THPL is a big seller, as they are an important (OEM- reseller/distributor/importer/exporter for brands arround the world. And so they can buy cheap (1000x a driver is much cheaper per unit than 10x). I heared from insiders that their official prices need to be what is the MRSP, but to "members" they can give discounts. So they give them if you make an account and become a "member". DIY is only a fraction of their bussiness, but is the way that most learn about them. Sound import is their main rival, but sound import does not work on the scale of THPL. Other shops mainly buy b2b from one of those two, if they don't buy from the brand direct (for EU brands).
I do not know as I do not have an account at Soundimports, generally the prices are similar but that may depend on a particular brand and/or availability, e.g., TLHP does not sell Dayton speakers and you do not get any discounts on Audax drivers. Sometimes Dibirama is cheaper than other shops.
Consider that the stac tw costs 40€ when you are not logged in.
They stock them as OEM since 5 years so (Probably for companies that use them). Since only the faceplate is plastic instead alu ,It's just good to know that if we go for the STAC, peaple can take this one to win 10eu if they don't care about the alu face plate ...
I have used both the SB26STAC soft dome and the SB26CDC aluminum dome. They are both excellent for the money, and I would be happy to see either one of them used in this application.
Has the option to use a waveguide for the tweeter already been discussed? For me personally, optimising the radiation with a WG would be preferred. But I would understand it would add to the complexity for someone to make it, seems it would ask more woodwork for routing and 3D-printing (or cnc if one wants to splash).
Maybe use the pre-designed 5" wg for the SB26ADC from @augerpro?
Maybe use the pre-designed 5" wg for the SB26ADC from @augerpro?
@Arnandsway
Yes. We will have a "classic" design reflecting the heritage of vintage "Monkey Coffin" designs of the ~1970s era. Non-waveguided tweeter, no edge treatments.
We will also (probably) have a modified version with a waveguide tweeter and chamfered or rounded edges. The idea originated with the ease of using one of the stock SB26 tweeters and putting the same tweeter in an AugerPro waveguide. If we don't select one of the SB26 tweeters we can still do something along these lines.
Yes. We will have a "classic" design reflecting the heritage of vintage "Monkey Coffin" designs of the ~1970s era. Non-waveguided tweeter, no edge treatments.
We will also (probably) have a modified version with a waveguide tweeter and chamfered or rounded edges. The idea originated with the ease of using one of the stock SB26 tweeters and putting the same tweeter in an AugerPro waveguide. If we don't select one of the SB26 tweeters we can still do something along these lines.
The SS H2606 is affordable too. Might be old school, but I doubt a lot would notice the difference. And before arguing, superimpose the data sheets of both mid and tweeter and look at the off axis responses.
@wickers
The STC version became an OEM version only. The only difference from the STAC version is that it has a plastic faceplate. The SB26STAC (with aluminum faceplate) is a very popular tweeter and is not being discontinued and I'm confident won't be discontinued for a long time.
The STC version became an OEM version only. The only difference from the STAC version is that it has a plastic faceplate. The SB26STAC (with aluminum faceplate) is a very popular tweeter and is not being discontinued and I'm confident won't be discontinued for a long time.
If the SB26STAC, better to use it >=2500 Hz. Below that the ADC/CAC is the obvious choice. We never need the 92 dB of the STAC too ! So a question of sounding taste imo.
Midrange and woofer are made by STX. The brand I was talking about some posts ago.
Someone wrote on another forum that it was about $100 in shipping alone, and therefore, not worth it.
A4eaudio,
Has the SB26STWGC been struck off the list? It comes with a small waveguide, and Hifijim has already done a very decent budget project using that tweeter on a wide'ish baffle.
My understanding is that SB Acoustic drivers are available in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Has the SB26STWGC been struck off the list? It comes with a small waveguide, and Hifijim has already done a very decent budget project using that tweeter on a wide'ish baffle.
My understanding is that SB Acoustic drivers are available in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
That SB26STWGC is quiet good it seems. I never used it but it looks low distortion to about 1000Hz, so fit to cross arround 1500Hz. The top end is not as good as some others, but it's issues are minor if i may trust some measurments made here. Price is arround 90€ in Europe, a bit more expensive than others mentioned, but if it fits the bill it may be a good choice to have a small waveguide without fuss to make or design one as it's the frontplate of the tweeter.
waxx,
Thanks for chiming in. Since it is a small waveguide, possibly it will not be a big departure from the classic speaker aesthetic that the participants of this thread are trying to remain faithful to.
3D printing a WG has its own set of challenges, and the SB26STWGC unit should be simpler/easier to mount.
Thanks for chiming in. Since it is a small waveguide, possibly it will not be a big departure from the classic speaker aesthetic that the participants of this thread are trying to remain faithful to.
3D printing a WG has its own set of challenges, and the SB26STWGC unit should be simpler/easier to mount.
Yes, the SB26STWGC is a good tweeter. The waveguide will probably help control directivity and lessen the negative impact of the sharp edged baffle, but only if the crossover from mid to tweeter is 3k or higher. On my project [ Terra Incognita ], I intended to use a 3k crossover, but the response of the mid in the 2k-4k region forced me to set the crossover at about 2.2k, so I did not get the full directivity benefit I was expecting.
The cost delta between the SB26STAC and SB26STWGC is about $40. Given the emphasis on cost in this project, we have to be certain that if we are paying an extra $40 per side for a waveguide, it actually benefits the speaker performance. Perhaps it does, but we should run some simulations to make an informed decision....
j.
The cost delta between the SB26STAC and SB26STWGC is about $40. Given the emphasis on cost in this project, we have to be certain that if we are paying an extra $40 per side for a waveguide, it actually benefits the speaker performance. Perhaps it does, but we should run some simulations to make an informed decision....
j.