Best Compression Drivers today 2022?

[mefistofelez]

Hi marco_gea,

Again, let's see a modern 1" CD that, when paired with a suitably large horn, can play music at medium SPLs over 5 octaves (650Hz-20kHz) with such low levels of distortion and clean impulse response as the TAD TD-2001...

What would be your recommendation for a horn for the TAD2001? A friend has a pair.

Kindest regards,

M

 

[juanitox]

interesting test and mesures here wih the JBL 2450J , RADIAN 951BE , 18Sounds 2060A , on ARAI 290FL Horn . He seems to prefer the 18Sounds CD on this horn .
https://forums.melaudia.net/showthread.php?tid=11748

 

[Ro808]

Hi marco_gea,

What would be your recommendation for a horn for the TAD2001? A friend has a pair.

Kindest regards,

M

A traditional horn that facilitates a more gradual expansion of the wavefront. So, not a short waveguide > won't match the TAD's exit section.

 

[Ro808]

1460A/2060A are interesting imo, because of this:

 

[mefistofelez]

Hi Ro808,

A traditional horn that facilitates a more gradual expansion of the wavefront. So, not a short waveguide > won't match the TAD's exit section.

I understand that, I made the very same observation when mating ALTEC 288 with a rapid flare rate horn. I had in mind a specific horn that one can build/purchase.

Kindest regards,

M

 

[moray james]

I would like to point out that nearly two decades ago we did a blind listening test. Two two way waveguide systems were made with two different driver sets. One was TAD and the other B&C. From some 30 participants there was statistically no difference between the two sets (although they were statistically different than two other non similar designs.) That's when I changed to B&C drivers.

Could you clarify please, were the two waveguide systems physically identical or were they each adjusted for the driver used? Thanks.

 

[Arez]

What would be your recommendation for a horn for the TAD2001? A friend has a pair.

Kindest regards,

M

The Reflexion arts (Spain) AX2 as has been linked here before, is a good contender if you can get hold of it. Developed by Newell Holland, Described in the book.
Marco linked one the other day, 1200$ a piece +, Yamamoto sound SS-500.
Joseph Crowe made a ES biradial for it, you will find some measurements on youtube on his channel.
Does okay in the TH-2002 too.

The TD 2002 is current, in production, and better in some ways.
Also does not have the need for resistive padding/ high impedance source, to fill out the 2001's cavity resonance 1800hz ish.

 

[mefistofelez]

Hi Arez,

The TD 2002 is current, in production, and better in some ways.

Thank you for your references, I will pass them no to my friend, but I am afraid the they will be out of his financial means.

I was also wondering if any of the Yuichi Arai's, or other DIY, horns could be adapted by means of a throat adapter.

Kindest regards,

M

 

[Arez]

The Arai 480 or similar 1" versions if so.

 

[yys310]

Hi yys310,

funny you should ask which is final choice....because that's something I'm currently deeply engaged with, trying to figure out...(still)

I've been alternating the two CDs in my latest experimental build syn11.
The 4594he is the easier of the two to get sounding super on wider array of material.
But on certain material, the dcx464 has a degree of clarity/realistic sound, that I can't quite match with BMS.
On other material, it sounds bright despite measurements that say otherwise...simply dunno why.

I've noticed this difference between the CDs before (on about every horn/syn I've built),
just not as strongly as on the latest syn11 test platform.

So sorry to say, I'm probably not much more help than I've ever been, on this.

I really do wish I had more than one dcx464...
totally screwed up when I didn't buy two. (especially back when they first came out for under $500 !)
Need to hear a good stereo setup with it...

Hi Mark,
Thanks for sharing. Recently I'm planning to purchase DCX464 and was looking for other options.
Seems that it's a really good one.
I just notice the measurement by Vance Dickason shows a bit higher 3rd harmonic at around 2kHz. Their new DCX354 shows flat H3 at its mid frequency range. The 2nd harmonic on DCX354 is a bit higher compare to DCX464. Not sure if this contribute to listening impression.
The price on TLHP is really good for DCX464. I think plus shipping is still around $500 to USA.
Dunno how much tax would be applied though.

 

[juanitox]

The mid only version ( DCM414/ DCM420) is even cheaper around 600$ for a pair ..

 

[Ro808]

Could you clarify please, were the two waveguide systems physically identical or were they each adjusted for the driver used? Thanks.

TAD TD-2001 doesn't work with OS waveguides, which has been shown here.

 

[marco_gea]

Hi marco_gea,

What would be your recommendation for a horn for the TAD2001? A friend has a pair.

Kindest regards,

M

This one: https://exclusive-audio.jp/en/products/yo-ss500

 

[marco_gea]

interesting test and mesures here wih the JBL 2450J , RADIAN 951BE , 18Sounds 2060A , on ARAI 290FL Horn . He seems to prefer the 18Sounds CD on this horn .
https://forums.melaudia.net/showthread.php?tid=11748

I read that thread.
Surprisingly, the author doesn't seem to have a clue about what makes for a proper driver-horn matching.
He's just mix-and-matching randomly...

 

[phase_accurate]

At least on paper the Kartesian Cmp65 looks interesting. It has less efficiency than other drivers (106dB/W) but seems to have less distortion as well.

Regards

Charles

 

[diyiggy]

FWIW.

Imo each has his own tastes, for me, with unaccuracy inmind of the reccording and the playback and just talkiung of the high mid and treble, this video is just showing a non natural sound : too much unatural clarity and ligthness, at the limit of the brigthness and a little in it, imho. Of course it could be the disc reccording as well.

 

[diyiggy]

You can attenuate the CD using an autotrasformer + shunt resistor. Almost zero ohms in series. Problem solved.

Thanks, and sorry for the off topic : are auto transformer even worse than resistor (in the way they color or impact the total magnitude) ?

I know some to appreciate for low level signals a cermet resistor pot of a low value in serie with the shunt resistor of a higher you talk about. Was it tested on compression drivers in passive filters ?

I am beginning to believe the use of compression drivers in high efficienty loudspeakers MUST use multi amp and DSP before in the way not to lose their advantages : a said "dynamic, energic" sound ?! Filter passive guys, look elswhere 😉 ?

 

[marco_gea]

Imo each has his own tastes, for me, with unaccuracy inmind of the reccording and the playback and just talkiung of the high mid and treble, this video is just showing a non natural sound : too much unatural clarity and ligthness, at the limit of the brigthness and a little in it, imho. Of course it could be the disc reccording as well.

Honesty, I wouldn't even bother listening to the video.
Too many factors.
Just watch it on mute to satisfy your curiosity about what the speakers look like.

 

[diyiggy]

Yes of course, I am always a little sad when people send me a reccording of their system after a tweak... you need to be there, not to hear the (always bad reccording that waste it all).

Ah ok, a mini TAD loudspeaker look !

 

[diyiggy]

At least on paper the Kartesian Cmp65 looks interesting. It has less efficiency than other drivers (106dB/W) but seems to have less distortion as well.

Regards

Charles

compression drivers seems new to them, I mean not their core business that seems to be classic hifi oem drivers for living room hifi brands ! I doubt they have the level of the old PA companies with their know how and research budget. Go figure !