Light weight (sub)woofer driver?

[eRiCdWoNg]

I'm looking for a light weight subwoofer for my mobile application. I know this is not the car stereo forum, but I figure this would be the best place to ask.

Anyway, weight is a GREAT concern, my vehicle is very sensitive to weight put in the rear, so I'm hoping to keep the entire enclosure (it will be a sonotube) no more than 20 lbs (9 kg) maximum. My current set up, the woofer alone is 25 lbs (11.33 kg), and the enclosure is rather heavy. Are there any neodynium magnet based subwoofers? I'd like a 12" (300 mm) or so, with high power handling, good performance, 500-1000 watt power handling, fairly efficient etc. I'm not a fan of 83 dB efficient woofers. Enclosure can be around 1.5 cubic foot (42 liters).

A quick search yielded Diamond Audio's TX line having N/D magnets, http://www.diamondaudio.com/products...&line=1&model=
Unfortunately the weight is not listed and the efficiency is rather low.

I also found AuraSound's woofer, but they're outta the price range..
http://www.madisound.com/aurasound.html

[Rademakers]

Budget? And is BMS available in the states?

Wkr Johan

[eRiCdWoNg]

I'd say $200 US or so. I'm not looking for the hugest Xmax and PE woofer on the planet. My stereo blasting days are over Although I would like it to get loud when I need to.

Never heard of the brand you mention, so it may not be available here.

I found 2 more potential candidates:
A cheaper aurasound that weighs only 10 lbs (4.3 KG)
http://www.madisound.com/pdf/aurasound/NS12-513-4A.pdf

and a slightly heavier (16 lb)
Sonic Craft (i think a madisound house brand, with a aurasound motor)
http://www.madisound.com/pdf/SC12NRT.pdf

[BassAwdyO]

there are some Neo Pro drivers available via partsexpresss that might be worth checking out. High power and efficiency with low weight. Enclosures might be large, but sensitivity will definately be high

Do a search for Neo Pro on partsexpress.com... the 2nd half of page 2 and most of page three might be of interest

[owdi]

That sonicraft on sale at madisound looks like the perfect solution. The listed weight is 16lbs, with the sonotube you should be under 20lbs.

[edit] That weight seems a bit high, since an Ascendant Audio assasin 12 weights only 15 lbs, and has about the same throw.

Dan

[speaker]

You won't find a neodymium based woofer within your budget. I would look at a ferrite magnet sub (Boston G1, JL W1, etc.) which are in the ~12-15 lb. range. Both of their 12" subs work in ~1cf sealed or larger vented. The rest of the weight reduction will center on your enclosure design. If you use 1/2" mdf or hdf and thin tempered hardboard bracing (masonite), you could keep the entire system weight under 25 lbs.

If you can stretch your budget, you could build the enclosure from TIG'd 3/16" aluminum sheet. I built a 1cf sealed enclosure for a Boston G1200 some years back this way and it worked great. I used Peal & Seal on the inside to damp the walls. If there was any flex, it was not noticeable. The system hammered & weighed under 17 lbs.

There are plenty of options for you. Good Luck!

[Nwalmaer]

How about TB's new compact neodymium-motor drivers?

http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1208_03/wt-1427.htm

They just updated their site a couple of days ago, not seen any for sale. But when they go for sale they should be pretty cheap judging by their history.

[cbrunhaver]

As was mentioned earlier, NEO based pro audio drivers may be a good solution. While they don;t have as much excursion capabilities as some car audio subwoofers, they tend to have good reliability, power handling, and wide bandwidth. BMS woofers are carried by www.assistanceaudio.com in the US and their 12ND630 and 15N630 would be good choices, around the $200 mark. Also, Eminence has a new line of NEO pro audio drivers coming out and their Kappalite 15LF would be a good choice, though probably slightly more expensive than your budget.

-Chris

[speaker]

Originally posted by cbrunhaver
As was mentioned earlier, NEO based pro audio drivers may be a good solution. While they don;t have as much excursion capabilities as some car audio subwoofers, they tend to have good reliability, power handling, and wide bandwidth. BMS woofers are carried by www.assistanceaudio.com in the US and their 12ND630 and 15N630 would be good choices, around the $200 mark. Also, Eminence has a new line of NEO pro audio drivers coming out and their Kappalite 15LF would be a good choice, though probably slightly more expensive than your budget.

-Chris

The major problem I see w/ pro drivers (neo, ferrite, or otherwise) are the large enclosure requirements. A bigger enclosure translates into more weight. A 15" driver will need a HUGE enclosure.

[Rademakers]

Not necessarily. In my first post I was aiming for the BMS 12N630. About 9 lbs, high powerhandling, nice Xmax and easily suitable for enclosures under 2 ft^3.

Wkr Johan