Looking for an efficient wideband that can go from 1khz (2nd order) to at least 10khz.
Best alternative I've found so far is the Wavecor TW030WA12
Although 1khz might be a stretch for it...
I've also looked at some small "full ranges", but none of them are more than ~90 db efficient.
Any suggestions? (if there even is such a driver out there)
Best alternative I've found so far is the Wavecor TW030WA12
Although 1khz might be a stretch for it...
I've also looked at some small "full ranges", but none of them are more than ~90 db efficient.
Any suggestions? (if there even is such a driver out there)
Thanks, thats indeed an interesting driver! Wish it was just a couple of db's more efficient, but I get thats a whole lot to ask of a 3 incher 🙄
How large are you willing to go? I noticed that wavecor specs that driver's operating range as starting at 1.5k
As long as the response is smooth up top, I can accept some beaming as a result from the larger driver (if that was what you were getting at). My problem with the larger drivers is the typical peaky response. Take the Fostex FE126En for instance.
Look for a 4" class driver. This will probably have the mix of response and SPL you are seeking.
How about one of these (it's a midrange):
ScanSpeak 10F4424G00
The response on axis just about makes it to 10kHz. SPL is around 90dB/W. You could cross this lower than 1kHz if you wanted to, or use a low order slope at 1kHz.
Less expensive but supposedly a good full-range driver:
Tang Band W4-1337SDF 4" Titanium Full Range Speaker
These are starting to beam around 5-6kHz.
There are many options, but most have low sensitivity especially when smaller than 4".
How about one of these (it's a midrange):
ScanSpeak 10F4424G00
The response on axis just about makes it to 10kHz. SPL is around 90dB/W. You could cross this lower than 1kHz if you wanted to, or use a low order slope at 1kHz.
Less expensive but supposedly a good full-range driver:
Tang Band W4-1337SDF 4" Titanium Full Range Speaker
These are starting to beam around 5-6kHz.
There are many options, but most have low sensitivity especially when smaller than 4".
The Scan-Speak 10F is a very fine driver indeed. But not efficient. Looking at the 8 ohm version its about 85-86 db. Same with the Tang Band.
Do you use a tweeters with it?
FRS 8 M - 8 Ohm | Visaton (€10 Thomann), maybe use 2 for higher efficiency?
With 2 or 4 of them, I use dayton mini planar tweeters (x-over 5k) to get better highs and off axis coverage. The mids sound superb.
Most of these drivers have an on axis peak in the highs to compensate for the beaming, to get enough highs in the room.
FRS 8 M - 8 Ohm | Visaton (€10 Thomann), maybe use 2 for higher efficiency?
With 2 or 4 of them, I use dayton mini planar tweeters (x-over 5k) to get better highs and off axis coverage. The mids sound superb.
Most of these drivers have an on axis peak in the highs to compensate for the beaming, to get enough highs in the room.
Some people use 15" widebands so it'd be nice if you could let us know what's acceptable. Would this work? MarkAudio Alpair 12P 8" Paper Cone Full Range
The best sounding wide banders I heard are the 8" AER BD3's / Voxitive but $$$$$. TAD ( and similar) compression drivers also fit that bill.
Won't using 2 or 4 of them cause lobing problems?
For cone drivers, I'd rather not go over 5 inches due to dispersion/beaming issues.
Seems the Heil one shouldn't be crossed below 1500hz. The BG is interesting. Although a bit hard to work with due to the top end response and narrow vertical dispersion.
While researching this, I stumbled upon the Audax 13LB25AL which seems very promising!
This could even be crossed 1st order at 500hz to make a 2nd order acoustic slope.
Only downside is that the off-axis response drops like a brick in the top end.
Unfortunately, that equals a large horn to be able to cross at 1khz 😉
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Maybe these Dayton Audio PS220-8 8" Point Source Full-Range Neo Driver or some Wild Burros. 6-8 in pro midranges also an option.
It may "seem" that way, but it depends on the crossover and the driver below it.
-perhaps the "best" sound is achieved with a simple electrical filter and a crossover around 1.8-2 kHz. But that doesn't mean it won't do for an LR 2nd at 1 kHz.
Dispersion matching is of course critical between the midrange and the Heil, as is mass differences between the two and the way the mid. is loaded in its enclosure. (..ie. look for a lighter (Mms) cone for a given Sd, and either horn load the mid or use a large enough diaphragm to achieve the matching dispersion at 1 kHz.)
Not without a larger than life horn I reckon... Or what would actually happen if you couple an 2 inch CD to a small shallow waveguide? I guess you would just end up with a heavily rising response?
The 'loading' on the diaphragm is determined by the depth of the horn or waveguide. Same concept as a midrange or bass horn. For instance, if you wanted to load the diaphragm down to 675hz, or about half an octave below the crossover, you'd want a depth of 5". If you have a coverage angle of 90 degrees by 90 degrees, your waveguide would measure 11" x 11".
Gedlee Summa used a xover of 900hz iirc, and a 15" x 15" waveguide.
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