Best cone midrange

[killerkowalczyk]

What would be the best driver to use in the 200-2500hz range that PE offers up to $120 a piece?

any suggestions or experiences are appreciated.

[bryanjackson]

RS150 would do you fine, as would the rs125.

[wg_ski]

> What would be the best driver to use in the
> 200-2500hz range that PE offers up to $120 a
> piece?

> any suggestions or experiences are
> appreciated.

294-652. My applications may be different from yours, however.....

[Jeff B.]

Provided Link: B&C Midrange


> What would be the best driver to use in the
> 200-2500hz range that PE offers up to $120 a
> piece?

> any suggestions or experiences are
> appreciated.

In a home application this can cross that low. You might be surprised what it can do....

[unknownuser]

Peerless HDS Exclusive 830882

Cost: $66
Usability:
Build Quality:
Consistency:
Zaph Audio : <A HREF="http://www.zaphaudio.com/5.5test/">http://www.zaphaudio.com/5.5test/</A>

Comments: This is the 5.5" flagship of the Peerless line. It's touted as having low distortion, and it lives up to that. Harmonic distortion was near Scan Speak levels with the exception of some issues between 400 and 500 Hz. The 450 Hz peak in HD was exactly the same in both samples, leading to an extra star for consistency but holding back one star for usability. If I had to speculate on the 450hz HD peak, it's probably related to the dustcap-cone configuration. The frame casting was a little on the rough side, and the phase plug was not centered as well as I have often seen in Seas speakers. Overall, it's still a great driver and a good value but honestly I would have hoped for a little more attention to details.

or slightly above your price range:

Seas Excel W15CY-001 (Magnesium)

Cost: $135
Usability:
Build Quality:
Consistency:
Value: Comments: This is Seas' definitive high end driver. Response within the usable band is flat line smooth, and harmonic distortion is excellent, though a notch down from the Scan Speaks and the Peerless Exclusive. The breakup node is easily controllable with a simple RLC notch, though I consider the optimum crossover point of this driver to be around 2kHz, maybe higher depending on how much that 2.3kHz 3rd order harmonic distortion bugs you. The 5th order harmonic at 1.5Khz is low enough to be off the audible radar. It's not the cheapest 5.5" around, but it's probably worth the extra cost. Note: a couple stars off consistency for a wandering breakup node over the years.


(Originally posted by: Pinky)

[rudyjakubin]

> 294-652. My applications may be different
> from yours, however.....
<A HREF="http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...TOKEN=48034275">http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...TOKEN=48034275</A>

That one would be 'great' for rock and metal..

[robertcottiers]

> In a home application this can cross that
> low. You might be surprised what it can
> do....

Jeff:I have had my eye on that one for a long time!...Have you built anything with it?

Bob C.

[wg_ski]

Coloration? Nah.... Just something that will drive a horn up to a couple kHz.

[scottanderson]

Provided Link: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=297-302

[wg_ski]

> Jeff:I have had my eye on that one for a
> long time!...Have you built anything with
> it?

> Bob C.

Not Jeff, but yes. I bought a dozen to load my upper mids in the Sonic Armageddon system, and d@mn those things sound good. They'll mate pretty well with a ribbon for a high efficiency system.

See, I'm not the only one thinking 'loud'.

[robertcottiers]

> Not Jeff, but yes. I bought a dozen to load
> my upper mids in the Sonic Armageddon
> system, and d@mn those things sound good.
> They'll mate pretty well with a ribbon for a
> high efficiency system.

> See, I'm not the only one thinking 'loud'.

Warren:That's exactly what I had in mind,pairing it up with a ribbon tweeter....Have any pics of the "Sonic Armageddon"

Thanks Bob C.

[Pete Schumacher ®]

[thylantyr]

> What would be the best driver to use in the
> 200-2500hz range that PE offers up to $120 a
> piece?

> any suggestions or experiences are
> appreciated.

If you seek the best in the $120 category,
why limit yourself to one vendor?

[wg_ski]

> Warren:That's exactly what I had in
> mind,pairing it up with a ribbon
> tweeter....

If only the R2's could handle the kind of pounding I subject a system to, I'd have built that already. Experiments at lower volumes (i.e. tube amp levels) were quite positive.

> Have any pics of the "Sonic
> Armageddon"

No good ones - the latest was all unfinished plywood cabs in very poor light. I'm about 2 weeks out from having the paint job complete. Some time after Hotter than Hell I'll set it up for a (cringe) sound check (call the cops now) and photo op. Then I'll need to set up a site to post them....

[robertcottiers]

> If only the R2's could handle the kind of
> pounding I subject a system to, I'd have
> built that already. Experiments at lower
> volumes (i.e. tube amp levels) were quite
> positive.

> No good ones - the latest was all unfinished
> plywood cabs in very poor light. I'm about 2
> weeks out from having the paint job
> complete. Some time after Hotter than Hell
> I'll set it up for a (cringe) sound check
> (call the cops now) and photo op. Then I'll
> need to set up a site to post them....

I will be on the lookout when you post again...I think I might pull the trigger on those drivers real soon...

Regards Bob C.

[dick]

> Not Jeff, but yes. I bought a dozen to load
> my upper mids in the Sonic Armageddon
> system, and d@mn those things sound good.
> They'll mate pretty well with a ribbon for a
> high efficiency system.

> See, I'm not the only one thinking 'loud'.

I've used a couple of the PHL's, including the #000 series, 2411 and the 1120.....does the B&C compare sonically with any of these? BTW, the 1120 works VERY well with the AC G2 ribbon. If our questioner was willing to stray from PE as the source, the 1120 is a slam dunk no brainer IMHO.

Dick

[thylantyr]

>B&C compare sonically with any of these?

I'll place my bet.

PHL 8" wins, albiet at 2.5x the cost of the B&C.

If someone is willing to dish out a few bills
for a good ribbon tweeter or compression driver/horn, then go with the PHL product.

[nick29498141]

to do with that? I know PE offers a mid with 100+ db sensitivity, but with .6mm of Xmax, what would you do with that? If it where going to be used in a Hi-Fi project, would you need a 4-way or just a gradually sloping 3-way to make up for lack of extension, I know it can put out, but 1mm? I guess I' out of my game here, care to edumacate me a bit?

NK

[paul_n_oneal]

The 1120 is a 6.5", which 8" are you referring too? I mean none of them go low low, not even the 18". Can you describe the sound as best as possible? I know it was to be my last post, but his grabbed my attention because I have the bills saved up for some PHL 1120s. Dump us with all the information you have please.

Paul

[unknownuser]

that is true.....

Dayton RS150S-8

Cost: $29
Usability:
Build Quality:
Consistency:
Value: Comments: The Dayton RS line has been a long time price/performance leader from Parts Express. The harmonic distortion level is not seen in any other driver at this price point. The response curve is a little bit ragged, and the breakup node has 2 peaks, but for the most part it is controllable with a few extra crossover components. The isn't a Scan Speak or Seas Excel level performance, but at this price anyone can be happy with this choice of driver. Bonus points for looking like a stealth fighter. Admit it, looks are important.

Dayton RS125

Cost: $22
Usability:
Build Quality:
Consistency:
Value: Comments: Excellent performing small woofer, though it's lower efficiency will somewhat limit it's use as a midrange driver. This is effectively a 4" midwoofer with a rather large flange. Typical excellent Dayton RS build quality and consistency. Recommended highest crossover point is 2.5 kHz LR4. I don't recommend LR2 usage with this driver. This driver is visually beautiful. Excellent bass performance for this size driver.

Best Value: Dayton DA175-8 - This is a metal cone driver that, for $19, performs nearly as well as the Seas L18 at lower output levels. At higher levels, a little compression and non-linear BL will become evident due to frame and motor design, but at that price, you can just buy two. It's interesting that the MCM 55-1860 obviously uses the same cone, dust cap and surround, but a change in spiders and a vented motor appear to make a difference in distortion and response. 2nd place for value is the Dayton RS180. Obviously, Parts Express is big on value.


(Originally posted by: Pinky)