2-way with TPL-150H | What bass driver?

[FredrikC]

Hello forum!
I'm planing a small 2-way speaker based on the TPL-150H AMT driver from Beyma. What I'm looking for is the best 12" low-mid driver to deal with frequencies from 900 down to about 40hz.

Beyma has some designs where they use 12MWNd & 12G40. But I don't know if they are the best alternatives. You have 12B100/R with alot lower FS and a bit higher Qts which will provide deeper bass, but I'm not sure about the midrange qualities. Then you have drivers like JBL 2204h, Eminence Kappa and also others that might work, but I have no idea what to choose.

I know I'm not gonna get any deep bass from such a small two-way, but I'm looking for the best compromise between bass and midrange. I want the higghest posibel sensitivity. About 37-40hz in room response is what I'm aiming for.

Somebody who could help me out?

 

[meister_gue]

The tweeter is a great choice!

I used Beyma 10G40 and 8G40, and both are great drivers, so I'm pretty sure, that the 12G40 is a great driver too.

I used 12MWnD too, but only up to 150Hz, and there it performs well, but I'm not sure, that it could compete with a 12G40.

I really like Beyma's SM112/N as a midrange driver. Maybe you want to take a look at it.

 

[63781]

Can recommend the Beyma 12G40, very nice driver. 12B100 is not a very good one IMHO.

 

[FredrikC]

Thanks for the advice guys. Even though, I bought something else: JBL 2204h.
They seem to be a very nice compromise between low end response and mid frequency smoothness. I bought them second hand for a reasonable price.

StigErik, what is your opinion on the TPL150H vs standard TPL-150 for my application?
I'm not really gonna use the extra sensitivity, but horn version is more linear down towards and below 1kHz (which is a good thing considering my bass/mid compromise i think) and the extra directivity probably works better in my minimalistic living room?

I have the possibility to buy the version without Horn allot cheaper second hand, but I fear I will regret it if I ditch the horns....

Then plan now is: 75L box, ported to 40-45hz somewhere. Active corssover, I think I'll start with a cheap Behringer og dBx, and I'f I'm happy with the design I might buy something like DEQX later. Sounds like a plan?

 

[badman]

JBL 2213/123A-3 is a pretty awesome choice- it won't maintain mid-90s sensitivity though (90). In a 2.5-3 cu ft floorstander it'd be pretty rockin- little bit high Qtc but at a lower freq so group delay should be well suppressed.

 

[Inductor]

StigErik, what is your opinion on the TPL150H vs standard TPL-150 for my application?
I'm not really gonna use the extra sensitivity, but horn version is more linear down towards and below 1kHz (which is a good thing considering my bass/mid compromise i think) and the extra directivity probably works better in my minimalistic living room?

I have the possibility to buy the version without Horn allot cheaper second hand, but I fear I will regret it if I ditch the horns.(...)

I would say the same thing, from what I see (out. curves)...
Also to consider the H dispersion of the combo W/T.

...Thanks for the advice guys. Even though, I bought something else: JBL 2204h.
They seem to be a very nice compromise between low end response and mid frequency smoothness. I bought them second hand for a reasonable price.
...
Then plan now is: 75L box, ported to 40-45hz somewhere. Active corssover, I think I'll start with a cheap Behringer og dBx, and I'f I'm happy with the design I might buy something like DEQX later. Sounds like a plan?

I would model the enclosure with the WP simulator.
Pialign Analysis Software to help you design your enclosures.

 

[mige0]

AMT in 2-way is a challenge anyway, I'd say.
Using the horn or not will not make *that* much of a difference and you probably will end up with XO at 1kH5 rather than 900Hz, or possibly even higher (depending on SPL requirements). This horn is pretty small, after all.

Good luck, and let us know how it turned out for you.

Michael

 

[FredrikC]

AMT in 2-way is a challenge anyway, I'd say.
Using the horn or not will not make *that* much of a difference and you probably will end up with XO at 1kH5 rather than 900Hz, or possibly even higher (depending on SPL requirements). This horn is pretty small, after all.

Good luck, and let us know how it turned out for you.

Michael

Thanks for the reply, I heard some people say the same thing.
The guy I bought my 2204h's from recomended me a crossover about 1-1.2kHz, because he also felt that AMT's would have problems going below 1khz and the JBL will easily go beyond 1kHz..... but he had not tested the TPL-150H in particular. Have you?

StigErik who replied a couple of posts above you, have created som pretty awesome two-ways based on the TPL-150H, and if I'm not mistaken they have a crossover of about 900hz...

Doesn't really mater as I can experiment alot with the active XO and the JBL handles frequencies way beoynd 1khz acording to people who have used them. Since my my target sensitivity is about 95-96dB I will have to use some EQ to lower the level on the AMT, so no biggie If it drops a little towards the XO.

Thanks for the reply, I will let you know how it goes when I have started. Becaue I'm in the middle of my exams at university I won't have time the next two-three weeks.

 

[FredrikC]

I would say the same thing, from what I see (out. curves)...
Also to consider the H dispersion of the combo W/T.

Thanks for your opinion. I have decided that I will but the H version. StigErik had the same opinion.

(Thanks for the reply to my PM StigErik!)

I would model the enclosure with the WP simulator.
Pialign Analysis Software to help you design your enclosures.

I have BassBox pro, Unibox and winISD. Is this program any bether?
I can't test it on my normal compuser since it's runing 64bit Win 7. But if it's something special I'll use an emulator or some older computer.

 

[FredrikC]

I'm thinking about using adjustable port tubes, so that I can match the port tuning to any room and to my taste.

Is that a good Idea? Do they work exactly like a fixed port or are there some drawbacks I should be aware of?

 

[hum4god]

Hi



is there an update to this project ?

i am also looking at the beyma driver right now and try to find an appropriate driver to mate .
acoustic elegance makes very nice 12 and 15 drivers w/ high efficiency that are also available in dipole versions for open baffle .

apparently they extend up to 2000hz , so it would be possible to crossover at around 1.2 or 1.5khz easily.

i am not sure what their low frequency extension would be ???

i might try the TD12LO .

i would only need low freq. extension to 80hz where a sub takes over .

anybody w/ experience regarding the acoustic elegance 12m or 12 dipole ot LO driver ??

 

[FredrikC]

Hi hum4god,
the project is not moving forward at the moment because I'm in the midle of my exams at university right now.

So far I bougt: JBL2204h for bass/mid, I have bought miniDSP for digital crossover/DSP, I've bought adjustable port tubes, terminals, and MDF.

I'll let you know when I have started.

Do you have a link to TD12LO? I was seriously considering the AE TD12M. I think they are really good drivers.

If you only need extension down to about 80hz I would also consider Beyma 12P80Nd and 12P1000Nd & B&C TBX100.

 

[John_E_Janowitz]

This may be a good link to check out regarding the TPL150 and the TD12M's.

Custom main monitors complete! - Gearslutz.com

I know Greg is around on the forums here as well. As far as the upper end response, you can get up into that 1k-2KHz range however with any larger diameter driver your dispersion will narrow at those points. I think Greg's design had a good balance of where to cross between the TD12M and TPL150.

John