HiVi B4N

[jims]

Does anyone have recent FRD and ZMA files for the HiVi B4N? I was comparing the PE frequency response curve to the one the manufacturer has posted. Both show a significant peak, but the manufacturer curve shows that it is higher and occurs at 4,000 Hz, while PE shows it at 5,000 Hz.

I plan to measure these if I actually buy the drivers, but it would be helpful to have decent data beforehand. I would also love to hear any opinions of those who have used this one.

Thanks!
Jim S.

[Paul Carmody]

Yes. I did a design with them a few months ago called the "Buggles" (Wolf seems to cringe when he hears that name :D), but never published it because I wanted to do an alternate version with less BSC. Still, it's a really nice-sounding speaker. I have them on my desk at work.

The B4N can do unbelievable bass, but it runs out of xmax quickly. So if you're going nearfield (ie: computer speakers), you can try vented. In a normal room, you'll want to probably seal them and/or run them with a sub.

I'll include the project files.

[jims]

Yes. I did a design with them a few months ago called the "Buggles" (Wolf seems to cringe when he hears that name :D), but never published it because I wanted to do an alternate version with less BSC. Still, it's a really nice-sounding speaker. I have them on my desk at work.

The B4N can do unbelievable bass, but it runs out of xmax quickly. So if you're going nearfield (ie: computer speakers), you can try vented. In a normal room, you'll want to probably seal them and/or run them with a sub.

I'll include the project files.

Did you name them after the early 1980s New Wave group?? :cool:

Thanks! I was actually looking at the ND20FA tweeter as well. This will be my first crossover design, so I'm deliberately *not* going to look at your project files at first. I want to work through the process, make silly mistakes, and try to actually learn something. Later on, I'll see what you did as sort of a reality check and see where you might have taken a different path.

I'm planning on running these with a sub. I'm looking at the B4N primarily because it will play down into the low 80-Hz range in a pretty small sealed cabinet. I'm not totally set on the B4N, though. I'm also considering the Tang Band W4-616SA and W4-656SB, but both of them will need to be vented. They might be easier to work with from a crossover standpoint.

Anyway, I appreciate your willingness to share!

Jim

[Wolf]

Did you name them after the early 1980s New Wave group?? :cool:

Thanks! I was actually looking at the ND20FA tweeter as well. This will be my first crossover design, so I'm deliberately *not* going to look at your project files at first. I want to work through the process, make silly mistakes, and try to actually learn something. Later on, I'll see what you did as sort of a reality check and see where you might have taken a different path.

I'm planning on running these with a sub. I'm looking at the B4N primarily because it will play down into the low 80-Hz range in a pretty small sealed cabinet. I'm not totally set on the B4N, though. I'm also considering the Tang Band W4-616SA and W4-656SB, but both of them will need to be vented. They might be easier to work with from a crossover standpoint.

Anyway, I appreciate your willingness to share!

Jim

I really like the midrange from the M4N that I used in the "Sophomores", but I'm not certain the M4N will meet the ND20FA-6 in the middle. It definitely sounds different than the B4N in Paul's design.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/wolf_teeth_speaker/Sophomores/100_3970.jpg

New wave group?? That's a LAUGH! :D
Later,
Wolf

[Paul Carmody]

Did you name them after the early 1980s New Wave group?? :cool:

Well, I did always like the name of that group.

But really, I called them that because when I was first putting them together, I wasn't really very happy with the way they looked. I thought they were "b---f---ing ugly," as some would say. So I shortened it to "Buggles." But honestly, with the silver Vinyl wrap, I've grown to like the way they look. But still, with those drivers, they do sort of have a "bug-eyed" look to them.

And Wolf's right. His Sophomores do have a very different sound. The M4N has really great midrange. The B4N might not have the same detailed midrange, but on the other hand, they really make a tiny speaker sound huge. B-se wave radios, eat your heart out.:eek:

[jims]

Well, I did always like the name of that group.

But really, I called them that because when I was first putting them together, I wasn't really very happy with the way they looked. I thought they were "b---f---ing ugly," as some would say. So I shortened it to "Buggles." But honestly, with the silver Vinyl wrap, I've grown to like the way they look. But still, with those drivers, they do sort of have a "bug-eyed" look to them. :eek:

I don't think they're ugly at all, though I think I will go with more of a natural wood look for mine....

Jim

[jims]

I really like the midrange from the M4N that I used in the "Sophomores", but I'm not certain the M4N will meet the ND20FA-6 in the middle. It definitely sounds different than the B4N in Paul's design.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/wolf_teeth_speaker/Sophomores/100_3970.jpg

New wave group?? That's a LAUGH! :D
Later,
Wolf

I played around with the M4N in unibox and looked at your posts on the Sophomores, but I wanted a little smaller cabinet & couldn't figure out how to get rid of the hump around 100 Hz. The B4N seems to work a little better in a smaller cabinet. And I think you're right about the ND20 tweeter not working with the M4N. Still, it looks like something to keep in mind for the future....

Jim

[Wolf]

I played around with the M4N in unibox and looked at your posts on the Sophomores, but I wanted a little smaller cabinet & couldn't figure out how to get rid of the hump around 100 Hz. The B4N seems to work a little better in a smaller cabinet. And I think you're right about the ND20 tweeter not working with the M4N. Still, it looks like something to keep in mind for the future....

Jim

You have to either run them sealed (high-Qts driver), or stuff the snot out of the vented cabs. I literally had to hold the driver down while I screwed it in.

FWIW, these are only 4.4 ltrs, and I think the Buggles are 4.5 ltrs.
Later,
Wolf

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

is that the hive tn25. under 9 bux. under forty for four speakers is pretty decent. what do you estimate for the x-overs? when you publish this will you include a photograph in addition to the schematic?

[Wolf]

is that the hive tn25. under 9 bux. under forty for four speakers is pretty decent. what do you estimate for the x-overs? when you publish this will you include a photograph in addition to the schematic?

My project has the TN25 in it. I call them the "Sophomores", and have not finalized a writeup yet. I estimate $100 or less if you're frugal for the drivers and xovers for a pair. That is the M4N, not the B4N.

I hope to finish the writeup soon when I pull the drivers and networks to paint them.
Thanks for your interest,
Wolf

[Chris Roemer]

My project has the TN25 in it. I call them the "Sophomores", and have not finalized a writeup yet. I estimate $100 or less if you're frugal for the drivers and xovers for a pair. That is the M4N, not the B4N.

I hope to finish the writeup soon when I pull the drivers and networks to paint them.
Thanks for your interest,
Wolf

I KNEW you painted your networks!

[Wolf]

I KNEW you painted your networks!

Weelllll... You called me on my direct-object referral there, *however*, I really do that!....:p

This one was silver at the start, but I painted it blue:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/wolf_teeth_speaker/Vijon/VijonOption4-physicalXOver.jpg

This one was silver, made black, and is one of my favorite layouts:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/wolf_teeth_speaker/2i/2iXover.jpg

I could go on you know, but I guess I do follow a type of "theme" with my projects. Obviously, "Vijon" has a *blue-hue* involved....
Later,
Wolf