Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

[earthtodan]

The Tang Band W3-881SI gets rave reviews, and lots of people have done builds with them. I'm trying to decide if I should add them to my order just to have in my stash, or save the $20. I think impressions are influenced by expectations, and therefore when you spend so little money you're likely to be impressed if it's not that bad. Zaph hasn't reviewed it. So, is this buyout speaker really a diamond in the rough, or is it just a good for the price?

My criteria would be midrange clarity and low odd-order distortion (I wouldn't push it below 300 or 400 hz).

Dan

[ryanbouma]

Re: Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

Hey Dan

I'm using a pair right now from 300hz and up. They're really quite good. It's tough to answer your question though cause everything is relative to price. It's not a scan speak midrange and tweeter in one. Buts I'd take these over some of the mark audio stuff I've heard. And definitely over the fostex I've heard and used. I've measured them to be quite flat and extended all the way to 20khz. My only complaint is the treble is unforgiving. Not that it gives all the detail of bad recordings rather that it must have a little bit of cone breakup that can grind on your ears a bit. If the high frequencies in a recording are already a bit hot, they're gonna be overly hot and not laid back. Midrange is great.

[thekorvers]

Re: Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

The Tang Band W3-881SI gets rave reviews, and lots of people have done builds with them. I'm trying to decide if I should add them to my order just to have in my stash, or save the $20. I think impressions are influenced by expectations, and therefore when you spend so little money you're likely to be impressed if it's not that bad. Zaph hasn't reviewed it. So, is this buyout speaker really a diamond in the rough, or is it just a good for the price?

My criteria would be midrange clarity and low odd-order distortion (I wouldn't push it below 300 or 400 hz).

Dan

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGiPnsFZAqM

[earthtodan]

Re: Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

Hey Dan

I'm using a pair right now from 300hz and up. They're really quite good. It's tough to answer your question though cause everything is relative to price. It's not a scan speak midrange and tweeter in one. Buts I'd take these over some of the mark audio stuff I've heard. And definitely over the fostex I've heard and used. I've measured them to be quite flat and extended all the way to 20khz. My only complaint is the treble is unforgiving. Not that it gives all the detail of bad recordings rather that it must have a little bit of cone breakup that can grind on your ears a bit. If the high frequencies in a recording are already a bit hot, they're gonna be overly hot and not laid back. Midrange is great.

Thanks, I'll keep them in my basket, and hopefully they'll still be in stock by the time I place an order. I'll use them when the inspiration strikes.

It sounds like they could use a little active processing to figure out how to tame the shrill.

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGiPnsFZAqM

Pretty impressive! Is that project posted on the forum?

[thekorvers]

Re: Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

Pretty impressive! Is that project posted on the forum?

Not on this forum:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-range/200912-nanotower-tang-band-w3-881si.html

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

Get this out of the way first: there is no strict correlation between a drivers price and its performance, but there seems to be between price and confirmation bias. Then again, I am jaded.

The little Tang Band is not bad at all - well worth using. Given that it uses a neo motor and costs under $10 this day and age is a bonus My daughter listens to them almost every day paired with an older Sony AVR and a 6.5" buyout based subwoofer.

[fastbike1]

Re: Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

These are also worth thinking about. Used in several similar builds. Also used as midrange in several builds.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=264-1062

[gychang]

Re: Tang Band W3-881SI: Great fullrange, or just great for the price?

ordered 8 more... see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_QXNTraQdE (camera mic is poor, sound very good). build is chronicalled here: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/full-...81si-nice.html

I plan to try in a ufonken cabinet next... Excellent speakers for the price