Back to the task at hand…
I would like to get some thoughts on possible midrange drivers and tweeters.
For now, we will assume the cabinet is 11” W x 8.5” D x 23” H (279mm x 216mm x 584mm). We will assume that the bass driver is the Dayton RS225-8. We will assume that the budget remaining for the midrange and tweeter is $150/side.
My first thought for a mid driver is the SB12MNRX2-25-04 4″ SB12MNRX2-25-4 / Norex - Sbacoustics ($61). Other possible options are SEAS Prestige MCA12RC (H1304) ($92) and ScanSpeak Discovery 15M/4624G ($94). These two options are priced high enough that they start to squeeze the tweeter budget. Of course if I had a higher budget I would look into the ScanSpeak 10F or the Satori MR13P, but those are too pricey.
Another obvious choice is the SB15CAC30 or SB15NBAC30. I have used this driver before and was very pleased with it. But I would like to get some experience with other drivers, so I would lean away from this driver unless it was overwhelmingly the best choice for the price.
So I am looking for options in the $50 - $90 price range. All thoughts are welcome.
j.
I would like to get some thoughts on possible midrange drivers and tweeters.
For now, we will assume the cabinet is 11” W x 8.5” D x 23” H (279mm x 216mm x 584mm). We will assume that the bass driver is the Dayton RS225-8. We will assume that the budget remaining for the midrange and tweeter is $150/side.
My first thought for a mid driver is the SB12MNRX2-25-04 4″ SB12MNRX2-25-4 / Norex - Sbacoustics ($61). Other possible options are SEAS Prestige MCA12RC (H1304) ($92) and ScanSpeak Discovery 15M/4624G ($94). These two options are priced high enough that they start to squeeze the tweeter budget. Of course if I had a higher budget I would look into the ScanSpeak 10F or the Satori MR13P, but those are too pricey.
Another obvious choice is the SB15CAC30 or SB15NBAC30. I have used this driver before and was very pleased with it. But I would like to get some experience with other drivers, so I would lean away from this driver unless it was overwhelmingly the best choice for the price.
So I am looking for options in the $50 - $90 price range. All thoughts are welcome.
j.
On to tweeters…
I have done some simulations with both flat faced tweeters and waveguide tweeters. Both styles can meet my design goals. If I use a flat faced tweeter, I will need to apply more profiling and deeper beveling around the tweeter to meet my directivity goals. A waveguide would probably require a shallower easier-to-construct beveled/radiused edge.
If I choose to use a waveguide on the tweeter, that cost will be included in the driver budget.
My initial thought is an SB26STAC soft dome ($49) in an @augerpro waveguide. My understanding is that a PLA printed waveguide will cost about $20, but I have not gotten a quote and I may be wrong on the price. I would like some thoughts and guidance on which waveguide to select. For now we can assume the baffle is about 11” wide, the crossover will be about 2.5k, and the mid will have an Sd of 50 – 70 cm^2.
So I would appreciate suggestions on tweeters, both with and without waveguides, in the $30 - $80 range.
Thanks…… j.
I have done some simulations with both flat faced tweeters and waveguide tweeters. Both styles can meet my design goals. If I use a flat faced tweeter, I will need to apply more profiling and deeper beveling around the tweeter to meet my directivity goals. A waveguide would probably require a shallower easier-to-construct beveled/radiused edge.
If I choose to use a waveguide on the tweeter, that cost will be included in the driver budget.
My initial thought is an SB26STAC soft dome ($49) in an @augerpro waveguide. My understanding is that a PLA printed waveguide will cost about $20, but I have not gotten a quote and I may be wrong on the price. I would like some thoughts and guidance on which waveguide to select. For now we can assume the baffle is about 11” wide, the crossover will be about 2.5k, and the mid will have an Sd of 50 – 70 cm^2.
So I would appreciate suggestions on tweeters, both with and without waveguides, in the $30 - $80 range.
Thanks…… j.
I absolutely recommend SB12MNRX2-25-04, I used it in a similarly sized three way with an 8 inch SB ceramic. It is a true mid compared to the 4 or 5 inch SB ceramic which are mid-woofer.
I can't speak for @mtidge , but to me the "true midrange" has a shorter voice coil than the equivalent midwoofer. The shorter coil results in higher efficiency but lower Xmax. The spider and surround might be chosen for their upper frequency behavior rather than the low frequency behavior. So I know what he meant (I think) 🙂
But anyway, in my experience either a 4 inch or 5 inch can perform very well as a midrange.
Often a 5 inch can play a lot louder compared to most 4 inch woofer.
So if you're someone who like to turn it up, that is something to keep in mind.
Also distortion of most 5 inch woofers is a litter lower, especially on the low-end (100-300Hz).
Its directivity is a little stronger, so it will sound slightly different in some cases.
Often a 5 inch can play a lot louder compared to most 4 inch woofer.
So if you're someone who like to turn it up, that is something to keep in mind.
Also distortion of most 5 inch woofers is a litter lower, especially on the low-end (100-300Hz).
Its directivity is a little stronger, so it will sound slightly different in some cases.
@wolf_teeth
It's not that critical since the mid/tweeter channel will have their own amp... I can set the gain to match the woofer. I suppose it would be a problem if the 4-pi mid was more sensitive than the 2-pi tweeter, but that would be unusual...
It's not that critical since the mid/tweeter channel will have their own amp... I can set the gain to match the woofer. I suppose it would be a problem if the 4-pi mid was more sensitive than the 2-pi tweeter, but that would be unusual...
Agree... I used a Satori MW16TX-4 (a woofer) as a midrange, and I think it has some of the best measured and subjective performance I have heard...
I am actually curious about that one.
Even has copper demodulation ring, for 15 bucks!
I wish they had it in more traditional kevlar/yellow glassfiber.
(I am still looking for a 4 inch myself with that color combination)
I also would not discount the Lavoce or Faital offerings, as they are touted highly by those that have used them. The Lavoce FSN041.00 looks really nice for example, and the specs show good thought processes.
If you want a driver I've loved a lot, the TB W4-1052 sounds great! Light thin and reinforced polymer cone.
The Dayton RS125P4 would also be valid if you didn't mind jumping on the RS bandwagon.
And yes, the PC105-4 and the PC83-4 have copper caps and sound great. I used the 83 in the OSFA and Purveyor, and 105 in BarGain.
If you want a driver I've loved a lot, the TB W4-1052 sounds great! Light thin and reinforced polymer cone.
The Dayton RS125P4 would also be valid if you didn't mind jumping on the RS bandwagon.
And yes, the PC105-4 and the PC83-4 have copper caps and sound great. I used the 83 in the OSFA and Purveyor, and 105 in BarGain.
Oh, and I've not seen a 4" yellow GF/KEVLAR mid in some time now. They used to be more common.
MCM had a 5" $7 woofer waaaay back but looked more of a light green hue.
Digging, looks like AliXpress is your best bet, and I've only seen it in 3" drivers.
MCM had a 5" $7 woofer waaaay back but looked more of a light green hue.
Digging, looks like AliXpress is your best bet, and I've only seen it in 3" drivers.
Monacor SPH-102KEP, perhaps?
Not cheap and a bit old fashioned, though.
Sorry for off-topic!
Yeah I know that one, here is the distortion plot at 90dB.
Makes me sad, for JUST the looks? 🙁
Plus the current version seems to look a lot more yellow than orange;
Group of 4 inch driver performance evaluation: an IMD perspective | diyAudio:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...ormance-evaluation-an-imd-perspective.389247/
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...ormance-evaluation-an-imd-perspective.389247/
Since you're using a RS225-8, are willing to mix and match, and presumably want high value: Zaph ZA14. Sounds as good as Scanspeak Discovery but better behaved. And opens up tweeter options.
Regarding the SB26STAC, it looks alrightish in my waveguide, but I'd really like to try it on my hybrid contour that works better with soft domes. I have not designed that yet though.
Regarding the SB26STAC, it looks alrightish in my waveguide, but I'd really like to try it on my hybrid contour that works better with soft domes. I have not designed that yet though.
PC105 and ZA14 are good choices for midwoofers/full ranges that can be used a midranges.
If you want “true” midrange ie. higher sensitivity, Fs > 100Hz, here is a 4”
Faital 4FE42
https://faitalpro.com/en/products/LF_Loudspeakers/product_details/index.php?id=401005105
I can count one hand how many in their published catalogue that has a copper cap.
No experience, but incoming…
I can also recommend 5” and 6” but not under $50
If you want “true” midrange ie. higher sensitivity, Fs > 100Hz, here is a 4”
Faital 4FE42
https://faitalpro.com/en/products/LF_Loudspeakers/product_details/index.php?id=401005105
I can count one hand how many in their published catalogue that has a copper cap.
No experience, but incoming…
I can also recommend 5” and 6” but not under $50
