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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Natural Remedies for Sick Speakers?

Post Subject: Updating the Gray MatterPosted by Paul S on: 8/23/2010

OK, Petar, I was finally able to take some time yesterday to focus and meditate on this. I remembered a host of "old" drivers from my past (not old at the time...) that, if memory serves, sounded rather muffled and slow, with humped response, as "heard" in my present situation, according to my present demands. Where does one find data sheets (response and impedance curves, efficiency ratings, etc.) for this stuff, to at least be able to separate the wheat from the chaff ahead of time? It seems overwhelming to just round up stuff and install everything if it is not necessary. If you are worried about a stampede, feel free to e-mail me.

I also went back to look at the pictures you posted, and those drivers look rather like some of the old radio speakers, most of which I remember as soft, with a decidedly humped response. Also, many of these drivers only rate 5 Watts, and/or they are at or under 4 Ohms, and most are closer to 90 dB than 98 dB. I realize there were much more powerful "pro" drivers, as well, but I have not heard many of those, apart from some American made, and in any case more power seems to fly in the face of what you have been preaching, so far. I can imagine using, say, a 4" driver over a 10" and not asking anything under 2.5k or so from the 4". But even the 4" drivers of that time did not really go all that high, or they did not do it well, as I recall, so even with a 4" mid there would remain the need for a real tweeter. Looking at the "ragged tweeter" you shared, I am curious how you keep the cone/coil centered in the gap. You say the cone is now 55mm. What size did it start out?

Now that I have thought about it, I can also recall the noisy frames on many of those drivers. I guess that's something else to deal with...

Best regards,
Paul S

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