| The best CUSTOM driver ever for High-End Audiophile sub? - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| richardkrol |
Hi all,
In my quest for the ultimate high end sub, I came across the Danish firm Audio Technology. Their drivers seem top of the line...and here's the catch...one can specify quite a few parameters and they will manufacture it.
I plan to build two sealed subs, each with a single driver or two 8" or 10" drivers per sub.
I am looking at a cabinet volume of around 60 liters max. per sub.
I intend to use a Linkwitz transform circuit to alter the lower part of the frequency response.
The choices are in the picture below. The top table list the standard driver specs and the bottom table lists what can be altered. Can anybody comment on what's most preferable and what specs I should choose?
Best Regards,
Richard |
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| michael |
How about a link to their website and the part number of the drivers you were interested in, also how much do each of them cost and how much are you willing to spend?
Also what dort of SPL and depth are you after?
Music or HT or both? |
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| richardkrol |
It's a right pain being moderated !! The picture showed up in my post but it won't go "through"....
The website is http://flexunits.com
There are a few standard types but one can configure their own specs. Also see the link for orderform on the page....options are listed there. Price for a single unit varies, pricing is on the site. I'd consider Flexunits in 8, 10, 12 or 15 inch.....
Regards,
Richard |
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| richardkrol |
I forgot....my prime interest is music. The sub will partner my Meridian DSP5000 24/96 digital active speakers with a Meridian G68 surround controller (with room correction build-in) see: http://www.meridian.co.uk
The DSP5000 speakers have a listed response of 35Hz F3
I have Audiocontrol MP-200 measuring preamp and mic on order, when this arrives I can quote the in-room response.
Regards,
Richard |
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| Lee35210 |
:eek:
They sure are proud of those drivers! ~$500 USD for a 4" driver! |
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| sobazz |
I don't know where you looked for that price, but in the list on Audiotechnology's website the price is 230$ for the most expensive variant..... ;)
You can get 8-12 inchers for about 500$ depending on the magnet configuration. |
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| michael |
my suggestion, 4 of the 8" in sealed boxes, one for each corner of the room, use EQ to get em flat, you would minimise many room problems this way.
Oh and as for variations, i think haveing a 4" VC on an 8" driver would be very nice, and the slightly begger magnet never hurts.
Your other option is to just buy the full blown 15", one or 2 of them but u would need big box.
When you request driver specs you should try to work the specs around the driver have high excurtion and also working in a very very small box, then you will have a unique driver. otherwise just go buy a tumult or 2. |
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| Lee35210 |
| Must have been my medication or I hit the wrong currency price list. ! Sorry, never mind, oops:cannotbe: |
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| ThomasW |
| If you have that kind of cash, go throught the Adire's European distributor and buy a Tumult. For a sub it defines state-of-the-art |
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| jewilson |
Ouch, I could not find the gold in them. Man 330 to 500+ $$$$. Gee for 8" I would just use Scan Speak their just a mere #160.00 and dam good drivers. Or for 10" I would use Focal's for about 240.00.
www.madisound.com
www.zaltron.com
www.partsexpress.com |
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| richardkrol |
It doesn't seem too interesting then to be able to modify the specs to your own liking...or is it?
Surely these drivers must have some competitive advantage....I can't tell from the specs 'cause I'm new to this but perhaps you lads can.
Not all drivers are created equally...
Richard |
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| sobazz |
Specs doesn't tell anything about distortion figures. The Audiotechnology drivers are created with a rather extreme Xmax/Xsus ratio, which I suppose helps to minimize distortion at high excursions. Anyone? The drivers does also have some rather excellent motor design.
But yes, Flex Units are extremely expensive. If I was ever to use one of Audiotechnology's drivers it would probably be a C-Quenze. |
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| richardkrol |
What's Xsus?
Rich |
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| sobazz |
| The maximum excursion of the suspension. But what Xmag means I don't know.. |
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| 454Casull |
| The limit of excursion as defined by the loss of 30% of the BL product, IIRC. |
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| ShinOBIWAN |
There is only one driver to go for if you are truly wanting 'The best 10" audiophile sub driver'
Look for the Volt 2500.1, never will you hear such a fantasic and beautiful speaker, virtually non existent distortion and an extension that would shame any 12" and most 15". SPL figures aren't through the roof though so if you like extreme volume look elsewhere.
Price is about £270UK or $450US, they are kinda hard to get hold of outside the UK but once you've heard one you won't be using anyone else for bass drivers. |
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| michael |
At fist glacei thought wow, how very useful to be able to specify your woofers actual specs.
But then lets looks at it this way, i think that these drivers are ONLY good if you need something not offered already.
I cannot think of many applications where an existing driver is innapropriate. If you want multiple sealed subs then go the Peerless XLS with EQ, or if you are willing to spend the same as those darn flexis then get a damn tumult, they are incredible. |
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| B.VDBOS |
Can anybody put an add up here?
You see I've got this car for sale................;) |
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| REDSKIN |
| Forget the overpriced drivers on that danish website but checkout the boxmodling software with the handy extra tool for measuring cabin gain. |
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| richardkrol |
Would these Eton drivers classify?
8" 8-472/32H Vas 116 Qts 0,29 Fs 24Hz
8" 8-800/37 Vas 46 Qts 0,39 Fs 36Hz
11" 11-581/50 Vas 110 Qts 0,30 Fs 21Hz
12" 11-680/62 Vas 150 Qts 0,34 Fs 26Hz
Avalon uses this in their Eidolon. F3 at 24Hz, see the image:
Rgds,
Richard |
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| sobazz |
| quote: | Originally posted by B.VDBOS
Can anybody put an add up here?
You see I've got this car for sale................;) |
I'm not quite sure I understand you're point. Please, explain. |
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| B.VDBOS |
| quote: | | I'm not quite sure I understand you're point. Please, explain. |
The original poster looks like hes doing some sneaky advertising :whazzat:
sorry if Im wrong :clown: |
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| sobazz |
I thought so. So everytime someone mentions Adire Audio they are advertising? No? Maybe because Dan is a member of this forum?
Richard posted information that was relevant to his questions. Nothing more.
You're way out of line. |
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| B.VDBOS |
| Just some humer no ofence ment to anybody:D |
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| richardkrol |
If the Skaaning (Audio Technology) is the way forward, then what would be the best driver parameters to choose for:
Sealed enclosure (max 60 L)
Vented (Max 60 L)
Or Vented EBS (Max 70 L)
It seems easy but it ain't (for me anyway....)
Regards,
Richard |
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| phase_accurate |
Just keep in mind that Eivind Skaaning isn't a newbie in this busines as he is the founder of other brands mentioned within this thread.
He is also the owner of some patents still used by Dynaudio for instance.
I own two 8" drivers manufactured by Per Skaaning and they are great. Also Peter Daniel used some and he is content as well.
If I intended to build really expensive speakers I would take some of them for mid and low/mid but I might probably choose something else for subs.
Regards
Charles |
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| richardkrol |
Dear Charles,
Thank you for your valued opinion!
What is the reason for you saying that for (sub) bass duties, you'd look elsewhere? Also, can you give an example of which drivers you would contemplate using? Do you feel Eton might be a suitable canidate?
Best regards,
Richard |
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| phase_accurate |
I used them for three reasons: 1.) I am a fan of Dynaudio drivers and the way they are built 2.) Dynaudio isn't easily available anymore and 3) they have less Vd than I wanted.
So I went for the Audiotechnology drivers which are the closest thing to Dynaudio - but with the TSPs that I wanted. My drivers have a voice-coil overhang of 9.5 mm (each side) and a 75 mm diameter voice-coil. Max excursion before damage is 37 mm p-p.
The day they arrived per mail, I quickly hooked them up and ran them for some days on my office-table (in free air): Their midrange smoothness is excellent to say the least !
I am convinced that their larger woofers are also nothing but great, but when it comes to the the price/volume-displacement ratio others might be much more competitive.
Regards
Charles |
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| richardkrol |
It is not the volume displacement / dollar ratio that interests me. I just want a good quality driver.
A particular Eton driver looks promising too: The 11-581/50 HEX
Quick summary of the specs:
Vas: 153
Fs: 21Hz
Qts: 0.3
Re: 5,2
Le: 1,18
I was trying this with a Vb of 67 and a Fb of 27 which doen't look too bad. |
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| Duck-Twacy |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lee35210
:eek:
They sure are proud of those drivers! ~$500 USD for a 4" driver! |
You mean for a pair (I see $230 a 4" unit)?
edit. ooh, see it was already corrected. sry about that ;)
I am planning to use the 6" C-Quenze for a mid driver:
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| richardkrol |
What's that bass driver you've got there?
rgds,
Richard |
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| sobazz |
| Looks like a Lambda *B12/15 to me.... right? |
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| Duck-Twacy |
Right, Lambda SB12 in 130 liter sealed box, crossed over with Marchand XM44 somewhere between 100-150 Hz.
At least, thats the plan.
FOr the money (transport and taxes was quite al lot) I could also almost have chosen for a pair of 12" Flexunits. However I just want to try sealed enclosure. This units should give an f3 of 27 hz. |
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| phase_accurate |
Something I forgot to mention: Someone was talking about linearity. You can have your Flex-units made with an underhung voice-coil, which gives one of the most linear solutions possible.
If you use the woofer mainly for music this might be an important criterion.
Now there are other fine woofers with underhung voice-coils, like TC sounds. But if you want to get these in Europe they will also be expensive, but they wouldn't come with customized TSPs.
Regards
Charles |
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| richardkrol |
Well, there's a first for everything and underhung coil is something I've never heard of. I'll investigate and report !
Rgds,
Richard |
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| mach.88 |
I had a couple of this companys“ drivers in my hands but as most suggested, very expensive stuff.
Avalon sure has their reasons as to why they use Eton bassdrivers instead of those danish drivers. Of course they are not a bargain either but the sound is awsome.
I worked with Eton 11" and 12" drivers in passive and active setups and results were all very satisfactory. At 60l net volume the 12" driver is as well tight, fast and seep without throwing my N°333 Levinson at it. |
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| ScottG |
That 12 inch eton is nice (not the 11 inch), but the mass vs. force won't give as great a sensation of "slam".
These are not "custom" drivers but I doubt you'll find a better driver for actual "SUB" freq.s (in a compact factor):
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/show...tnumber=295-460
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/show...tnumber=295-464
The key here is the rather advanced distortion reduction features in the driver.. combine this with the price and you can use multiples of this driver to decrease distortion even more. (..and this is coming from someone who generally despises "hi-fi" subwoofers.)
IF you have a LOT more space I'd use this driver in a Push-pull format with a non-aligned vent:
http://www.bmspro.com/products/15s430.html |
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| ScottG |
Thats almost 10% distortion 1watt/1meter at 20 Hz - not good. |
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| BassAwdyO |
| I dont know what everyone is exactly looking for here in the best custom driver ever, but I'd say if you want the BEST, parthenon would be at the top of my list. I'm sure even if they dont advertise for it adire still has it and if you wave thousands of dollars at them they'll probably build you one with whatever parameters you want. |
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| ezkcdude |
Do you think that 12" Dayton is better than the 12" Dayton Titanic driver? If so, why does the Titanic cost more and is inluded in the kit? |
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| simon5 |
| Titanic got more excursion so it's more costly to produce. It's more noisy because the pole vent is too small I heard, so THD is higher. |
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| zkaudio |
| tc sounds lms series.... anyone? |
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| Cloth Ears |
| quote: | Originally posted by Duck-Twacy
Right, Lambda SB12 in 130 liter sealed box, crossed over with Marchand XM44 somewhere between 100-150 Hz. |
I saw that picture and thought "A ha! They look familiar. Someone with good taste!"
I've got PB12s in sealed boxes and they do a sterling job - whether running them only up to 100Hz, or up to 400. They have a -3dB point at 53Hz (in 54 litre boxes), but are 'equal' to a ported box of the same size when you get down to 20Hz. And they sound so much better.
And I've got a pair of SB15's waiting (waiting...waiting...)
Do the Lambdas count as custom? They'd be close to the best value for money sub drivers that I've seen. And the TDX's as probably the best mid-basses (ever?)... |
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