What is the Best Full Range driver under $70

[Kostya daSilva]

I am looking to build a two way system using a full range driver as the midrange and treble. Currently I am considering the

SB Acoustics SB65WBAC25-4 2.5" Full Range
Markaudio Pluvia Seven HD 4" Metal Cone Full Range-Chrome

And would like to know if there are better options. I am looking for a flat response that can be turned up loud without distorting. Size of the driver is not important. Full range drivers will most likely be crossed over with the Dayton Audio SD270A-88 10" subwoofer, also if you have any under 70$ subwoofer suggestions that would work better for this project please let me know.

TLD: Suggestions for best full range under $70

 

[planet10]

I have heard the P7HD. Makes a good midTweeter, add woofers below it.

dave

 

[Kostya daSilva]

I’ve seen a lot about the p7hds. Do you by chance know if they would sound good in an open baffle design? (Open full range, ported woofer)

 

[perceval]

I have the sb65 in a couple of designs. It’s really good with string and woodwind instruments with its fast response. Human voice is good, but for sultry voice jazz, I wouldn’t pick it. Treble behaviour is very good, extending way into the realm of tweeters.

But any small FR driver will struggle to play loud down to subwoofer crossing frequencies. I would ask too much of them down to 100Hz. Might be better to go dual, at least. One firing front, the other firing up. It would bring distortion down a notch but might be busting your budget, going with 4 FRs.

Another option is the Faitals. They play loud and made to take some abuse. 3FExx or 4FExx could be considered.
their higher frequencies are pretty strong, so with a little taming, they will reach high as well.

 

[perceval]

I’ve seen a lot about the p7hd’s. Do you by chance know if they would sound good in an open baffle design? (Open full range, ported woofer)

Any driver can be used in OB if they have bass support.

 

[Kostya daSilva]

I have the sb65 in a couple of designs. It’s really good with string and woodwind instruments with its fast response. Human voice is good, but for sultry voice jazz, I wouldn’t pick it. Treble behaviour is very good, extending way into the realm of tweeters.

But any small FR driver will struggle to play loud down to subwoofer crossing frequencies. I would ask too much of them down to 100Hz. Might be better to go dual, at least. One firing front, the other firing up. It would bring distortion down a notch but might be busting your budget, going with 4 FRs.

Another option is the Faitals. They play loud and made to take some abuse. 3FExx or 4FExx could be considered.
their higher frequencies are pretty strong, so with a little taming, they will reach high as well.

Sorry im a bit new to speakers what are fatals?

 

[perceval]

https://faitalpro.com/en/products/LF_Loudspeakers/product_details/index.php?id=401000100

 

[Kostya daSilva]

Those do look like great options! Do you know how they stack up against the p7hd in terms of audio quality?

 

[planet10]

I’ve seen a lot about the p7hds. Do you by chance know if they would sound good in an open baffle design? (Open full range, ported woofer)

Given that almost every OB requires helper woofers almost any good FR will work well on an OB. This is a good one.

dave

 

[Kostya daSilva]

That’s good to know! I actually didn’t know that about OB😅. Perceval mentioned the fatial FE32, as well so I will consider those for my build as well

 

[perceval]

Those do look like great options! Do you know how they stack up against the p7hd in terms of audio quality?

Never had a side by side comparison of those two.
The Faitals will feel brighter, due to their rising response.
They have higher sensitivity, so will play louder at the same power.
They also have higher mechanical damage limit.

 

[Kostya daSilva]

Ok, I’ll keep that in mind! Thank you 🙏

 

[GM]

SB Acoustics SB65WBAC25-4 2.5" Full Range
Markaudio Pluvia Seven HD 4" Metal Cone Full Range-Chrome

Hmm, based on acoustic power distribution:

sqrt(250*20000) = ~2236 Hz mean

134543/pi/2236 = 1.93" eff. dia. = 2.5" = mids/250 - up BW

sqrt(100*20000) = ~1414 Hz mean

13543/pi/1414 = ~3" eff. dia.= 4" = upper mid-bass/100Hz, rest of the male's voice

 

[Freedom666]

Maybe a used pair of these, I heard them it's pretty high end

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...anspeak-discovery-10f/8424g-4-midrange-8-ohm/

Scan Speak 10F 8424 G00 (10 WB 0824G00) Breitband - 8 Ohm

 

[planet10]

Do you know how they stack up against the p7hd in terms of audio quality?

‘Faital are good,i prefer P7HD are better.

But taste...

dave

 

[Freedom666]

This Pioneer 13cm BB is pretty high end with current drive amp

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...fication-to-current-drive.389985/post-7275389

 

[perceval]

The 10F are very good, but new out of the OP's budget. Unless it was from someone I knew, I 'm not sure I would buy drivers second hand.

 

[Freedom666]

Tectonic tebm 46 c20n 4b

Is one of the best. Perfect measurements

 

[Mitch311]

I have a set of the P7HD by themselves in the 13L CGR box from Dave. They sound absolutely fantastic for what they are.
Yes they’d love a helper woofer to dig deep, but they certainly do well all by themselves.

 

[Kostya daSilva]

‘Faital are good,i prefer P7HD are better.

But taste...

dave

I just read a couple forms and there’s a lot of talk about the chp90s. Should I also consider those?