Peerless HDS 830869 vs SB Acoustics SB23 vs Dayton RS225

[AndyWest]

AndyWest - Similar to you, I have used the Peerless in 35Hz-ish tuned speaker and I too was not happy. I ended up increasing the tuning frequency (can't remember to exactly where, but will go back to my build). I understand your concern about losing out some output on lower frequencies - but to me, the compromise was worth it. If the port in your build is easily replaceable, you could try experimenting with that (as others have suggested) while you wait for additional recommendations.

Thank you for sharing.
The speakers with the Peerless woofer are painted and buffed into final finish. I cannot change the tuning frequency and these would be going to a new home anyway.
So, if I am starting a new build better start with the better driver.

Never heard of Ocean way before. I did a quick search and the Eureka seems to have very good reviews. They seem to be using the SB23NACS45-4, silver aluminum cone version most likely not available now. The person who built them says he used unusually high crossover ( I guess around 3Khz from the impedance plot). This is a strange application for this woofer given its breakup characteristics and sharp rise of distortion beyond 1.5Khz, but if it sounds good, its a good design. The 8 inch bi-radial driver from the very popular Harbeths doesn't even seem to have a shorting ring and crosses at 3KHz and still get good reviews. Maybe it is the DIY builders who follow too many rules.

I noticed something very strange with the Ocean way Eureka. It has a professional version with active amplifications and controls and costs significantly less at around $4000 per pair.
The Eureka starts at $7000 and goes upto $12000.

Whats going on here? Audiophile tax?

Anyways, its nice to see the affordable SB23 being used in $12000 speakers. Thanks.

[DeZZar]

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe one day soon. I have a few too many designs in the backlog already but I'll keep it in mind if I get tempted to go down the 8" two way path!

[dkalsi]

AndyWest - Similar to you, I have used the Peerless in 35Hz-ish tuned speaker and I too was not happy. I ended up increasing the tuning frequency (can't remember to exactly where, but will go back to my build). I understand your concern about losing out some output on lower frequencies - but to me, the compromise was worth it. If the port in your build is easily replaceable, you could try experimenting with that (as others have suggested) while you wait for additional recommendations.

Also - welcome to the forum :-). I think some things are just being lost in translation, and it's always difficult to accurately understand one's tone via text, but know (FWIW) that Chris Roemer and andy19191 are some of the nicest people you will meet in this community. Their post count aside, they are always willing to assist newcomers (like me) as well as brainstorm with more experienced builders (like you).

Best of luck with your (re-)build.

DeZZar - I know you have relegated the 23NBAC to sub 250hz duty, but you should definitely consider trying to use it in a 2way - just a quick test box. I've seen your skills here and I know it's going to be extremely difficult for you to build something that does not look a million bucks - but encourage you to experiment with this just as a learning exercise. The reason why I'm suggesting you try it is because I got a chance to hear the Ocean Way Audio Eureka speakers (which I believe employ this woofer) at my local Capital Audiofest and I really felt it was one of the best 2-ways I heard that day. I'm sure polars are not great when you jump from 8" to 1" - but, take my word, the speaker still sounded amazing nonetheless.

[Blenton]

[AndyWest]

Read carefully. Chris said "Xmax" IS the (mfr's) "spec" on peak-to-peak excursion (USUALLY!) before (bad) distortion sets in"
99% of the time, rated Xmax is calculated like I showed you, with no regard for actual distortion performance.

This thread went off rails because these two people were giving unsolicited advice regarding my peerless build when that was not even up for discussion.
One of them was even insisting I listen to him because of his experience when I rejected his advice of reconsidering my port tuning frequency.

I clearly mentioned what I wanted in my original post. And one of them later wrote he had no clue what I am looking for.
Maybe people should stop wasting everyone's time.

Other members contributing here didn't have experience with multiple woofers mentioned here. But they didn't try to derail the threat. Helpful in the spirit of the forum.

[a4eaudio]

All that may be true, but irrelevant to my point... Chris has a clue and you probably didn't teach him anything. Your thread went off the rails because (although to be fair, nobody ever actually answered what you asked in post#1)...(1) you claimed Andy19191 said something that he didn't say (2) you claimed Chris didn't have a clue when what he said was correct. Sorry I can't actually answer your question, at I do not have actual experience with two or more of the drivers your interested in

[AndyWest]

a4eaudio

Read my entire post. Most of the major driver manufacturers that we are concerned with uses some form of calculation with no regards to actual distortion performance. There are exceptions like JBL as I mentioned and sure there will be others. But thats minority.

Seas, Dayton, Scanspeak, Tymphany/vifa/ peerless, SB Acoustics, Acoustic Elegance, Accuton, Purify, Beyma, Eton, Fountek, Fostex, Usher, TangBang, Hi-Vi, Morel, Audax and even Zaph Audio uses Xmax calculated on overhung or underhung amount and not on actual distortion performance. I could find only JBL among major manufacturers measuring actual distortion. Eminence is kind of playing a shady game.

Now if you are really bent on googling out some manufacturers who states xmax based upon distortion measurements, you will most likely find some.
But look at the list I showed you above. That includes most of the major manufacturers. The ones I forgot to add most likely belongs to the same group.

[a4eaudio]

Are you SURE you taught Chris something about xmax, or maybe you didn't learn something? A quick Google search found several manufacturers that rate xmax as the point where THD = 10%. So along with the 4 calculations you provided, we now have at least 5 ways to present xmax. Seems like he might have a clue.

[Steve Lee]

An increase in alcohol consumption, most likely.

[AndyWest]

How about the Scanspeak 21WE/8542T00?

The 21WE seems like a very good woofer. If I could afford it, I might not be looking for alternatives.

I am curious why scanspeak went from underhung (WU series) to overhang design ( WE series).

[AndyWest]

Yeah Andy(w/25 posts). You know w-a-a-a-a-y too much to be here asking ?s.
If anything, you should be letting all us guys (w/way too many posts) ask YOU questions. Bye.

I know 2 person to whom you can forward all your questions:

1. Someone who know something but hasn't heard of this forum. ie. 0 posts
or
2. Someone who doesn't know much but has more than 10K posts here. After all, increasing quantity of posts is really easy. You just need to have a lot of time and good advice, bad advice, out of topic ramblings, everything increases post counts. Knowledge is not a pre-requisite for number of posts.

I did not ask your help regarding my peerless build. I was asking for inputs from people who have experiences with these woofers. Thanks for de-railing the thread.

On the bright side, you seem to have no clue what Xmax is. Hopefully, I taught you something.

[djg]

I saw this coming yesterday.

[fatmarley]

How about the Scanspeak 21WE/8542T00?

[Chris Roemer]

Yeah Andy(w/25 posts). You know w-a-a-a-a-y too much to be here asking ?s.
If anything, you should be letting all us guys (w/way too many posts) ask YOU questions. Bye.

[andy19191]

Isn't it rude for you to claim being more experienced just because you have more forum posts?

??? I think it may be wise to bow out of thread at this point. Good luck with whatever it is you are after.