4 inch Midranges - Price Performance ?

[eriksquires]

Thinking about finally diving into a 3-way with a 4" midrange, probably an MTW design, with the midrange at ear level.

I love my Scanspeak 6.5" but would rather spend Discovery prices.

I'm wondering if you kind folks have any experience in cost saving and performance of the current crop from SB, SS, etc?

I'm not worried about application just yet. 🙂 But for instance, the SS Discovery midrange has a very nice response, making it very adaptable.

This would be for a traditional, not high efficiency tower.

Best,

E

 

[eriksquires]

There are also a few Peerless 4" woofers that could do midrange duty quite nicely, like the 830992. The problem is sensitivity and power limits.

 

[Pano]

Don't know if it's in the budget, but I've heard the Faital Pro 3" in a sealed box and it was amazing. The 4" may be even better.

 

[eriksquires]

I'm still planning. Budget may change as income does. 🙂

Looked at the 5FE120 , really nice response, and very useful sensitivity / power handling. At $40 it's about the same as the Peerless I was thinking about, with much better power handling.

 

[Bill poster]

The Salk Song 3 uses a 4" TB I believe. It gets great reviews.

 

[Pano]

Yep, there are some surprising drivers out there. It was the FaitalPRO 3FE22 3 inch neo that I heard alone in a sealed box. We were all amazed. Yes, a sub woofer <100Hz helps fill it out, but it does a good job all by itself.

 

[eriksquires]

Thanks Pano! I'm looking for a true midrange. Somethign that can easily cover 2-4kHz at least so I can use a small tweeter.

Best,

E

 

[eriksquires]

Ritght now the 5" FaitalPROs are looking pretty sweet honestly! 🙂 Lots of output, power handling, and off axis extension out to 3-4kHz.

 

[eriksquires]

Sorry Pano, I'm half asleep and that sounded rude. 🙂 I meant to say, I am not too interested in deep bass from this, so it is OK with me if it cuts off early.

I'm thinking of using a two-channel IcePower plate amp with built in DSP right now, one for bass, one for mid/tweet. Passive crossover between mid and tweet. Solves a lot of issues.

 

[Charles Darwin]

I like that 5FE120.

Used it in some little speakers for my daughter to take to uni and I prefer it to the 5" Audax aerogel based speakers made by Rogers I gave my other daughter for the same purpose.
Also I'd happily pay an extra £10 for them if they'd give them a cast frame!

 

[eriksquires]

Bill,

Thanks! 🙂

Erik

 

[eriksquires]

Looks like Salk has upgraded their midrange on that model. 🙂

 

[Hemisphere]

One other possibility to consider the Tangband W4-1337SDF

Tang Band W4-1337SDF 4" Titanium Full Range Speaker | eBay

Lots of discussion available about this driver in the forums and it's a component in several reference/high end hifi designs.

 

[onthedole74]

SS 10F/8414G10 sounds nice, its easy on the crossover and cheaper than 10F/8424

 

[eriksquires]

Ho onthedole! Good looking FR, but very low sensitivity (86 dB) and power handling (10-20 W) really have me scratching my head.

 

[Bill poster]

Looks like Salk has upgraded their midrange on that model. 🙂

2 versions I believe

 

[tuxedocivic]

Hmm, making me want to get a pair of faital pro mids to try 🙂

 

[eriksquires]

I have to say, coming from the ScanSpeak world, the FaitalPRO prices are really quite reasonable, ESPECIALLY given sensitivity, power handling and response.

 

[eriksquires]

I am also a little surprised we haven't had a lot of SB fans jumping in here. 🙂

 

[Mario Pankov]

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-4-midrange/audax-hm100z0-4-aerogel-midrange/

Probably hard for any 4" to beat it price/performance wise.