Silver Flute

[mstar]

As some of you know, I was trying to replace a mini PA I had. I was almost settled on the Podzuma project but recently, after Darren had more facts, hecould not recommend the project as it was stated, for my higher power amp.

So I am on the quest for new high SPL drivers.
I am looking at the MTM concept or just a larger driver. Eminence is seems to be one of the only higher SPL on PE.
But I have come across a brand called Silver Flute which I am sure many of you know about.

Note: I still want to try to pair these with the Pyle Pro tweeters in the Podzuma since this is a PA. (But I am open to others that might be suggested)

Has anyone heard/used Sliver Flute Drivers?

Is there a real noticeable (by ear) difference between these two-?

W14RC25 (4 ohm) (5.25"), Fs 42.5, SPL 91 1w/1m, Vas 18.99, X-max 3.5mm

Factory Recommended tuning: F3 70Hz in 6 liters

And

W17RC38-(4 ohm) 6.25,Fs 37.5, Vas 25.6, SPL 91.5 1w/1m, X-max 5mm

Factory Recommended tuning: F3 70Hz in 6 liters

Usage: mini DC-Powered PA with no more than 50 watts sent into the driver. Goal SPL- As loud as possible while being easy on the ears for smaller rooms.

The use is in large living rooms (20 people) to fire house halls of maybe 30-75 people.
Mostly voice use with music reproduction (no live music)

Q: Will there be a noticeable difference in using the larger of the two (6.5”)? There is only .5 db that will be gained. That is, if size of the enclosure is an issue will the larger driver provide better performance just because it is larger?
Both seem to have a flat response up to 60 Hz-4K and a priced right if they put out what they claim. I could only find chart info at <A HREF="http://www.madisound.com/silverflute.html">www.madisound.com/silverflute.html</A>

Also I am still deciding if I want to go to a larger 8" size. I wanted to go with Eminence that was on buy out but waited too long. I am not sure I wanted to pay retail for the
Beta 8A. - 8" (8 ohm) Fs 65, SPL 95.1, Vas 23.3, X-max 3mm
Recommended Enclosure- 8.5-19 liters

They claim a high SPL of 95.1 but their chart seems to show it does not maintain that level until 1100 Hz. It seems to be more like an SPL of 94.

However, in the Silver Flute line, there is W20RC38 (4 ohm) 8", Fs 31, SPL 93.5 1w/1m, Vas 72.27, X-max 5mm.
Factory Recommend Enclosure- F3 60 Hz in 15 liters

The chart seem pretty flat from 50 Hz to 3 kHz

Q: Assuming the SPL is as claimed, between the two 8", there is only a 1.5 db difference. Can the ear hear that difference (say at 24 watts I estimate the Eminence would have an SPL of 108.6 at 1 meter vs. the Sliver flute having 107 db at the same distance?)
The price is lower on the Silver Flute and profile 1/4" smaller.

Q: Between the Silver Flute 6.5" and the 8 " will there be a noticeable performance gain (by ear)
Between 1. the 10 Hz more of bass (from 70 to 60 Hz) 2. the 2 db gain in SPL?)

Q: if enclosure size is a design factor, will going up from 6.5" to 8" give me a noticeable performance difference? (When compared to the extra cost, increased size of the driver and the increased enclosure size to meet the Vb requirements?

Finally, what about the difference between the 5.25" and the 8". Between the two there is a 2.5 db difference and again about a 10 Hz difference in F3 (70 Hz vs. 60 Hz).
I estimate at 24 watts my SPL will be 104.5 and 107 respectfully at 1 meter)

Q: Since I still do not have a grasp on how much different the Db is, will I hear a noticeable difference between the 2.5 db? How about the 10 Hz difference in bass response?

I guess I am really asking if for the increased size and cost, based on the range of 25- 50 watts, it will really make a difference, by ear, to have an 8" driver?

Thanks for the input.

[paul_n_oneal]

The only high SPL driver that I can vouch for is the PHL line sold over at <A HREF="http://www.zalytron.com">http://www.zalytron.com</A>

These are considered the best sounding mids by many people and are high SPL. IMHO, I would give them a shot. Never heard an Eminence before but I'm sure they are good also. Might ask Paul O about them.

[mstar]

Thanks,
A little out of the budget for this project.