Visaton b200 driver advice.

goodguys · « **on:** 13 May 2018, 07:42 am »

Hi And thanks for reading this post.

Had a problem, my amp blew and took my speakers with it. Totally gutted. They were made using visaton b200 drive units.
I am thinking whether to buy visatons again or can anybody give me any advice on upgrades. I read about the Dayton Audio PS220-8, which are supposed to be better and cheaper as well, or does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions at all. I was using the visatons as mids from 120hz upwards

Many thanks.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 May 2018, 11:50 am »

deleted

planet10 · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 May 2018, 10:02 pm »

The PS220 has an edge if the B200s are stock, but adding phase plugs to the B200 transforms their performance and would make things much, much closer.

The B200 has a highish Q, and it is not likely at all that the PS220 will work in a box designed for the B200.

More details on the box?

dave

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 May 2018, 10:26 pm »

Dayton say this driver goes so hi as 25kHz usable range!!
However the chart goes only to 20kHz...

Seems a nice driver and inexpensive $119.75
https://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/specs/PS220-8%208_%20Point%20Source%20Full-Range%20Neo%20Driver%20Specification%20Sheet.pdf

goodguys · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 May 2018, 06:08 am »

I was using the visatons as open baffle, on a 30" x 30" board, with damping material stuck to the back and the phase plugs mods as well.

It sounds like the dayton audios would not be much of an improvement, if any.

Any recommendations what to do next? Do you think i should buy more of the visatons, or are there any other drivers I should be looking at. I did like the sound of the visatons, but felt they were lacking in a few areas.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 May 2018, 10:49 pm »

I cant say what to do, but I liked the Dayton mainly it already have phase plug and neodymium magnet what is a plus over Ferrite, the kevlar reinforced paper cone also nice.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ps220-8-8-point-source-full-range-neo-driver--295-346
You always can recone the B200 with a repair kit.

goodguys · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 May 2018, 06:37 am »

Hi. Thanks for the reply.
Did you manage to listen to both the dayton and the visaton driver, if so can you please tell me the differences between the two.

Where can i get the recone kit from.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 May 2018, 07:10 am »

If you can do the cone change a Visaton authorizad dealer maybe can order a kit for you, or maybe you should send the driver to them for repair and new warranty.
http://www.visaton.de/en/vertrieb
Unfortunately I have listen none, but various members here know the B200 first hand.

goodguys · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 May 2018, 07:23 am »

What do you think of the performance capabilities of the visaton b200 serving as a midrange only driver, no bass, cut off at 120hz.

I mean the driver has a good reputation, and i have dampened the rear and inserted phase plugs. Would it be a waste of time searching for a potentially better driver as the visatons may be so good that even if i found a better driver, the end result would be a marginal increase in sound quality. I am hoping for something more, or does the law of diminishing returns come into effect at this point. Sorry for rambling. Would it be better to spend the money in other areas.

planet10 · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 May 2018, 08:01 am »

That is an interesting idea.

The biggest problen with the B200 is that the Q is hi-enuff that one would normally suggest OB 1st. (I've tried that). But if you want to put them in a box the Q is an issue. You’d 1st think of infinte baffle — cut holes in the wall and use the next room as an enclosure. If they go into a smaller box you need ro make it aperiodic. Push the XO up to 200 to start to avoid the possible bass peak.

After seeing Joe Rassmussen’s B200 TL, i designed one of my own, to be damped until aperiodic. Its a centre channel.

I’ve got 4 EnABLed B200s i still haven’t decided on a project for them.

dave

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 May 2018, 09:23 pm »

Quote from: goodguys on 16 May 2018, 07:23 am

What do you think of the performance capabilities of the visaton b200 serving as a midrange only driver, no bass, cut off at 120hz.

Not in OB, but in a box it could sound nice, the usual cut is in 270Hz (4.7mH) in OB.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 May 2018, 10:05 pm »

planet10 · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 May 2018, 10:42 pm »

I was thinking that you would add a sealed box the width of the woofer cabinet and tall enuff to comfortably accomodate the B200 to the top of the box, drill holes in the back of it and damp the crap out of it. Even a semi-reasonable sealed box is over 200 litres.

dave

mcgsxr · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 May 2018, 11:45 pm »

I used b200’s with Planet_10 phase plugs on OB for 10years and really liked them.

You could Google the no longer built Omega speakers that used the Visaton b200 in an aperiodic enclosure and mock up a set.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 May 2018, 11:54 pm »

Quote from: mcgsxr on 16 May 2018, 11:45 pm

I used b200’s with Planet_10 phase plugs on OB for 10years and really liked them.

You could Google the no longer built Omega speakers that used the Visaton b200 in an aperiodic enclosure and mock up a set.

He intend use the B200 in OB for bass starting at 120Hz.

Quote from: goodguys on 16 May 2018, 07:23 am

What do you think of the performance capabilities of the visaton b200 serving as a midrange only driver, no bass, cut off at 120hz.

goodguys · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 May 2018, 07:10 am »

Hi. Thanks for the replies.

I see that most recommend an enclosure, i have tried them that way but much prefer the 3-D wide clean sound of OB. Sorry.
Would much prefer any advice in that direction.

What do you think? Should i buy more visatons to replace the blown ones, or can you recommend any ' better ' drivers

I have a multichannel set up, so is going to cost maybe a thousand dollars to refit. Before spending all that cash would love some advice on alternatives.

Thanks.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 May 2018, 08:51 am »

I did not suggest the B200 to OB why 120Hz is still bass freq.
Maybe this FR can sound good in 120Hz OB:
http://www.commonsenseaudio.com/an10classicspecs.jpg
It was positively tested here as OB full band no sub:
http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/audionirvana.html

opnly bafld · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 May 2018, 12:51 pm »

Most do not recommend an enclosure.

You are in the "enclosures" circle, there is also an "open baffle" circle.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=90.0

planet10 · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 May 2018, 10:19 pm »

Quote from: opnly bafld on 17 May 2018, 12:51 pm

Most do not recommend an enclosure.

Because the Qt is so high that any reasonable box is too big for most people. Or you cut off the bass and use as a midTweeter.

I have tried B200 OB (actually the only way i have heard it), as well as a number of other OBs. But i have always found that there is some common failing in all of them, a compromise i personally don’t like so i have gone back to well built/designed boxes.

dave

opnly bafld · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 May 2018, 10:32 pm »