I've been doing some driver 'research' in google images and came across a couple of unusual drivers I never expected to see.
I thought it would make a fun thread to collect images and details of unusual or weird drivers.
I'll start with ScanSpeak coaxial that appears to have polystyrene slapped on the front!
https://s3t.it/weirdness/scanspeak-13m-coaxial/
Next we have a grotesque version o the famous ScanSpeak mid-bass.
https://diyspeakers.eu/product/scan-speak-11m-4631g05-gold/
Then I'll add this one because it is such an unusual suspension arrangement, at least it is these days.
I thought it would make a fun thread to collect images and details of unusual or weird drivers.
I'll start with ScanSpeak coaxial that appears to have polystyrene slapped on the front!
https://s3t.it/weirdness/scanspeak-13m-coaxial/
Next we have a grotesque version o the famous ScanSpeak mid-bass.
https://diyspeakers.eu/product/scan-speak-11m-4631g05-gold/
Then I'll add this one because it is such an unusual suspension arrangement, at least it is these days.
Fan woofer. Eminent Technology.
Flap woofer. Flat membrane with hinge on one end. Mfg?
Bozhen woofer and tweeter.
Heil Transar.
Cabasse TC21 3 way coax.
Morel 4 stack-magnet woofers, both in front and behind cone.
Adire Parthenon.
Phoenix Gold Cyclone.
Tymphany LAT.
Kove Audio coax with ring radiator mid and central tweeter. Cant find the name.
Peerless GLS dome woofers.
Volt radial framed woofers.
Airblade.
Fibona.
There are more...
Wolf
Flap woofer. Flat membrane with hinge on one end. Mfg?
Bozhen woofer and tweeter.
Heil Transar.
Cabasse TC21 3 way coax.
Morel 4 stack-magnet woofers, both in front and behind cone.
Adire Parthenon.
Phoenix Gold Cyclone.
Tymphany LAT.
Kove Audio coax with ring radiator mid and central tweeter. Cant find the name.
Peerless GLS dome woofers.
Volt radial framed woofers.
Airblade.
Fibona.
There are more...
Wolf
Peerless actually also got a 10" dome woofer. I never tried it or know someone who did.
https://en.toutlehautparleur.com/ha...6-4-cm.html?___store=tlhp_en&___from_store=v2
https://en.toutlehautparleur.com/ha...6-4-cm.html?___store=tlhp_en&___from_store=v2
Hey Wolf, get us some pictures please 🙂
I can't believe I forgot the Sony woofers! There are a few variants. I think the multi motors design is especially unique.
http://soundoddity.com/blog/index.php/2017/07/07/about-the-amazing-apm-66es/
My friend has those 2-ways and they actually do sound really good. Sensible engineering behind the weird looking design. With additive manufactuing I'm hoping to see more inventive drivers these days!
I think we can also include the Hi-Vi Trinity 6 as unusual with good intentions but unfortunately pretty shite performance. Woofer with 3" VC, Ring radiator mid and planar magnetic tweeter.
I can't believe I forgot the Sony woofers! There are a few variants. I think the multi motors design is especially unique.
http://soundoddity.com/blog/index.php/2017/07/07/about-the-amazing-apm-66es/
My friend has those 2-ways and they actually do sound really good. Sensible engineering behind the weird looking design. With additive manufactuing I'm hoping to see more inventive drivers these days!
I think we can also include the Hi-Vi Trinity 6 as unusual with good intentions but unfortunately pretty shite performance. Woofer with 3" VC, Ring radiator mid and planar magnetic tweeter.
Member
Joined 2003
Member
Joined 2003
Of course these have been around for forever, but I've always thought the Volt woofers with the frame on the outside were pretty interesting and weird.
Some of the "weirdest" drivers ever built are of the auxetophone variety:
http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/auxetophone/auxetoph.htm
The compressed air driven Auxetophone used a sort of "grid-iron" valve consisting of a metal comb which opened and closed fine slots in the valve seating in response to an audio signal.
Perhaps the pinnacle of this type of loudspeaker was Charles Dilks "Vocal-Aire".
A college professor explained the operation of the system to me in the mid-1980s, having been aware of it's use during WWII for propaganda communication from airplanes. The units were loud enough to allow the airplanes to fly above gun fire with speech still heard loud and clear on the ground miles below.
The engine-driven units were lighter and more powerful than vacuum tube amplification of the era, and the air pressure driven metal comb valve was able to achieve sound levels far greater than voice-coil/diaphragm type drivers of the time, which couldn't handle more than 20 or so watts without burning out.
Art
http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/auxetophone/auxetoph.htm
The compressed air driven Auxetophone used a sort of "grid-iron" valve consisting of a metal comb which opened and closed fine slots in the valve seating in response to an audio signal.
Perhaps the pinnacle of this type of loudspeaker was Charles Dilks "Vocal-Aire".
A college professor explained the operation of the system to me in the mid-1980s, having been aware of it's use during WWII for propaganda communication from airplanes. The units were loud enough to allow the airplanes to fly above gun fire with speech still heard loud and clear on the ground miles below.
The engine-driven units were lighter and more powerful than vacuum tube amplification of the era, and the air pressure driven metal comb valve was able to achieve sound levels far greater than voice-coil/diaphragm type drivers of the time, which couldn't handle more than 20 or so watts without burning out.
Art
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