Driver inset

[autodidact]

Does it matter if a driver is set flush with the front of a cabinet or just attached without a rabbet to sit in? I'm building an Audax center channel speaker kit & it says to inset one of the drivers, but not the others. Will I get better performance by insetting as a general rule?

[cole]

> Does it matter if a driver is set flush with
> the front of a cabinet or just attached
> without a rabbet to sit in? I'm building an
> Audax center channel speaker kit & it
> says to inset one of the drivers, but not
> the others. Will I get better performance by
> insetting as a general rule?

Justin, I was building the Lyra,s (a popular DIY design). I made the mistake of mounting my drivers on top instead of flush. Needless to say, the system sounded less than satifying, untill the guys here mentioned that I should flush mount my drivers. That definately cured the imaging problems and a wierd out of phase sound. I think it has to do with baffle defraction? Get more info before you continue.

[daver]

As a general rule, it is often recommended to flush-mount the drivers. The idea is that small steps on the front baffle will present areas for reflection or diffraction to occur. When this happens, cancellations or other anomalies may be created in the wavefront, as it moves away from the speaker. Another factor is that it makes for a more finished look if flush-mounted.

With that in mind, some completed designs have been substantiated by testing. If the kit says to flush-mount a particular driver, and not the others, you will be more likely to re-create the same performance as the completed design if you follow that recommendation.

Of course, if you'd like to experiment with the different options, that's what this DIY hobby is all about.

-Dave R

[madrok]

Yes, it does make a difference, especially for high frequency drivers like tweeters, because sound diffracts off of the round rim of the driver frame.

The effect is not always very noticeable. If you don't or can't do flush mounting with a router, you can add a layer of thin plywood or cork to go around the drivers, makeing them flush with the front baffle.