Budget Classic 3-way Discussion Thread

Dayton is not cheap in europe, it's like said more in the league of the cheaper scanspeak and more expensive SB drivers. Goldwood is unavaileble here. So both are not an option if you want it be build by Europeans also.

The Peerless SLS12 is for now the best option i think, within the limitations set. There were some others interesting, but keep in mind that it must be cheap and good and availeble in at least US, Canada and Europe (preferable worldwide, but that is hard). The peerless fits that target.
 
If cost is that tight, I'd consider the Dayton Audio DS315-8 or Goldwood GW-12PC-8 woofer. Both are less than $100 and better than the Peerless.

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Have you heard so many drivers that you can say these are better than the Peerless. I'm not making an accusation, but sometimes brand bias is strong. I'm guilty myself of that, as I won't go near some products.

Is there something that shows in measurements to highlight a issue?
 
One of the first suggestions (by me) was the DSA315-8. Unfortunately Dayton drivers are not nearly as good a bargain in Europe. The DSA315 costs 10 euros less than the Scan-speak Discovery 26W in Europe. So we ruled out Dayton drivers and have focused on SB Acoustics, Peerless, FaitalPro, etc.

Yes, we have recognized that "ruling out Dayton drivers" for a budget build is a bizarre concept for those of us in the US.

Which is odd to me they cost that much in Europe. Are they made in Mexic and not in China ?

LaVocce should not be expensive in Europe as it is made in China (designed in Italia)
 
Yes, LaVoce is available for 145 euros (maybe cheaper with a login?)

IF I were to build a prototype and measure with the LaVoce, it would be in addition to the SLS-12", not in replacement of. Of course someone else is free to do so 🙂

However, if you go back through the posts, there have been 3 official data sheets with different TS parameters, yet no official changes announced. So there is some doubt regarding quality control and replicability for an open source design.
 
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Waveguide isn't that critical given the design budget and constraints. You'd be better off spending the time, money and effort somewhere more important. Good in room off axis performance can be obtained without it. The amount of engineering is more involved than it appears.
 
...The amount of engineering is more involved than it appears.
👍
My thinking is that if we use a tweeter that already has an AugerPro waveguide, then I'd print one and take additional measurements with that as an option. For example, the SB26ADC has been mentioned many times. But I appreciate your point and have no plans to design a waveguide specifically for the budget build.
 
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@A4eaudio
Agreed.

As discussed I may be able to some measurements of drivers I already have on the shelf, and some (hopefully) helpful critique, but will not be building along, (at least in the short term)

It’s a shame I do not already have the SLS-12 to measure for the group, as I already have the SLS-8 and SLS-10, and FSL-12, and 835017 and 830845.
 
@tktran303 - the SLS12 is not new or rare...for driver selection, do you agree that we know enough about it (i.e., trust the mfg specs) to move forward? My thinking is we do with the Peerless but wouldn't select the LaVoce without measuring an actual pair.
 
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I would be willing to buy and test the LaVoce SSF122.50L (via DATs) but if their TS parameters are all over the place maybe it doesn't matter what values I report.
Here are the TS parameters from 3 data sheets: Parts Express, Toutlehautparleur and the LaVoce product catalog. My guess is that when they get a major batch made they test them and create a new data sheet (but I could be completely wrong). If so, I actually respect this, because I know of two examples where the OEM changed manufacturing facilities, the TS parameters changed significantly and it was only known/publicized because of the forums.

LaVoce TS comparison.png


So, for an open source design, can we trust using the LaVoce SSF122.50L or is the batch to batch variation a significant concern? Answer: not a concern. See the box model below with the three different sets of TS parameters below. Box is 2.2 cf, tuned to 42Hz, 0.5 ohms series resistance, Qa=50. The largest difference is at 70Hz, with 200 watts (which doesn't get the driver half-way to xmax) the SPL is 114.7dB, 115.0dB and 115.3dB. (Horizontal divisions are 0.5db)

LaVoce comparison.png
 
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differences are too small, you won't notice.
but we come back to the OSMC numbers, while we could do sealed... I see no interest in this driver.

From an external point of view, the SLS 12 & 10 winn, because the price everywhere and two possible projects according the size and Qtc whished.

SB34RNX remains for the fuller pockets (this my personal choice for my personal project sealed), while a ripole with 4 SLS-12 is attracting me as well, but not sure it works in 40 square meters. It has attraction to me, because it easier to do, less box sounds, and peace for close neighbours, no bracing hassle. (it is cardioish patern). for the average North American, it could be spl shy though !

Btw, due to the compacness of a Ripole, we could lipstick it into a 3 Ways classic easily, 38 cm width & heigth circa, add the rest above for the mid and tweeter and you have the volume of a M-C ! That's the dimension of Jazzman's ripole with SLS12". (and you fall to 4 ohms design)

But 4 x 75 USD or 4 X 100 euros, so off topic.
 
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