GoodSoundClub - Romy the Cat's Audio Site

In the Forum: Horn-Loaded Speakers
In the Thread: The African compression electromagnet drivers?

Post Subject: Try it you'll like itPosted by Kerry Brown on: 11/19/2013

Thank you Romy and congratulations on your website, it just keeps getting better and better all the time.

The RCA1428 is a great sounding driver on RCA multi-cell horns. Not that I like multi-cell sound. I have never heard an original 1428 on a tractrix or conical horn but my 1428-inspired B&Cs on AHhorns easily beat JBL375s on tractrix horns. No contest. My musician friends noticed the big step up immediately.

I would like to compare unmodified B&Cs to my f.c. version but not enough to buy a pair. From what Bill Woods says though, the DCM50 is definitely more than interesting.

The Cogent driver is not really a 1428 either, more of an upgraded version, same with the B&C driver I think. Try googling RCA1428B, and you'll find another 'clone' that looks more like the original 1428, that's made by Line Magnetics. They also make WE repro gear.

I attached a photo of the B&C DCM50 reinforced paper diaphragm, hopefully it will work.

Wolf calls his company Kilimanjaro because he spent time in Africa as a child but he lives in Bavaria. At least he did when he modified my drivers

I have never heard any of Von Langa's other drivers, he likes the Altec designs with multi cell horns so our tastes differ, but he does seem to know what he's doing with field coils. Apparently he's studied driver magnetics thoroughly and he's got some very sophisticated test gear. He sells some very cool looking complete systems too, mod deco style.

There is nothing slow about my modified DCM50s. The B&C drivers are more detailed, and 'faster' than 375s but have way better low frequencies. I have never heard any driver that sounds better. In fact nothing I have ever heard even comes close.

From what I understand the only reason high voltage motors were used on vintage drivers has to do with the existing power supplies, not sound quality. In any case, my 14V drivers sound wonderful. Dramatically better than 375s. No kidding. Maybe you should try a pair of stock DCM50s, I think you'd really like them.

Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site