Hi,
I've built my own electrostatic loudspeaker. It measures 40x100 cm outer dimensions. The diaphragm measures 19x100 cm. I used simple electrical segmentation and a "full range" transformer. I'm quiete happy with these panels but they lack some slam / lower extension so I would like to add a (mid)woofer.
I already made one attempt one year ago by building a transmission-line subwoofer using a Tangband w8q-1071 (W8Q-1071F - 8x12" Paper Subwoofer - TB SPEAKER CO., LTD.) but I'm not very satisfied with the addition. When comparing my ESL in full-range mode to hybrid mode using the TL woofer it seems the TL woofer is adding "messiness": it just doesn't sound tight. I'm not sure if thats because of a desing error or not.
For my ears it doensn't extend that much LF compared to my ESL that has boosted LF by the MiniDSP. I have to cross-over below 200 Hz as the output of the Tangband declines above 200 Hz and I would like to test with higher cross-over frequencies. (200 - 400 Hz) to unload the amplifier. So I'm looking for a mid-woofer, like a 6,5 inch one.
This time I prefer a sealed box as this seems the most simple and forgiving option to prevent any design / implementation errors that could have been the cause of my not so well sounding TL woofers. I know OB would be a better match with the stats but they will take much space. I've read at the Linkwitz website that sealed woofers create more accurate bass compared than vented woofers. I know this might be debatable but I just searched for a suitable driver for a sealed box and found only two drivers in the price category of 100 - 200 euro's: Scanspeak 18W/8535-00 and Peerless HDS-205 Aluminium.
http://loudspeakerfreaks.com/datasheets/peerless/835026.pdf
http://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/archive/18w-8535-00.pdf
I'm wondering if these would be a good option for this application? I'm aware of the possible problems of matching the woofer with the electrostatic panels as radiation patterns differ.
I own a MiniDSP 2x4 HD dsp which I'm using for equalizing of my electrostatic panels and I would like to use this for filtering the woofer as well.
I made a simulation with the ScanSpeak 18W 8535 00 driver in a sealed box using WinISD:
Box volume: 29 liters
F -3dB: 51 Hz
Fsc: 26 Hz
Qtc: 0.703
And here are REW measurements of my ESL panel:
(measured in room at listening position, about 2,5 meters away from panels, using a MiniDSP 2x4HD active filter for frequency response correction)
I've built my own electrostatic loudspeaker. It measures 40x100 cm outer dimensions. The diaphragm measures 19x100 cm. I used simple electrical segmentation and a "full range" transformer. I'm quiete happy with these panels but they lack some slam / lower extension so I would like to add a (mid)woofer.
I already made one attempt one year ago by building a transmission-line subwoofer using a Tangband w8q-1071 (W8Q-1071F - 8x12" Paper Subwoofer - TB SPEAKER CO., LTD.) but I'm not very satisfied with the addition. When comparing my ESL in full-range mode to hybrid mode using the TL woofer it seems the TL woofer is adding "messiness": it just doesn't sound tight. I'm not sure if thats because of a desing error or not.
For my ears it doensn't extend that much LF compared to my ESL that has boosted LF by the MiniDSP. I have to cross-over below 200 Hz as the output of the Tangband declines above 200 Hz and I would like to test with higher cross-over frequencies. (200 - 400 Hz) to unload the amplifier. So I'm looking for a mid-woofer, like a 6,5 inch one.
This time I prefer a sealed box as this seems the most simple and forgiving option to prevent any design / implementation errors that could have been the cause of my not so well sounding TL woofers. I know OB would be a better match with the stats but they will take much space. I've read at the Linkwitz website that sealed woofers create more accurate bass compared than vented woofers. I know this might be debatable but I just searched for a suitable driver for a sealed box and found only two drivers in the price category of 100 - 200 euro's: Scanspeak 18W/8535-00 and Peerless HDS-205 Aluminium.
http://loudspeakerfreaks.com/datasheets/peerless/835026.pdf
http://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/archive/18w-8535-00.pdf
I'm wondering if these would be a good option for this application? I'm aware of the possible problems of matching the woofer with the electrostatic panels as radiation patterns differ.
I own a MiniDSP 2x4 HD dsp which I'm using for equalizing of my electrostatic panels and I would like to use this for filtering the woofer as well.
I made a simulation with the ScanSpeak 18W 8535 00 driver in a sealed box using WinISD:
Box volume: 29 liters
F -3dB: 51 Hz
Fsc: 26 Hz
Qtc: 0.703

And here are REW measurements of my ESL panel:
(measured in room at listening position, about 2,5 meters away from panels, using a MiniDSP 2x4HD active filter for frequency response correction)

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

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