I just opened the latest issue of AudioXpress and on the last page there is a PE advertisement featuring all the members of the ULTIMAX II subwoofer line. This includes drivers of 8, 10, 12, 15, and 18 inches nominal size, all with very impressive Xmax specs (up to +/- 28mm for the 18" driver). The VC configuration seems to be dual 2 Ohm for all versions. At a glance this seems like some new and interesting stuff from Dayton and so I thought I would fire up a discussion thread for this new driver line.
If you have news/info on these drivers, or when they become available you have first hand experiences to relate, please post them here!
If you have news/info on these drivers, or when they become available you have first hand experiences to relate, please post them here!
18 inch has the spec sheet up
I don't know much but they seem like the MX series with better inductance control. The MX had lower Xmaxes than defined by 70%BL, but since that isn't specified at all for these, I feel kinda sceptical. I also wonder how the Reference series stack up against these in terms of sound quality?
I don't know much but they seem like the MX series with better inductance control. The MX had lower Xmaxes than defined by 70%BL, but since that isn't specified at all for these, I feel kinda sceptical. I also wonder how the Reference series stack up against these in terms of sound quality?
If the Ultimax II are coming to market, is the original Ultimax lineup phased out to make way for the new lineup? Or are they produced together?
When they say usable range to 500hz, and the frequency plot looks like this:
https://www.daytonaudio.com/images/resources/295-710--dayton-audio-UMII10-22-spec-sheet.pdf
Is it a bad idea to run it anywhere near 500hz? Asking as I'm looking for a sub to work in a three-way tower speaker, crossed at 300hz.
https://www.daytonaudio.com/images/resources/295-710--dayton-audio-UMII10-22-spec-sheet.pdf
Is it a bad idea to run it anywhere near 500hz? Asking as I'm looking for a sub to work in a three-way tower speaker, crossed at 300hz.
Well, heck, you COULD use that driver up to 1.5kHz! In all seriousness, the MFG "usable range" is not a parameter you should pay attention to. Instead, as you have done, take a look at the frequency response and if possible some distortion data (typically measured by a 3rd party like a DIYer, etc.). There is an obvious and strong resonance around 350Hz and I would not recommend using this driver above 150Hz. It's a subwoofer after all...
And, with that good point CharlieLaub, the opposite is kind of true when it comes to 6.5" midranges which state they can go really low in Hz (so says the mfg) but, when you've got a sub, cut those mids' low-frequencies off at the best possible cross to make them clearer sounding PLUS their added deepest bass to the true subwoofer won't really matter (probably couldn't even hear it) and then the biggie - all that misspent low-end power sent to the mids from their amp doesn't have to be sent and it can be used to make the mids louder. As always, give those drivers more RMS wattage than rated to avoid clipping. My mids are rated at 125W and the class A/B amp puts out 150W to each of the two (300W stereo amp) so none of that wattage goes to waste. Let the sub's class D amp handle what it was meant to do, hehe.
What's up with the weak motors... 🤭
The price seems "very good", but that aint no Ultimax.
The price seems "very good", but that aint no Ultimax.
