Loudspeaker Datasheets - Why are they so Bad?

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#42
mdocod said:
My experience has probably been a bit more sheltered but as a result better overall. While I have not built a large number of speaker systems in my short years, I can say, that pretty much all of my business has been with partsexpress over those years. ...
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Nice to find some frd/zma's from them I used in the past. Nice if their database grows to be safer to buy meaning more business from better info.
 
#43
TheShaman said:
Perhaps that's the reason they offer more details for those.

Btw, they used to make PA speakers, don't know if they do anymore.

The measurements of their midrange at Zaph, for one thing, shows they have nothing they'd want to hide. 😉
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And they give exactly the same details for their studio drive units on their site.

So if you are happy with the PA unit data what is the problem with the studio driver details?
 
#44
The numbers i get with a typical amatuer kit are broadlu similar to Zaph's, but i almost always start with the factory numbers, which, usually taken with 1 of the 2 standard T/S tools give numbers that i feel are more realistic to the levels typically used when listening. I also design boxes to be tolerant of changing parameters as the wick is turned up.

dave
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^2

I'm fighting with the "super accurate" WT3 right now. It's ok for quick and dirty measurements. But the little device is quite capable of giving you numbers that are so far off base that it is incredible.

The numbers are off by quite a bit. When you really need accurate numbers it pays to check things with a few different means. And the greater the number of drivers available the better the true overall averaged parameters.

Plus or minus 10% for most of the parameters does not make the difference of a hill of beans by the way. Good old voltage dividers and constant current setups are hard to argue with. A simple voltage reading and you do the math. A cheap radioshack DB meter and your setup as good as you have to be for most situations.

When you have to go fancy you use a calibrated mic and the proper software. ARTA is my current favorite.
 
#45
Charles Darwin said:
And they give exactly the same details for their studio drive units on their site.

So if you are happy with the PA unit data what is the problem with the studio driver details?
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I'm happy with both - as I'm happy with my ATC SCM40s. 😀
Just trying to explain the "mentality" of the specific company. That mentality includes a no-nonsense approach that is extremely rare in this industry and for that I respect them a lot.

Still, you cannot put them in the same category as driver manufacturers like Peerless, Vifa, SEAS etc.
They're a ProAudio/HiFi loudspeaker manufacturer with the know-how to produce their own drivers (and they happen to be very good at it).

Perhaps you've noticed the lack of data for the midrange drivers they use on their own loudspeakers (SM75-150, SM75-150S)..
Good luck trying to buy the "Studio" version of that midrange, for example.
 
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#47
I think people try to get hold of these PA speakers at bargain prices and use them to make ATC clones.

Speaking of ATC clones, Wilmslow make some really good ones.
This is a pair of ATC 100 clones a friend recently made. Cabinets and drivers are from Wilmslow, amps and crossovers are original ATC, bought used but in mint condition from the Swap Meet.

Btw, ATC's midrange is the only driver I've heard that can comes so close to the midrange performance of Quad 2905s.
I can only imagine how bigger active models like 200s or 300s will sound...
 
#50
Charles Darwin said:
The list price I've seen for PA65s was US$9 400 each or 18 800per pair and a pair of SCM100ASLPros is listed for US$16 500 on the same site.

Not much scope for cheap clones me thinks.;-)
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I'm certain I've read about using older, second hand PAs from ATC.
Maybe it was link a friend of mine had sent me when he was researching for his own clones - perhaps this thread - not sure, it's been a while. 🙂
 
#51
I think Britannia Row (Pink Floyd), Court Acoustics and Martin Audio have used or still use ATC drivers in their PA systems. There might be others. Court Acoustics also used Tannoy DualConcentrics for awhile.
They come up on ebay uk every now and then.
 
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