Single-driver speakers split into many categories. Some want high-efficiency, some just want tone, while other may look for crystal-clear sound stage coherency.
The music you listen to adds to the equation. Do you need to "feel" helicopter blades in slo-mo (Matrix...) or you're fine with a less extended but well-defined double-bass notes in Jazz ensembles. Do you really need a flat response to 20KHz when your tired old ears hardly tell the presence of a very low-level 12KHz fifth harmonic. These are all very subjective sonic values that each listener has to decide on his/her own.
Every speaker that I've heard in my long audio search has some compromises. The question in my mind is always whether the set of compromises in a particular product are the best for me.
Some may find perfection in beautiful Teresonic with a Lowther driver, despite some "shouting" here and there. Some find their peace with a Frugel Horn with a less efficient MarkAudio driver. Other resort to vintage drivers in custom enclosures and possibly tolerate more distortion at higher sound levels.
I'll end the post with a recipe that worked great for me. I read about the Coral Holey Basket on GlowInTheDark audio site and was intrigued by a smallish driver. Tried it for myself and was not happy with its bass response but while reading I discovered the larger 4" brother, the Sony 211-12 out of a TC-630 reel-to-reel. Yes, it's old, it's paper cone, it's a cost-limited commercial driver. It also supports AlNiCo magnets and a 16 ohm coil (more turns!) which is a powerful motor, all for driving a light 4" paper cone. Whether Coral or Sony intended or not, the result is really an outstanding full-range driver. It's not a perfect driver and you'll be able to tell its (minor) limitations if you listen carefully but its dynamic/transient response results in an amazing tone.
I tried it in easy to find cabinets and settled on a Celestion F2, with the tweeter and crossover disconnected, of course. While these speakers will easily run with a small tube amp, I have a more recent Onkyo A-5VL that drives them perfectly. You'll never think of a class-D being a compromise after hearing this combo.
I listen to Jazz, rock, flamenco, pop, country, classical, opera, the whole nine yard... This speaker does the full range just fine, including very low electric bass guitar or double-bass notes. Midrange is great and high extension is more than enough (some find it excessive) for me, and I am a treble and high harmonics freak... (It's where the life is in the music...)
Soundstage is great and extends well beyond the speakers boxes (whas's that?!) from almost any position in a small living room.
If you're on the fence in regard to single drivers but want to try, this DIY project is an easy super low-cost recommendation. In my book it is the fine champagne on a real cheap beer budget!
