Size of Midrange Drivers


Why, in this day of super materials, do designers still use
mini midrange drivers?
Can we expect realistic dynamics from a five inch speaker?
My former Audio Artistry Dvorak's used dual eight-inch
midranges (D'Appolito config, paper cone) and sounded fine.
I'm thinking great dynamics = lots of air moved quickly.
I'd like to hear dual eight inch diamond coated berilium with 1000 watts behind them!
I think when we're at the point where the wave launch gives you a skin peel,
we'll be close to proper dynamics.
dweller

Showing 1 response by stampy

I was just re reading this interesting thread and would like to point out that when someone specifies a driver size, say 6.5 inches, that is not the size of the cone which is producing the wavelength. Drivers are specified by the basket size. Since all drivers are built a little differently, you have to find the true diameter of the radiating area and then simply use the speed of sound which is 13,514.17 inches per second at sea level.

So you'll find that, say, a driver is listed at being 6.5 inches, the radiating area will be around 137cm2 and the actual diameter of the cone is 5.19 inches. At sea level it starts beaming at 13,514.17/5.19=2600 Hz which is smack dab at the place where most dome tweeters have to be crossed over.

So that's why there are so many "6.5 inch" woofers out there. They just make it to the glory point with a 1 inch dome tweeter.

Which is not to say that there are some very pleasing speakers that have been made using larger midranges.

I listened to a 3 way horn hybrid speaker with a 15 inch woofer crossed over at 800 hz for 15 years until the woofer rotted away and I had to sell the thing for parts.  Lots of ways to skin a cat.