old would hear more than I do - de-facto.

If you are a speaker builder I wonder if there is a "diminishing-point-of-returns" when it comes to the age distribution of your intended listeners versus the accuracy of your loudspeakers.

Fascinating...

What you do you think?

Regards,
Tom

[Jed]

Well, I'm 29 and my hearing is good up to 20K.... not that that is a conclusive reason to buy a $205 driver where something else might be just as good at 1/4 the price. The Scan Speaks do have very low distortion and especially the odd order types. That to me is a positive attribute unlike its metal cone counterparts.

[Mingo]

So where can I find a project with Scan-Speak 15M?
So far I have not seen any.

[Harry3]

This might help

http://www.zaphaudio.com/ZD5.html

http://www.zaphaudio.com/5.5test/

[Mingo]

Thanks Harry3. Very interesting links, but they only mention 15W.

So still, does anybody know any projects with the 15M4531G00?

I have only heard it once, which was when I visited Troels Gravesen a couple of years ago. He had just begun a project with the 15M as an open baffle midrange. I remember the sound as being extremely fast and the transients almost threw you against the back wall.
Eventually Troels gave up this project because he was not satisfied with it.

[Paulus1981]

http://www.zelfbouwaudio.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1102

This is a very extensive project using the 15M, too bad it's in Dutch...