I wish I could fit an HF10AK on a STH100. I used that driver on a LTH102 with great success. Its a lively sounding driver with lots of pleasant harmonics. The 18Sound NSD1095N is a bit more to the point and accurate sounding for my ears and would fit, but I don't want to spend quite that much.
Amazing HF response and low end reach. I bet it sounds great on an appropriate WG. Hmmm... choices, choices...
Well, to my ears, even the most popular drivers people appear to use are rough to my ears on a variety of WGs ie DE250 (8 ohm version), D210ti, D220ti, JBL 2412, 2414, a few EAW models - cant recall exact model numbers, most eminence screw on drivers, a few other not so common JBL 1 inch models.
My biggest complaint is harshness in the 2 - 5k range, where hearing is most acute. I know this has alot to do with WG design used, but having done testing on a wide range of WG and driver combinations, there are few drivers that are close to the SQ of a higher end dome tweeter. The NSD1095N took me by complete surprise and converted me to a HF horn guy, as to some extent did the BMS4540, PRV D260MY-B (above 3k), JBL2407, DCX50 and DCM50. The Celestion CDX1-1430 sounds like a winner to, based on hearing the lowly CDX1-1745 despite its shortcomings which is an amazing budget driver from 2k up.
And I have to add to the previous statement, the Audax TW025A28 is one of my favorite 25mm metal domes. There are few HF drivers that do what this Audix dome can above roughly 3k. 95% of compression drivers can't approach the resolution this dome brings out of music. The distortion is vanishingly low to my ears and the efficiency is really good for a small dome. The HF soft dome equivalent for me is the Seas T35-C002, despite its larger 35mm VC, it sings (especially on a WG).
Personally I enjoy the Eminence screw ons ASD1001 and PSD2002 the first being a both more smooth and bright while the later being a bit more crisp and revealing which to some might be experienced as harsh. Nothing a good filter can tame but ASD is probably easier for most to enjoy as long as you don’t push it while the PSD is absolutely more poweful and can be cut lower and play louder. In comparison I do not like the Selenium 220. Other than these I really don’t know much I’ve always used domes up the recently switching to PA and will never go back.
Well yes, that is a sensitive range. ✔️ And that's the typical hump of many horns and 1" driver. If the crossover is designed to take that into account, then the horns don't shout and aren't harsh. I've built many horn systems with 1" 1.4" and 2" CDs on horns that frighten people when they look at them. They expect to have their heads ripped off. They are always surprised not to. The crossover does make a difference. Some drivers and horns are certainly flatter than others, so don't need as much crossover/EQ help.
I remember years ago finding a big, lovely pair of speakers at a high end audio show. He was using Altec 811 horns with the good old Selenium D200Ti. That should not have sounded smooth. But it did, a rather pleasant surprise. (I had helped a little with the crossover)
I agree the xover does make a big difference with the impression of a CD, especially on a not so optimal horn. My gripe however is the resonances in that critical midrange that cant be covered up just through EQing the amplitude peaks out - they're still going to come through with higher playback levels when the source excites those buried resonances. Thats my main gripe with just using EQ to deal with specific non-linearities trying to use CD/horn combos that have FR curves looking like a rollercoaster ride. I just don't believe you can fix everything with EQ, specifically non linearities that tend to show their ugly face when the volume gets pushed a bit.
I tried the lavoce DN10.142 and its a flop. This driver has some QC issues, likely with the VC gap alignment and you can hear what sounds like the VC rubbing down lower around the 2 - 4k range - could be due to a rocking mode excited around the primary resonance. Either way, it's not living up to my expectations. The 60mm size was a huge factor. Too bad.
I'm going to try the Celestion 1730, as it shows the most promise and isn't too pricey. We'll see...
I'm going to try the Celestion 1730, as it shows the most promise and isn't too pricey. We'll see...
If you don't mind sharing the test datas as I also looking into one.
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The driver has to pass the first tests to make it to the point of doing measurements. That usually involves the QC that reveals defects related to design ie VC rubbing or buzzing, which I test for with sine wave sweeps and inspection of the VC. I'll let you know as I get further along.
Peerless DFM-2535R00-08
BMS 4526HE
Either one should work for your application. I have both. The Peerless might be difficult to get.
I've been looking at the BMS 4526HE with great interest, but its harder to get here in the US based on my research.
The Celestiom 1730 is a nice driver and is recommended by one of the biggest horn fanatics on this site, so i trust the advice, plus its readily available. If that one doesn't work out I'll go for the BMS.
The B&C DE7 is rather low in sensitivity compared to most other drivers. It also has a funky, not in a good way, phase plug that suffers from multipath starting in the lower treble, so it also wouldn't be the best choice for my requirements. It sure is a cute little driver.
The B&C DE120 also has a huge following from the Klipsh community and. Is only 70mm diameter. This may be another great choice depending on how well it goes with my horn design.
The Peerless 2535 is a good driver and I've ised it before. It may b,e a good fit but like you said, its non existent to purchase, plus its a disposable item thanks to no separate VC being available in case it goes bad. Being able to get a VC separately to repair the driver is important to me, otherwise it may end up in the landfill due to non-existent service parts.
The Celestiom 1730 is a nice driver and is recommended by one of the biggest horn fanatics on this site, so i trust the advice, plus its readily available. If that one doesn't work out I'll go for the BMS.
The B&C DE7 is rather low in sensitivity compared to most other drivers. It also has a funky, not in a good way, phase plug that suffers from multipath starting in the lower treble, so it also wouldn't be the best choice for my requirements. It sure is a cute little driver.
The B&C DE120 also has a huge following from the Klipsh community and. Is only 70mm diameter. This may be another great choice depending on how well it goes with my horn design.
The Peerless 2535 is a good driver and I've ised it before. It may b,e a good fit but like you said, its non existent to purchase, plus its a disposable item thanks to no separate VC being available in case it goes bad. Being able to get a VC separately to repair the driver is important to me, otherwise it may end up in the landfill due to non-existent service parts.
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So now I have a weird dilemma with the DE120. It appears they changed the VC design on this driver and I'm not sure if the older version had alot of 3rd order distortion as this new version sold now. I got them from a trusted source that has new stock and I'm not at all impressed with the fit and finish of the VC asy wobbling on the magnet asy without any gasket taking up the slack. The rear chamber is thin plastic and VC asy isn't detachable. I'm wondeing if they just silently rebadged a DE111 and sold it as a DE120? I don't have measuremenrs of said issue. The HD is blatantly audible up to 4k and it was tested on 3 different WGs. This driver is crap the way it currently is being built IMO. Maybe the older versions are better - I would assume so based on how many people use them to modify their Klipsh speakers.
Uggh, sounds like plastic problems...
I have been using B&C DE14TN-8 on their ME20 horn, very happy with them.
At 90mm (3.5") may be too big for your application.
The B&C measurements show the DE14TN considerably smoother than the DE120 above 2kHz.
The BMS 4552 ND (85mm) as previously suggested is really good too- worth routing a little cabinet wall relief area if needed.
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I'm starting to realize the smaller drivers for the most part are a compromise design. I prefer a driver that has a removable chamber so it can be tuned and adjusted to taste, often to supress some resonances that may be present due to lack of dampening (purposely done this way to extend the low midrange, but sometimes at the expense of compromised performance up top).
The DE120 design VC doesn't seal well on the magnet. There is no gasket. The asy wobbles on the magnet and isn't flat. The VC lead in wires are terminated rather sloppy and possibly (unevenly) hinder surround compliance, which can contribute to FR and HD problems. The overall listening impression of the driver is very congested down low under 4k. I did use an ME20 (one of my favorite WGs) to test the driver and it was rough all around, mostly down low in the pass band above horn loading cutoff. The DE250 is often a yardstick by what many drivers are compared to and it blows away the current version DE120 in the range up to 10k.
The DE120 design VC doesn't seal well on the magnet. There is no gasket. The asy wobbles on the magnet and isn't flat. The VC lead in wires are terminated rather sloppy and possibly (unevenly) hinder surround compliance, which can contribute to FR and HD problems. The overall listening impression of the driver is very congested down low under 4k. I did use an ME20 (one of my favorite WGs) to test the driver and it was rough all around, mostly down low in the pass band above horn loading cutoff. The DE250 is often a yardstick by what many drivers are compared to and it blows away the current version DE120 in the range up to 10k.