Ok, so I just saw the MA200M driver and these two builds:
https://www.markaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MA-Otterburn.png
https://www.markaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MA-Thetford.png
Could this simply be done without the single driver up top and just run the MA200Ms in parallel, one of them fullrange and maybe a lowpass filter on the other?
https://www.markaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MA-Otterburn.png
https://www.markaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MA-Thetford.png
Could this simply be done without the single driver up top and just run the MA200Ms in parallel, one of them fullrange and maybe a lowpass filter on the other?
Maybe a woofer assisted widerange as shown in the links below will help.
Completed a design and build with SB Acoustics SB23MFCL45 and Markaudio CHN-50 as I wanted to do a WAW for some time now. Main goal is to push the limits in drivers, a (sub)woofer combined with a small FR driver for mids and highs.
Design considerations:
Design considerations:
- Separate cabinets for bass and midtweet to allow easier experimentation with different midtweet drivers. Additional benefit that it might prevent some colouration of the mid by bass frequencies.
- Closed cabinet for woofer. It doesn't have to go very low (e.g. <30hz is less of a concern for me)...
Partly for overall power-handling and partly so they're dedicated to their own roles -by partitioning the upper unit off into its own sealed box there's less potential interference from the second unit, which is a consideration when it's being run wide open, without filtering.
Thanks, Scott.
Final one: is it "allowed" to begin with just the bottom cabinet and one driver going fullrange? Then if needed add the top cabinet with another driver in parallel...?
Final one: is it "allowed" to begin with just the bottom cabinet and one driver going fullrange? Then if needed add the top cabinet with another driver in parallel...?
Isn't the high-frequency dispersion limited in large-diameter full-range drivers (such as the Fostex FF165, FF225, etc.)?
If so, wouldn't using drivers dedicated to reproducing bass along with a smaller (3-5") diameter full-range be a nicer idea?
These designs are all specifically created as large form-factor speakers for people who want large form-factor types. I've done plenty of others, for people who want those and I'll continue to do so. But these were not intended for that role: they were created for people who want bigger speakers / speakers with larger drivers for xyz reason.
As an analogy, it's a bit like saying: 'you've got a Land Rover Discovery. Wouldn't a Banks-Lotus Europa be nicer?' Well -maybe. If you want arguably the best-handling sportscar ever built, sure. But what if you want to drive over a field to collect a shire-horse, then tow it, in attached box, from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands? Different story. Everybody has different requirements, & I try to cover a reasonable number of bases.
As an analogy, it's a bit like saying: 'you've got a Land Rover Discovery. Wouldn't a Banks-Lotus Europa be nicer?' Well -maybe. If you want arguably the best-handling sportscar ever built, sure. But what if you want to drive over a field to collect a shire-horse, then tow it, in attached box, from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands? Different story. Everybody has different requirements, & I try to cover a reasonable number of bases.
Navin,
Greetings!
Excellent points, but looks like the larger wide-band driver as a mid-tweet has been chosen for this design for:
Scott probably can share some more reasons. 🙂
P.s. he has already replied before me...
Greetings!
Excellent points, but looks like the larger wide-band driver as a mid-tweet has been chosen for this design for:
- Greater dynamic range and ability to play louder in bigger spaces
- Greater sensitivity
Scott probably can share some more reasons. 🙂
P.s. he has already replied before me...
The baffle step would be filled in nicely with the 2 big woofers, so the speakers could be positioned further away from walls, or outside. With 8” + 3" it'll sound a bit thinner with less warmth in the midbass.
I'll offer a couple of non-specific observations here, since the 'reason' is already given above: they're designed for people who want larger format MA speakers / drivers. Everything is a compromise and they all have their own balances of advantages and disadvantages -people pick what they want according to their needs. That said:
- Larger wideband drive units don't necessarily have polars that start narrowing at a lower frequency than smaller units. It's likely, but it's not a given. Especially with drivers that have direct-bonded caps that act as mechanical coaxial units, the profile of the cap, main cone and surround are also critical, not just the bald diameter
- Conversly, some people do want a narrowing directivity pattern. Different strokes for different folks & all that.
More beaming is less reflections in a very live room. I have concrete walls, floors and ceilings and minimalist interior decoration. I tried short line arrays for midrange and treble, tractrix horns and large fullrange drivers. It works, but without very detailed off axis frequency response measurements, it's hard to know where beaming starts and if the response will achieve the desired effect.
Everything is a compromise.
I tend to prefer small drves up top in A WAW. Butif you loike to crank it a larger driver may be called for.
The reaon why our A12pw set cam with midtweeter bboxes for 3 to 6” drivers.
Note: Extreme top on the Markaudios is the dust capwhich i much like a 3 forths to 1” dome.
dave
I tend to prefer small drves up top in A WAW. Butif you loike to crank it a larger driver may be called for.
The reaon why our A12pw set cam with midtweeter bboxes for 3 to 6” drivers.
Note: Extreme top on the Markaudios is the dust capwhich i much like a 3 forths to 1” dome.
dave
Every single update is very interesting. Especially in the top of the line. Not that their best have been bad. On the contrary. But if they can surpass the latest ones, they can really be hugely appreciated even if the price goes up a bit.
If you crossover the smaller driver at say 250Hz, the system (2 x woofer + wide-range) should be able to handle quite a bit of energy before physical limits (excursion) are met.
I would not be surprised if Scott's dual M200-based system is more efficient than a WAW, such as one based around an 8" woofer and a 5" full-range. I remember modelling a system using the MAOP-7 with a pair of Seas Prestige CD22 / SB Acoustics SB23 in a Tysen V2 configuration that Dave (Planet 10) had created.