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Driver suggestions for DIY project

I'm getting ready to build a set of monitors and need fairly effecient drivers for my Cary 2A3 15 wpc push-pull amp. I'm considering an MTM configuration with 5" or 6" mid-bass drivers. I don't need drivers with low base for this set-up. What I want is wide dispersion in all the drivers with efficiency of at least 89db.

I have decided on the Hiquophon OW1 tweeter but need mid base driver suggestions, or at least want to know what graph or Thiel-Small parameters I should look for to compare drivers. Others on this board have suggested that dispersion is mainly a function of driver size and crossover frequency. I'm designing the system to crossover at 2500 hz.

I have heard good things about the Focal mid-base drivers as well as PHL. PHL's are real efficient mainly due to to paper cones.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
bennett
eldragon
707 posts
 
I have experiance with Focal 7K4211DB, Kevlar midrange but is quite expensive. Another one i had built my Watt/Puppy clones with is Seas CB17RcY. Paper cone with phase plug. The same driver Wilson used in his Cub, that is also a MTM design. Good Luck!
elevick
2,439 posts
 
Try EJ Jordan drivers (FX92? I think is the model). Jordan drivers are similar to Fostex and Lowther but for much less money and no 1000hz hump like lowthers. The are not as efficient as lowthers but still pretty good. Range is essentially 100hz to 15khz. The have a little lower bass but do roll off.
This is what 47 Labs uses in their ultra expensive systems.
slappy
903 posts
 
Just remeber that drivers are rather specific to the size of box used. You might want to pick up a book on loudspeaker building, it will give you the formulas and information needed to match the drivers to the cabinet. Not just any driver will do. You definaatly dont want to be shoving a driver that needs 5 cubic feet of space into a 1.5CFT enclosure.

I would probably go with either scan speak drivers or focal drivers. Ive been doing alot of research on loudspeaker construction, im hoping to eventually make a living out of it, and Focal and Scan Speaks seem like some good drivers.

but be sure you have matched the drivers to the box size or you will be hammering the square peg through the round hole.
cdc
1,412 posts
 
I agree with elevick to at least consider Jordan. You can get Jordan or Tang-Band from creative sound
This site also lists DIY with Jordan drivers. I use Tang-Band W3-871S and it's very nice.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
The Jordan drivers are not very sensitive (have listened to them twice in different enclosures).

I realize that some are running them with approx. 25 watt chip and tube amps, but I consider this to be about as low (in power) as I would go with the Jordans (not including low powered Wavelength, top of the line Audion or other amps of similar quality).

Based on a conversation I once had with Ronnie (the owner of Carolina Audio) 15 watts would not be enough power to do them justice and this is why I did not end up with Jordan (JX-92s) based speakers when they first became popular a few years ago.

I am also familiar with the Cary push/pull 2a3 amp and it has no more drive than the push/pull 6bq5 amp I was considering using with the Jordans @ the time.
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