SS 18W/8542 vs 8545 vs 8531

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Hi,

I'd use Scanspeak 15W/8530K-00 5" Revelator Woofer - Low Qts: Madisound Speaker Store
and build Zaph|Audio - ZD5 - Scan Speak 15W8530K00 and Vifa XT25

14L is the sealed standmount version, you'd need 23L to 26L for vented, floorstanding,
though for the floorstander I'd reduce the depth somewhat, to reduce the chamber size.

All the (considerable amount) of hard work has been done for you, for a high quality monitor.

edit : sorry I missed those are 6.5" not 5", scratch that, but take a look at http://www.zaphaudio.com/ZRT.html
sealed would be 16L to 20L for the 8531. There is probably enough info on zaphs and using some tools to swap
the Revelator to the XT25 in a ZRT type c/o, 4th order acoustic, not the 2nd order acoustic ZD5 type.

rgds, sreten.
 
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Thank you for your reply sreten.

I don't want to copy an existing system completely, the 'hard work' is the fun part of this 🙂

I want to build something in the style of the Proac Studio 100 and they use the 8542 woofer, so I was asking if the 8531 wouldn't be a better choice nowadays, maybe the 8542 or 8545 are more suited to the small vented box, I don't know.
 
With a small difference in price and to make a 2 way monitor with a Vifa XT25 in a 14L box, which one would you prefer?


  • Scan-Speak 18W/8542
  • Scan-Speak 18W/8545
  • Scan-Speak 18W/8531
Sorry, you forgot to post the links...
Scan-Speak
Index of /datasheet/pdf
18W/8542-00 Classic - Midwoofer (Paper cone, foam surround, SD motor, 6.5" 8 ohm) http://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/pdf/18w-8542-00.pdf
18W/8545-00 Classic - Midwoofer (Low loss rubber surround, carbon fibre/paper cone, SD-1 motor, 6.5" 8 ohm) http://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/pdf/18w-8545-00.pdf
18W/8531G00 Revelator - Midwoofer (Low loss linear suspension, sliced paper cone, SD-1 motor, 6.5" 8 ohm) http://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/pdf/18w-8531g00.pdf

There are a few nice notes from Troels here "What makes a "studio monitor" different to any other "hifi" loudspeaker? Well, a true studio monitor is supposed to have a reasonably flat on-axis response combined with an even power response, allowing studio engineers..."
ScanSpeak Projects
and the 8542
18W/8542-00/

I have to say I like everything on the 8545. It will have low <86dB SPL, and crossover low.
 
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I've read all those articles, thank you Inductor. I could go directly to the tested 8542 version, but then I would always be thinking if it wouldn't have been a better choice the more recent 8531. On the other hand, maybe it's note advised to mount this last one on a small box.

Also, thank you for posting the Links 😉
Um abraço!
 
For me, 8542 sounds better in 2way than others.
In the other hand, 8545 could be nice too, if you hate the paper sound, and need lower end.
8351 is kinda weird imho, it has really nice bass, midbass, lower midrange, but it lacks definition on midrange /for me/. Therefore - nogo for 2way.

XT25 tweeter is sweet, but for higher crossover points. It has problems under 3kHz.

Better 2way design? 15w. Less bass output capability, better midrange, easier on tweeter xover point.

There is a reason why 15w+xt25 designs are already done. It's a good match.
18Ws really need largish tweeters, that play low. 6600 is one of them. Troels had problems with mating 18w/8531 to tweeter in 2way design. Check-out his SP95/97 - lots of crossover versions, all of which didn't gave the "wow, this is it!".

Smallish box rulls-out most 6s.
You need 5s...



/IMHO/
 
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With a small difference in price and to make a 2 way monitor with a Vifa XT25 in a 14L box, which one would you prefer?


  • Scan-Speak 18W/8542
  • Scan-Speak 18W/8545
  • Scan-Speak 18W/8531

I can't speak for the others but I've done two builds with the 8531 and it's astounding to me. These were 40L (ReDiscovery) and 65L (Zapf ZRT-2.5)

Everyone who's heard the Zapf cannot believe a sub is not involved and the 40L has a lot of very graceful bottom.

For reference my store-boughts are Dynaudio and Infinity kappas.

P
 
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