15" 2-way Ideas

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

So my plan is to make a 15" 2-way very dynamic massive speakers. Im new to building so would love any feedback.

Driver I'm think of would be a Beyma SM115/N 15" woofer
http://loudspeakerfreaks.com/Product.asp?mfr=Beyma&part=SM115/N&Product_ID=3622

and a Eminence N314T-8 CD
Eminence N314T-8 1.4" Neo Compression Driver 8 Ohm 4-Bolt

with a Eminence H14EA horn
Eminence H14EA 1.4" Cast Aluminum Exponential Horn 60x40 4-Bolt

For the crossover I would add an L-Pad 13 db or so on the CD and using a 3rd order crossover point of 1000 hz. the reason why I chose 1000 hz is because distortion on the CD seems to rise very fast see attached image and at 1000 hz I figured the woofer wouldn't have a real issue with beaming. I also choice a 2-way so that there would be less error in the crossover.

For the enclosure it would be around 6 cubic feet vented and hope to get at-least around 40hz before my 3db drop off. I also want to design the enclosure around the vintage JBL monitor look.

A few questions I have is is am I being realistic with my expectations of these drivers? I also have a mini dsp I use for my dual 21" subs I could use for this project at least for the woofers don't like the idea of using a dsp on the tweeters. I'm not keeping the subs so why not.

Here's a link the an artical on the CD Test Bench: Eminence N314T-8 with H14EA Horn and N320T-8 with H2EA Horn

 

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

What I want them to look like in a 2-way obviously. Those are JBL 4345

 

[stickinsect]

If you want a massive two way google the Blue Thunder loudspeaker.I don't think the wife would like a pair of those in the living room!

 

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

A beryllium CD! If only I could afford that. That thing looks awesome.

 

[LineSource]

The Faital Pro HF146 compression driver(1.4") and LTH142 Tractrix horn are worth your review, as is the Faital 15PR400 woofer. You will find a few threads with crossovers and positive reviews.

----$660--------Focal T-M (1.4" CD + 15")
FaitalPro 15PR400 $260
FaitalPro HF146 1.4" Neo Compression Driver Plastic dome $250
FaitalPRO LTH142 1.4" 60 x 50 Elliptical Tractrix Horn 4-Bolt. $60
custom BW3 - LR4 crossover ~ $100

 

[globalplayer]

+1 for Faital Pro 15PR400.

 

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

Never heard a Faital Pro tbh. I always have preferred titanium though over plastic although that frequency looks much better may have to expand my horizons.

 

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

The Faital Pro HF146 compression driver(1.4") and LTH142 Tractrix horn are worth your review, as is the Faital 15PR400 woofer. You will find a few threads with crossovers and positive reviews.

----$660--------Focal T-M (1.4" CD + 15")
FaitalPro 15PR400 $260
FaitalPro HF146 1.4" Neo Compression Driver Plastic dome $250
FaitalPRO LTH142 1.4" 60 x 50 Elliptical Tractrix Horn 4-Bolt. $60
custom BW3 - LR4 crossover ~ $100

How low does that woofer go and what sensitivity? That box looks small. Never mind the picture didnt load all the way I see it.

 

[LineSource]

You could build a 3-way (1" CD + 12" midbass + 18" woofer) for the JBL 4345 cabinet using $400 in well reviewed low cost drivers, and ~$160 crossover.

1" DFM-2535R-08 on PRV-WG35-25 = $55
12 ” Eminence Delta Pro 12A $130
18” Peavey LoRider18 $215

 

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

I thought about a 3-way but with a 15" 8" then the CD so I could match the speaker more. I think thats the sizes they used but it just got real expensive for what I wanted. I am also a fan of keeping the crossover frequency away from the 2khz region because of my lack of experience with this making me think a 2 way is safe and less to go wrong. I think the 1khz region would be better for the crossover dip.

 

[LineSource]

How low does that woofer go and what sensitivity? That box looks small.

For 6cuft ported volume tuned to 34Hz the 15PR400 simulates -F3 ~42Hz (i.e. 93db --> 96db).
Placement near walls can boost the low freq bass, and so a modest bass-shelf alignment is sometimes used to tune the port.

 

[ScottG]

Though quite a bit more expensive, this combo will handsomely exceed the Eminence in performance - allowing a crossover around 700 Hz..

18 Sound ND1460A Neodymium High Frequency Driver

18 SOUND XT1464 Horn Flare


PaulW has experience with this combination. Among other qualities - impedance is almost flat to below 700 Hz which should make the resulting crossover much less costly. (..also, distortion is low to 700 Hz.)

Paul used them in this design, but unfortunately the all important images of just how good the result was are missing.. 😱

The Raptor ... a 10" MTM

18Sound | ND1460A

XT1464



-as for the woofer, I'd ask Loudspeakers Plus for a pair of 18 Sound 15W 500's. (..for their very low mms.) (..they don't stock the drivers, but they are a partner with 18 Sound.)

http://www.18sound.it/Products/Articles/Detail/catid/4059/eid/3383/15w500

 

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

For 6cuft ported volume tuned to 34Hz the 15PR400 simulates -F3 ~42Hz (i.e. 93db --> 96db).
Placement near walls can boost the low freq bass, and so a modest bass-shelf alignment is sometimes used to tune the port.

So I got 46hz with the Beyma. Doesn't seem to be that much better except for sensitivity and size of enclosure.am I missing something?

 

[LineSource]

JBL 4345 used 18" woofer + 10" midrange + 1" CD tweeter + 0.725" slot supertweeter.

Modern 3-way (1" CD @1200Hz + 12" midbass @150Hz + 18" woofer)

 

[BobtheBuilderMLG]

Im dumb, haha not sure what I was thinking there. Id be interested in a 18" but I would have to have a 3 way then Im trying to not to exceed 1000$ for everything.

Though quite a bit more expensive, this combo will handsomely exceed the Eminence in performance - allowing a crossover around 700 Hz.. <snip>

much better just wish it was titanium.

also I prefer the drivers to be cast. Dont like the look of stamped.

Id be willing to try plastic out just scared ill waist money on something im not completely satisfied with.

Thanks everyone for the help, I think I'm going to switch my woofer to the FaitalPro seems to be a better overall woofer. I also might look into a 18" driver and just go 3 Way.

 

[ScottG]

much better just wish it was titanium.

..why would you want that?

Titanium has a LOT more distortion near resonance and it only extends about 1500 Hz higher in freq. before break-up.. but can break-up "harder". (..note the differences in break-up between the titanium version and the aluminum version.)

Aluminum also tends to sound better as well. 😉


-btw, that driver in that horn is extremely "flat" up to break-up.


..but, if you want Titanium, here it is:

18 Sound ND1460 Neodymium High Frequency Driver

18Sound | ND1460

 

[globalplayer]

Thanks everyone for the help, I think I'm going to switch my woofer to the FaitalPro seems to be a better overall woofer.

Yes, it is.

 

[gabdx]

Just one thing to think about before you go. 15 inches only if you need high sensitivity, like 95Db ,

Musical wise, 12, 10 inches sound better and get as low, however with 88-91 sensitivity.

15inches = 5 watt, rusty old console amps. Or PA for rock concerts.

 

[LineSource]

For $500 you can purchase the drivers and medium-grade crossover parts for a 18x12x1 3-way. Modern controlled directivity horns benefit more from putting the tweeter horn at ear level than older diffraction lens or multi-segment horns. Cabinets which fit a 60"x60" sheet of baltic birch ply, or 48"x96" sheet of cabinet ply can keep you in budget, 2-sheets/cabinet. Taper the rear sealed volume in back of the midrange to reduce resonances with modest stuffing. Shallow 1" waveguides can provide close time alignment with a 12" midbass.

1" DFM-2535R-08 on PRV-WG35-25 = $55
12 ” Eminence Delta Pro 12A $130
18” Peavey LoRider18 $215

 

[globalplayer]

Just one thing to think about before you go. 15 inches only if you need high sensitivity, like 95Db ,

Musical wise, 12, 10 inches sound better and get as low, however with 88-91 sensitivity.

I also prefer 12 inch (max.).
95db sens should be no problem for a good pa 12 inch.
Around 90db for a good (car)/home hifi 12 inch.

You can always add a few more for spl.