Hello all. This isn't the easiest topic to search for but I have searched and I haven't found any threads specifically dealing with this topic, so please point me in the right direction if it's been covered before...
I've been working on my own three way design (my first project) with a general idea about how it's going to be and trying to find info to help with choosing which drivers to go with, with low distortion and ability to convey low level detail a top priority in deciding. I used to think I was going to go with an Accuton/Thiel tweeter and mid driver but after reading the thread "Best midrange for intelligibility of voice" and what Dan Wiggins said (pgs 3-6) about excursion exciting the resonances of stiff cones, I'm rethinking things. I used to think low enough or steep enough lowpass filters would make stiff cones work, like how Joseph Audio does it with their 120db crossover (an extreme case). I see now that isn't the case.
My listening experience is limited, but I've read many, many times in forums and reviews how polypropylene [polymer] cones just don't have as much low level resolution that stiff cones do (speaking mostly of bass/mid woofers). I'm just wondering if this is true all the time or just part of the time and is dependant on motor or cabinet/box design, driver construction quality, etc. I'm speaking of the better and mostly more expensive drivers: for stiff cones I'm thinking of Accuton, Eton, and Seas Excel metal drivers, and for poly cones I'm thinking of Morel, Skaaning/Audio Technology, the Adire Extremis, and Dynaudio (which I'd like to include in this discussion). There are others I know, so feel free to talk about them, but I was mostly looking at these. I'd also ruled out paper cone drivers for the midrange because of other things I've read about them (right or wrong). I know the pro's of poly drivers and have thought the lack of detail was it's main con, but now I'm not so sure. I think I can live with the cons of stiff/metal cones if they have more detail, but I don't really know that for sure and was hoping for some answers.
So, the question is: Given high quality drivers, are stiff (metal, ceramic, carbon) cone drivers better able to resolve detail than poly cones? Why or why not?
Thanks.
Ben.
I've been working on my own three way design (my first project) with a general idea about how it's going to be and trying to find info to help with choosing which drivers to go with, with low distortion and ability to convey low level detail a top priority in deciding. I used to think I was going to go with an Accuton/Thiel tweeter and mid driver but after reading the thread "Best midrange for intelligibility of voice" and what Dan Wiggins said (pgs 3-6) about excursion exciting the resonances of stiff cones, I'm rethinking things. I used to think low enough or steep enough lowpass filters would make stiff cones work, like how Joseph Audio does it with their 120db crossover (an extreme case). I see now that isn't the case.
My listening experience is limited, but I've read many, many times in forums and reviews how polypropylene [polymer] cones just don't have as much low level resolution that stiff cones do (speaking mostly of bass/mid woofers). I'm just wondering if this is true all the time or just part of the time and is dependant on motor or cabinet/box design, driver construction quality, etc. I'm speaking of the better and mostly more expensive drivers: for stiff cones I'm thinking of Accuton, Eton, and Seas Excel metal drivers, and for poly cones I'm thinking of Morel, Skaaning/Audio Technology, the Adire Extremis, and Dynaudio (which I'd like to include in this discussion). There are others I know, so feel free to talk about them, but I was mostly looking at these. I'd also ruled out paper cone drivers for the midrange because of other things I've read about them (right or wrong). I know the pro's of poly drivers and have thought the lack of detail was it's main con, but now I'm not so sure. I think I can live with the cons of stiff/metal cones if they have more detail, but I don't really know that for sure and was hoping for some answers.
So, the question is: Given high quality drivers, are stiff (metal, ceramic, carbon) cone drivers better able to resolve detail than poly cones? Why or why not?
Thanks.
Ben.