The Current Maximum Bang For Your Buck Driver

[BassAwdyO]

Another thread (The sexiest woofer ever) on this forum inspired me to create this thread. To me that thread shows that there are alot of people out there who are familliar with alot of different drivers. I doubt any one of us knows every speaker out there though some may come close, so I believe collectively we can determine which driver avaiable currently is the best bang for your buck driver in the market.

The rules:

Bang for your buck is a ratio of dollars spent to the maximum output in decibels. Sound quality isnt considered in this particular definition, although it does play a factor in the worth of the speaker in question.

We're only talking about subwoofers here so I think it just to use the maximum output in a sealed box at 20hz. Unfortunately some people dont desire bass that low as I do, so I will have to say bang for your buck will be measured at 40hz in a sealed box of any size that is reasonable.

[BassAwdyO]

If you think you know one that is the best, or close to it... just post away.

[Luke (Uof Iowa)]

I'm kind of confused. Are you going to measure them or have people post their own results? Might be simpler to just look at theoretical linear displacement. Though the xmax measurement might not always be comparable if they're measured by different methods by differenct companies.

[BassAwdyO]

we can just keep things theoretical here... Xmax might not be the only indicator here since I said 40hz, not 20

SPL can be derived from a simulation(sorry I should have made myself more clear)

[johninCR]

I'll definitely throw my JBL 1500GTI in the hat for this one. Purchased new at a department store for $175 . Originally priced over $1k, but they never sold it. When I ran across it, it had been marked down 4 or 5 times. 92db at 2.83V, 20mm Xmax, 5000W peak power handling. It should be able to do 120-125db anechoic sealed at 40-50hz. As long as the marked down price is acceptable, it would be hard to beat. In fact enter it into your sexiest category too. To me your other example looked cheaply made in comparison.
http://www.jbl.com/car/products/prod...er=GTI&cat=SUB

If it gets thrown out, then I'm sure I can come up with an array of cheapie drivers in the same total price range that will achieve a similar or higher result in a sealed cab. 8 of these for example
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=290-063

[Luke (Uof Iowa)]

Ok, what simulation are you referring to? I'll throw out some suggestions. I tried to stay with subs that perform well and not just cheap and loud subs.

Acoustic Elegance/Stryke AV15 $205?
http://www.aespeakers.com/products_av15.php

Adire Shiva MSRP $199, I think the older ones were cheaper though
http://www.adireaudio.com/Home/ShivaSeries.htm

Dayton DVC $127.50
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=295-190&DID=7

Elemental Designs 16Kv2 $135 shipped
http://edesignaudio.com/product.php?...=Specs&cur=USD

[DcibeL]

Maximum bang for your buck driver is one that is on sale...or used but not abused. For example the Ascendant Audio drivers that are on sale right now..great deal.

At the local liquidation outlet there is some big Visonik drivers there, but I don't know anything about the company to say whether they are any good or not. They look like they might be all show no go drivers, but you never know.LINK

[BassAwdyO]

Ok, what simulation are you referring to?

Any kind of simulation that calculates the maximum continuous output I suppose. WinISD Bassbox Leap or whatever other speaker design program that does it...

I suppose I could do the simulations myself if supplied with the parameters(which I can probably find if I get a link)

I think we ought to make a new rule... blowout deals on drivers shouldnt really count. If a driver is "on sale" for some discount often then that is more reasonable and can be considered.

[johninCR]

Joe,

The rule maker said "sealed". If horns were allowed, I'd enter my 16 driver corner horn array design using NSB's. HornResp tells me that $8 of drivers will do 107db at 1 watt at 40hz. Unfortunately 40hz is the bottom limit before response drops like a rock and the drivers are close to their Xmax at one watt, so you couldn't call it a sub anyway.

[AJinFLA]

I'm going to ignore any rules, since that is what I do best . My lengthy search for maxiumum bang (boom?) for my (bass) dollar, ended here with these:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...884637-5408938
15" driver with a claimed (by Pyle - not me!) 24mm Xmax (p-p I would have to imagine ) for $37. And yes I bough a pair and took them up on the free shipping. I am aware of what low distortion bass sounds like with my 4 dipole Peerless XLS12's and 2 Rhythmik Servos, so dont call me deaf. Did I mention they were $37? Ten of those things will run you $370. They'll move some air. Ok. Now if I can just get around to actually using them in that project....

Cheers,

AJ