2” full-range comparison

[geekjon]

If anyone has experience comparing these 2” full-range drivers, I would love to hear your thoughts. The only one I’ve used is the Fountek, and I’m happy with it, but I am wondering if these comparable drivers are better or worse. It appears that the Founteks are the least sensitive of the three. These would be for a small portable and/or tabletop speaker.

1. https://www.parts-express.com/founte...river--296-725

2. https://www.parts-express.com/lavoce...8-ohm--293-703

3. https://www.parts-express.com/eminen...pack--290-4020

[Wolf]

The Lavoce weren't in stock last I checked, so they are too new to know in this group. The FR58 is a decent unit. The Eminence Alpha 2 is also very new, and as yet to my knowledge- not utilized in any design I know of.

Later,
Wolf

[DanP]

Least sensitive translates directly to most extended bass response in smallest enclosure, so if these two things are of importance, the least sensitive driver may be ideal. If you're willing to double the enclosure size, you can use two of the Founteks for added sensitivity. Like Wolf, I have no experience with the two new units listed, but the Fountek is a very well made unit.

Dan

[Chris Roemer]

IMO, really "small" speakers suffer MOSTly from a lack of bass (unless you add a sub). Out of the drivers you listed, the Fountek goes the lowest AND has the highest Xmax (ALSO important 'cause you gotta move some air somehow - if you don't have surface area, then you need stroke).

The Dayton ND65(-4)s are comparable in size and box size, but are even less sensitive (if that's YOUR complaint); however, they CAN deliver almost another octave down on the bottom end. I think the ND91s can also work in "small" boxes (about 0.06cf/driver). The ND90(-8)s will go the lowest, have tons of Xmax (for their size), but need more like 0.15cf each.

Are you doing box modeling ( using something like WinISD from linearteam.org )?

[geekjon]

The low frequencies of these 2” speakers are not terribly critical in my case, because I am building a 2.1 setup with a woofer handling the lows. I haven’t used any box modeling software, but I should probably learn how to use a tool like that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[civit]

The FR88 drivers are superb performers. Haven't used them but their measurements are extremely good.

[michaelmoran]

I have used these as mid-tweeter and I like them a lot.

https://www.parts-express.com/peerle...-ohm--264-1124

[philthien]

The low frequencies of these 2” speakers are not terribly critical in my case, because I am building a 2.1 setup with a woofer handling the lows. I haven’t used any box modeling software, but I should probably learn how to use a tool like that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One thing I've learned in my 2.2 setup (same as your 2.1 but I have two subs) is that being able to cross at approx. 170-Hz is extremely helpful in adjusting the system to user preferences, and the room.

Interestingly, I think Olive (JBL) found that most listeners like to adjust 170-Hz (or so) and below to tailor the bass to their likes, but they like the 170-Hz and UP to be pretty darn flat.

Having the ability to set the crossover to that same 170-Hz means that for my system (biamped), I can increase or decrease the gain on the bass amp for either a very flat sound or to accentuate the bass for some of the older class rock discs which seem to have been poorly mastered for CD.

But even if your system isn't biamped, I'd still say trying to keep to that same crossover range is pretty helpful, as you'll encounter the same problems in the passive xover domain.

When I was crossing over at 300-Hz, I found that changes to the gain on my bass amp were just reeking havoc on the overall sound. So I resorted to using software EQ and that was okay but a little more time consuming to adjust if I was switching from listening to modern jazz recordings to something from Supertramp, and I don't think the final result was as good as just keeping the xover at 170-Hz.

[kevintomb]

This site has some similar drivers and measurements and comments.

http://feleppa.com.au/speakermeasmid.html

[djg]

You mention a 2.1 setup? One thing to consider is that over about 100 hz, bass output becomes localized, according to what I have read on the forum. If it's a boombox with all speakers adjacent, no problem.

[ontariomaximus]

This site has some similar drivers and measurements and comments.

http://feleppa.com.au/speakermeasmid.html

awesome link!

[Jake]

I haven't used the above mentioned, but I can reccommened the ultra budget ce65w. I made a small 2-way, and it is a pretty capable driver used this way, or fullrange. I tuned them to 80hz with a few db of baffle step.