Let's say you have a DSP active crossover and a 2-way speaker system that includes Vifa P17 woofers. While I like them a lot, I was wondering which 6.5" driver would be a good upgrade from it?
for instance, how do the Peerless HDS, Dayton RS, or further up, the ScanSpeak drivers compare? What do I gain in fidelity by doing to those drivers? Would I be able to hear further into the recording?
IIRC, the P17 is renowned for its smooth response and lack of cone breakup at the top end, making it easier to effect a successful design (otherwise stated, DIY designs have a higher likelihood of success with such a driver). Drivers claiming better performance often had stiffer cones made of more advanced composite materials (or metal), but which had considerable breakup behaviour. I believe that the advantage of DSP is the ease with which one can suppress the breakup region when using the latter. Also, not forgetting the EQ and time delays that enable one to get a step closer to ideal outcomes.
Just be careful to not apply too much correction, as over-compensation can be worse than none at all.
Just be careful to not apply too much correction, as over-compensation can be worse than none at all.
Well let's start by making the basic assumption that where-ever you cross a 6" driver, cone breakup is well-suppressed. This may need to be anywhere from 24db to 40db below the primary sound.
Now, given that criteria, good drivers give you more resolution, especially at higher SPLs where poly simply gets "mushy", but also at lower resolutions. Think of it as less self-noise from the driver, and more of the signal coming through.
I guess a question is in order here (just to clarify). Are you planning on building a new speaker from scratch with the new drivers, or are you looking to replace the current P17's in the existing speaker?
Note I don't know the drivers so can't offer advice as to what is an upgrade, but I think your intentions will make a difference as to what advice people give 🙂
Tony.
Note I don't know the drivers so can't offer advice as to what is an upgrade, but I think your intentions will make a difference as to what advice people give 🙂
Tony.
I have noticed that the P17 in my speaker does get "mushy" as I push it harder. It would be great to keep the quality of sound it has at medium volumes when I add more watts.
i'm using it with a Seas 25TAC/GW
http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/h0417_25tacgw.pdf
I'm open to both replacing the tweeter as well as keeping it and just changing the P17
Vifa's Xmax of 4 mm is not a lot of freedom for undistorted
reproduction. I suggest using a driver with a greater Xmax value
and proper TS parameters for the allignment wanted. Box volume
adjustment might be necessary.
Scan Speak 18WU8741T00 looks interesting and modern.
A fancy 2 way or a 3 way with good value drivers, the latter
would be a winner.
ok so same box, as lojzek says box volume may need to be adjusted, and if vented, tuning will almost certainly need to be adjusted. Crossover will also need to be adjusted 🙂
Basically not as simple as dropping in the new driver.
Tony.
Basically not as simple as dropping in the new driver.
Tony.
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