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Use a car woofer for home audio cabinet.. any downside?

QUESTION—I need a replacement 12” woofer for a large volume enclosure. A REL Britannia B1

I know the T/S parameters of the old driver which is helpful. I have been shopping and see a huge range of prices from $40-$1000. Seems like a suitable replacement is $400+ if I were to go with a home audio driver.

What I was wondering is what about CAR stereo woofers? I see a ton of 12” car stereo woofers that are extremely well built (sometimes better than home audio), have good parameters, and are at a lower price. The only downside is that they are DUAL VOICE COILS, DVC. I know a DVC would have to be wired in series thus taking 2 ohm to 4ohm for example. Is there any downside to a car audio woofer? Any downside to merely connecting the 2 voice coils?

 

Thanks for your thoughts!


stevethe4th

Showing 2 responses by mattmiller

mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
Hello Steve, Have you called REL in Berkley CA? I would because the replacement driver for that speaker is now upgraded (beefier) and only costs around $400 (guessing). Replace with the new updated REL driver and keep your Britainia Series sub working great! I have a B2 and replaced mine for around $350 :-)


(510) 990-6005 REL in Berkeley Ca.


Matt M
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
The REL is not just about BASS, any sub/speaker can produce lows. The REL is special in that you hear the REL (it has a voice coil) and feel it. You will loose this magic playing around with the sub. I purchased my new driver replacement from REL in CA about a year ago.

P.S. Steve you have a special sub in the Britiania B1, they dont make them any more and the new ones I would not even buy. These subs (B1/B2) were made in REL’s prime years. Imo.


Matt M
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