B&C vs RCF vs Eminence vs Selenium - Reliability

[killersoundz]

Who makes the most reliable drivers? In your opinion.

[billfitzmaurice]

I've found no difference between the major brands.

[Paul O]

I have blown my share of namebrand drivers but I'm yet to take out any Eminence cones, if nothing else they make durable components.

[killersoundz]

How about B&C specifically? I haven't really heard anyone talk about B&C drivers but they seem like quality products. I'd like to have some opinions (thumbs up) before I start purchasing some.

[billfitzmaurice]

B&C are neither better nor worse than other brands. They carry some cachet because they're more expensive in the US, but that's only because they're imported.

[meep]

i've had coil separate on one selenium compression horn over a few years, fixed with superglue. Hard-driven, it's happened to a buddy that exclusively uses the selenium drivers. very, very durable.

Never seen an RCF fail from normal use, but they have a small local reputation for not handling physical abuse-- the cab topples over and the driver magnet cracks... was advised to avoid them from a local music shop (that sells them) and also has an active group of older musicians that play around town.

[wg_ski]

Never seen an RCF fail from normal use, but they have a small local reputation for not handling physical abuse-- the cab topples over and the driver magnet cracks....

Any cast frame driver with a very heavy motor is equally likely to do that - cast aluminum is brittle. Steel baskets and neo motors have a distinct advantage here.

[wg_ski]

I have blown my share of namebrand drivers but I'm yet to take out any Eminence cones, if nothing else they make durable components.

One thing Eminence doesn't do is edgewound coils with really tight air gaps (and tolerances). Heat that old round copper wire until the adhesives start to smell and nothing bad usually happens.

[wg_ski]

How about B&C specifically? I haven't really heard anyone talk about B&C drivers but they seem like quality products. I'd like to have some opinions (thumbs up) before I start purchasing some.

The ones I've used have never seen what I'd call 'abuse' - they were being used as mids well below amp clipping. The SQ is excellent.