HT Upgrade

[Pete Schumacher ®]

Hey guys, thought I'd get some feedback from the gang on potential driver choices for a major upgrade to my buddy's HT, featuring the quartet of RSS390HF subs behind his front row.

I've talked him in to going to pro style drivers to increase sensitivity so that his new 9.1 receiver (130W/ch) won't need any augmentation.

To start off, I think I've convinced him to go with the Aurum Cantus AST30100 for the top end. For the low end, either the Eminence Kappalite 3012HO or Deltalite 2512, with 200Hz sensitivity ratings around 97dB. I'd like to use a 6.5" pro mid, to provide the best power response possible for a crossover to the AC AST around 1200Hz LR4. That said, there are a few candidates to consider, but I'm totally ignorant on their potential quality of sound.

Anyone with any thoughts on the B&C 6PEV13 or 6MD38? Looking for a mid with sensitivity in the 95dB+ range, so any suggestions other than these B&C would be appreciated. I'd rather stay away from sealed back mids so that I can have more flexibility in where it crosses to the woofer.

These will be in-wall 3-ways, so no baffle step compensation will be required.

[Paul Ebert]

Perhaps a pair of the 18Sound 6ND430-16 in parallel would hit your 95 dB target. Zaph gave it high marks.

[Sidi]

Im not sure what your crossover point will be, but the 18sound 6ND410 is quite a sensitive driver

http://www.eighteensound.it/index.as...roduct&pid=244

[winslow]

PHL Audio had some nice drivers if you can still find them...dunno if ORCA still distributes them or not. The 1120 and 1660 were pretty excellent IMO.

With that big tweeter, could you not go 2 way with the 12s?

It might be easier to find really good 8s though. Good pro 6s aren't that plentiful.

Curious as to what you come up with because I was thinking about an 8" two way for my car using the the smaller AC AST or the medium one...but 6s might be more doable.

[winslow]

FWIW, Jeff Bagby used the PHL 1120 in a design and I think it is used in the Salk Sound Pharos as well.

[GranteedEV]

Faital Pro 6PR150

Aluminum shorting ring, 97db sensitive, fs at 100hz

[winslow]

Wasn't that Faital tested in Voice Coil? If so, I may still have the results.

Wonder if I could add some mass to the cone and drop the Fs 20-25 hertz....

[GranteedEV]

Wasn't that Faital tested in Voice Coil? If so, I may still have the results.

Please do post them!!!

[cjd]

Zaph has tested 2 or 3 pro-drivers in the 6.5" range, the B&C offerings did quite well when used properly (i.e. very definitely midrange drivers) - as did the 18sound IIRC. I'm too lazy to go look at his site right now. I vaguely recall seeing the 8" B&C mid tested and it may also be a usable option for you (octagonal frame so close placement to tweeter not too hard...)

C

[exojam]

The PHL 1120 can be found at zalytron if needed-wanted.

James

[GranteedEV]

The PHL 1120 can be found at zalytron if needed-wanted.

James

E-Speakers also carries it. But at that price i'd PERSONALLY just wait out for an AE TD6M.

[Pete Schumacher ®]

Yeah, I considered some 8" mids, but really would prefer the smoother power response transition that the 6.5" mids would present. And while that tweeter can cross low enough to a 12" woofer, I'd have to think that there'd be a possible suckout in the crossover region, off axis since the AMT is not waveguide loaded.

But, 8" mids I suppose, could work. Anyone think the response narrows too much by 1200Hz XO point with an 8"?

And no MTM . . . this is to be TMW, at around 97dB, so the mid could probably be in the 95dB range and still sum properly. I'm thinking LR2 at 350-400Hz and LR4 at 1200Hz.

I'm liking the looks of the Faital Pro . . .

[Mayhem13]

I've got a 6md38 on hand if you need a loaner for ear testing.....we all know measurements don't tell the whole story but I liked the sound of the driver. Do I prefer a metal cone midrange....you betcha. Show me a 96 db metal cone mid and I'll show you a happy camper.

[GranteedEV]

I've got a 6md38 on hand if you need a loaner for ear testing.....we all know measurements don't tell the whole story but I liked the sound of the driver. Do I prefer a metal cone midrange....you betcha. Show me a 96 db metal cone mid and I'll show you a happy camper.

Would be wicked. Especially if the passband were left under 2khz. But I think metal weighs things down a bit much for high sensitivity - aren't the seas Nextel cones like 5db more sensitive than the magnesium cones? The closest I can think of is the 93db sensitive B&W FST damped kevlar midrange. But I'd imagine they're pretty pricey. And the even pricier and fragile ceramic accuton.

[exojam]

E-Speakers also carries it. But at that price i'd PERSONALLY just wait out for an AE TD6M.

I would like to hear that driver also but unfortunately with the uphill run John is on at AE that maybe on heck of a wait. And with that time being so unpredictable, the PHL even at 160-170 is better than a driver that would be available at who knows when.

I really hope John keeps his business moving since he does produce good drivers. Personally I need move AV15 drivers

James

[Face]

E-Speakers also carries it. But at that price i'd PERSONALLY just wait out for an AE TD6M.

I wouldn't, most of the measurements I've seen haven't looked so good.

He supposedly can get them out the door pretty quick in comparison to his other drivers though.

[winslow]

The big AE drivers measure really well, but the 6s are so-so. They have great motors, but the suspensions aren't on the same level.

I haven't heard them though.

I have owned a set of PHL 2520s and a set of Audax PR170M0s...which are a close cousin of the PHL 1660s (or was it the 1120s?). And they both were excellent.

The 18Sound distributor down in FL said the 6nmb430 was better than the JBL and the PHLs...FWIW.

[greywarden]

This sounds awesome! I think that'd be close to the ultimate in-wall because it'd probably never need upgrading or parts replaced!

[mike price]

I highly recommend the Audax PR170MO , I have worked with both of the B&C's that you mentioned , of the two the 6md38 was much easier to cross over. The audax though , I like much better than either of them.

[winslow]

As much as I love the Audax, the PHL is supposed to be a step up in performance and output. Phillipe Lesage (the PH and L in PHL Audio) designed those Audax.