After recently evaluating the AN 10 ferrite (with whizzer), I am now interested in evaluating the AN 15 big daddy driver.
I was frankly stunned at how good the AN driver sounded, especially given the online bashing that this brand receives.
Has anyone heard both the Alnico and ferrite versions of the 15? A this point, I am rather skeptical of the 2X price difference and value. Planning to implement the 15 in an open baffle design.
TIA
I was frankly stunned at how good the AN driver sounded, especially given the online bashing that this brand receives.
Has anyone heard both the Alnico and ferrite versions of the 15? A this point, I am rather skeptical of the 2X price difference and value. Planning to implement the 15 in an open baffle design.
TIA
A guy called Tubo from Chicago has one of these for sale here Audio nirvana super 15 alnico for sale in the 'Swap Meet' section a few pages back (still available a week ago on Feb 17) - perhaps you could talk to him directly
Ferrite mags produce a sharper edged Bass note.
Alnicos are slightly softer sounding.
Musicians prefer the alnico sounds.
That said;
Ferrites degrade with age Measurably so by their 10th b'day.
Not too surprising, given that it's the cheapest magnetic medium known to man.
Alnico is projected as Flux stable for 2000 years.
There is Also the v real issue of How in hell can a whizzer cone on a 15" Driver cone even approximate
a mediocre tweeter, let alone a compression one ?
Boggles the imagination .. that does.
You pay your money and takes your chances.. as always.
Alnicos are slightly softer sounding.
Musicians prefer the alnico sounds.
That said;
Ferrites degrade with age Measurably so by their 10th b'day.
Not too surprising, given that it's the cheapest magnetic medium known to man.
Alnico is projected as Flux stable for 2000 years.
There is Also the v real issue of How in hell can a whizzer cone on a 15" Driver cone even approximate
a mediocre tweeter, let alone a compression one ?
Boggles the imagination .. that does.
You pay your money and takes your chances.. as always.
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Hi guys,
James thanks for pointing out the for sale thread for my super 15 alnico.
I have both the classic 15 and super 15 alnico. I have not heard ferrite versions. I have them setup in open baffle running fullrange with no filters. I use Hawthorne audio auggie drivers for bass driven by a plate amp and crossed around 50 to 60hz.
Bass on the audio nirvanas 15 is sufficient to around 50 to 60hz on open baffle on a 22" baffle. I have no measurememts to confirm this but listening to them without the bass drivers is satisfying on the bass. They are articulate and tuneful.
Now, comparing the classic to the super 15. The classic is a little more sweeter on the mid but beams on the high frequency which narrows the sweet spot. The super 15 has a wider sweet spot. With bass, they both sounded the same to me.
Hope this helps.
I have the super 15 alnico for sale if anyone is interesred.
Tubo
James thanks for pointing out the for sale thread for my super 15 alnico.
I have both the classic 15 and super 15 alnico. I have not heard ferrite versions. I have them setup in open baffle running fullrange with no filters. I use Hawthorne audio auggie drivers for bass driven by a plate amp and crossed around 50 to 60hz.
Bass on the audio nirvanas 15 is sufficient to around 50 to 60hz on open baffle on a 22" baffle. I have no measurememts to confirm this but listening to them without the bass drivers is satisfying on the bass. They are articulate and tuneful.
Now, comparing the classic to the super 15. The classic is a little more sweeter on the mid but beams on the high frequency which narrows the sweet spot. The super 15 has a wider sweet spot. With bass, they both sounded the same to me.
Hope this helps.
I have the super 15 alnico for sale if anyone is interesred.
Tubo
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Joined 2009
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I second what Bigun said (in pictures) above. I'm pretty sure you got that backwards. All else being equal, Alnico is much more likely to degrade over time than ferrite.
Thanks for the replies.
Interesting Tubo, that you are choosing to keep the classics and sell the Supers. I am a little sensitive to beaming so I think a 15 NEEDS a whizzer.
Interesting Tubo, that you are choosing to keep the classics and sell the Supers. I am a little sensitive to beaming so I think a 15 NEEDS a whizzer.
If it's the same cone and dust cap, then the beaming will be the same for both versions. A whizzer would make sense in any case such a large cone.
The Alnico version will compress a bit on signal peaks.
BTW the main reason Alnico costs so much more, is the international market price for Cobalt. Cobalt is only mined in Congo, and is in high demand for radio-medical uses, which has pushed the price up to crazy high levels.
Sent from my phone with Tapatalk. Please excuse any typpos.
The Alnico version will compress a bit on signal peaks.
BTW the main reason Alnico costs so much more, is the international market price for Cobalt. Cobalt is only mined in Congo, and is in high demand for radio-medical uses, which has pushed the price up to crazy high levels.
Sent from my phone with Tapatalk. Please excuse any typpos.
Member
Joined 2009
Paid Member
I can say that I've heard the Super 15 with the whizzer and I do find that the treble dispersion is very good indeed. It's a superb sounding driver. There is a little 'hotness' right on axis and I mean right-on so it's never been an issue. I bought the ferrite version as I didn't want to pay for an exotic magnet. I did ask the guy who makes them and he said the Alnico added 5% to the sound quality - I've never heard the Alnico.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/217893-bigun-audio-nirvana-super-15-a.html
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/217893-bigun-audio-nirvana-super-15-a.html
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Joined 2009
Paid Member
Oh my, that's a shame. I hope the AlNiCo version is being maintained as I believe the whizz erred 15" is their best driver.
a pair of hefty 15cx on sale would be $200 - whether those would satisfy = ?David Dicks used to sell them at ~$270 each and suggested a single capacitor on the BMD440 part for the crossover.
Hi,
I strongly suggest dont use the AN 15 as woofer in OB, its a FR not a woofer and has limited power handlig, instead use the wonderful Tone Tubby Super Man Neodymium Bass 15"
This beauty has NEO magnet and the great sound Hemp Cone, a very musical woofer.
If QTS under 0.8 use in Bass Reflex and you will get plenty of bass with just a small amp.
Super Man Neodymium Bass Tone Tubby Hempcone Speakers | Online Store
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