The topic of compression drivers seems to fly under the radar, and despite the limited number of people who seem knowledgeable, very few audiophiles actually seem to use speakers based on compression drivers at home. Googling doesn't yield much info, especially any recent developments.
Due to richidoo's generosity, I've got my first pair of compression drivers in house (Radian 475PB), and I do believe they deserve far more attention. They sound VERY nice driven by my 300B SET.
0401201954_1585856903981 by
drjlo2, on Flickr
The most info I could dig up was some old threads in DIYAUDIO some 13 years ago
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/114481-horn-compression-drivers-music.htmlIf there have been significant changes and advances, please do share your experience here.
Here's a quoted text from above DIYAUDIO thread where "Daveis" compiled a collection of comments from many people:
========================================================
I scanned through some threads.
Can anyone add to this list of recommended horns?
B&C DE250
Radian 745/950pb 745P
Beyma CP25 CP380 CP380M
BMS 4540 4592nd neo 4540ND
JBL Alnico 2482
18 sound ?
TAD 2001
==============================
Radian 745 1.4 in. CD'
2NDA520
Radian 950pb with the BMS 4592nd, and the Radian plays in a other league.
jbl 2405
Brient had the TAD 4001 to compare with - he sold the TAD, and kept the Radian,
Instead of the JBL slot - look to the Beyma CP25
BMS 4540 tweeter going down to 1KHz,
used both small and large format BMS drivers and have to say they really aren't my idea of high fidelity.
Beyma CP380 LINK They sound better than the big dollar TAD's to me.
CP385/Nd.
love those 755Nds I got from you Duke.
distortion of the CP380M is practically negligible and predominantly 2nd order.
BMS neo compression drivers, and I think they are excellent. I would go so far as to say that they are all but unbeatable at that price range.
I've used Selenium, B&C, BMS, Radian and JBL. Here are my opinions, FWIW:
B&C: Great value for the money, great quality control. One of my favs.
BMS: IMHO their neo compression drivers are almost unbeatable. I think this is why JBL rebrands BMS drivers. Amazing sound and value.
Radian: After hearing all the positive feedback on Radian, I bought a pair. They don't measure the same. Is this a quality control problem? I don't know, because I bought mine used. But I never bought another pair, and stick to B&C and BMS now.
JBL: Hideously overpriced. If you don't mind buying used, you can get amazing deals on Ebay. I have a set of Alnico JBL compression drivers which are to die for. I had to replace the diaphragms with Radian, but now they work great (and they match!)
only reasonable choices are:
BMS 4540ND
B&C DE250
Beyma CP380M
BMS 4540
Phenolic sounds good. I like JBL 2482 and Eminence APT series.
Other than the B&C I can recommend the TAD 2001 (expensive) or the Emilar EC175 (out of production / business) or any of the Radians. The 18 sound horns are very good! Maybe they have an inexpensive non-metallic diaphragm compression driver for them? The little BMS drivers are probably less collered than the Selenium because they are polyester.. The Beyma CP380 is VERY good
think you will like the DE10 and the 18 sound horn XT120
FWIW, the stuff I have to work with:
Lambda TD15X ( I have 3 due to a shipping accident, may get another soon)
JBL 2123H
BMS 4540ND
DDS ENG 1-90
Radian 745P 16 ohm:
2125hz -6db LR 24