[Early B.]

I'm researching 12-inch mid-woofers (not subwoofers!) for a potential cost-no-object, DIY, 2-way, "mega monitor" design project (sealed or ported midsection, horn up top). The driver doesn't need to cover the lower octaves.

1. What characteristics and technical specs should one seek for an "audiophile-quality" 12-inch mid-woofer? For instance, does neodymium typically sound better?

2. Do you have any recommendations for specific drivers?

Thanks.

 

[FullRangeMan]

In this exactly app you mentioned my fave are the famous Beyma 12K200, very smooth freq response til 3k Hz and 99dB, a winner, use 70L BR box or bigger.

[Tyson]

The Acoustic Elegance drivers are the best I've heard in an OB speaker:

Twelve Inch driver:
https://aespeakers.com/shop/dipole/dipole12/

Fifteen Inch Driver:
https://aespeakers.com/shop/dipole/dipole15/

There's a reason they sound so good - their level of distortion is less than half of any other drivers I've seen.  And they are designed from the ground up for optimal OB implementation. 

And, the worlds lowest distortion midwoofer deserves to be mated with the worlds lowest distortion tweeter, the Beyma horn loaded AMT:

https://aespeakers.com/shop/dipole/dipole12/

I heard this exact setup over at Steven Stone's house, driven by a small 30 watt Pass amp and it might have been the very best imaging, soundstaging and just plain 'real' sounding I've ever heard.  Just astonishingly good. 

[WGH]

You can always go with a classic. The JBL L88 was the 2-way version of the L100. I bought a pair of L88 Nova's in 1972 and converted them to L100's not long after. Still going strong, the 12" drivers are indestructible because there is no foam to rot. Yes, the original 123A drivers in the L88 and L100 were run full range. The 2213H replacements can still be found. Dennis Murphy has crossover mods.

The 123A/2213H 12" driver has solid tight bass down to 40 Hz then rolls off quickly.

The one thing that has always mystified me was the really low sensitivity. Over the years I discovered the JBL L100 needed more power than I could ever afford in 1972, 125-200 watts made the speakers come alive. Not the recommended driver for a low power/high efficiency system.

[mresseguie]

Hi, Early B.

That sounds like an exciting project. This link won't directly answer your question, but it may provide you with ideas for your speaker project. There's a guy named Joseph Crowe who designs horn speakers. He builds them, and (for a small fee) provides build plans. I suspect you might enjoy perusing his website and/or his YouTube videos.   

https://josephcrowe.com/

Have fun!

Michael

[Rusty Jefferson]

Does it need to be 12" because of a high crossover point? Are you using a smallish compression driver?

If making a top notch 2 way I'd use the JBL 2216ND-1 a 15" woofer and a 4" (probably Beryllium domed) compression driver crossed over at about 750hz. Think JBL M2 or 4367 which is essentially what JBL implemented with it, one model active and one passive. Excellent woofer for a 2 way.

A pair of Crowe wood horns on top would be pretty special.

[Early B.]

Does it need to be 12" because of a high crossover point? 

It needs to be at least a 12" or 15" driver with high sensitivity because I think they'll sound "bigger" and more dynamic than typical 6.5" or 8" midrange drivers. There may be a myth in the audio community that bigger drivers are inherently "slower" and don't perform as well, in general, as smaller midrange drivers.
 

[roscoe65]

It is hard to beat an Altec 414.  The 414A will run from 50-4,000hz with no crossover.  The later 414D is not quite as smooth, but may provide better midbass.  The 414A may be one of the best midrange drivers ever made.

Throw in a 802 horn driver and 32B horn and you have an Altec 9849 control room monitor.

Power is limited to 25 or 50 watts.  These will rock out but will break if you treat them like PA drivers.

[Rusty Jefferson]

It needs to be at least a 12" or 15" driver with high sensitivity because I think they'll sound "bigger" and more dynamic than typical 6.5" or 8" midrange drivers. There may be a myth in the audio community that bigger drivers are inherently "slower" and don't perform as well, in general, as smaller midrange drivers.

Agreed. The 2216ND-1 should be on your list of possibilities then. You might be able to demo a pair of 4367 to get a feel for them.

[FullRangeMan]

It needs to be at least a 12" or 15" driver with high sensitivity
One 15'' woofer always better than two 12'' due just one VC.
So you could check the Beyma 15P80FeN
https://www.beyma.com/speakers/Fichas_Tecnicas/beyma-altavoces-hoja-tecnica-baja-media-frecuencia-15P80FeN.pdf

To have a single point source there is the Beyma 15CXA400Fe
https://www.beyma.com/speakers/Fichas_Tecnicas/beyma-altavoces-hoja-tecnica-coaxial-15CXA400Fe.pdf

[Early B.]

The Acoustic Elegance drivers are the best I've heard in an OB speaker:

Twelve Inch driver:
https://aespeakers.com/shop/dipole/dipole12/

Fifteen Inch Driver:
https://aespeakers.com/shop/dipole/dipole15/

There's a reason they sound so good - their level of distortion is less than half of any other drivers I've seen.  And they are designed from the ground up for optimal OB implementation. 

And, the worlds lowest distortion midwoofer deserves to be mated with the worlds lowest distortion tweeter, the Beyma horn loaded AMT:

https://aespeakers.com/shop/dipole/dipole12/

I heard this exact setup over at Steven Stone's house, driven by a small 30 watt Pass amp and it might have been the very best imaging, soundstaging and just plain 'real' sounding I've ever heard.  Just astonishingly good.

I've had my eye on these drivers for a long time. I like the open baffle concept. It also makes the cabinet easier to design and build. It would be cool to design the top platform of the mid-woofer with the ability to angle the horn-loaded tweeter to ear level or wherever it sounds best in the room. Tough decision because I also like the AE TD15M in a sealed or ported box for a different sound than OB. Not sure if the Apollo upgrade is worth the additional $150 per driver:  http://aespeakers.com/Apollo.php

Whoa -- how about a transformers style box that can convert to open baffle with swappable crossovers? 

[lokie]

I'll second Rocso- the 414 with an Altec 32 horns is a wonderful combination.

https://hifihaven.org/index.php?threads/altec-2-way-build-ala-jelabs-802-32-414.3452/