DSK, I guess of the drivers I mentioned, and aside from some of the newer Usher woofers, I'd prefer the paper cone Scan Speak units. I think if the crossover point is low enough they are not too bad. That is a lot of cone mass to be throwing around. By my comparisons to other woofers the upper end resolution just wasn't quite as good.
The real disappointing thing was that when I finished up this design...
I A/Bed it next to a pair of our A/V-2's. Granted the A/V-2 had better caps in it and was well burned in, but the comparison was way too close. Differences were marginal at best. Considering the cost differences in the drivers it was embarrassing.
The cost was a major put off. $200 plus per woofer? Give me a break. They don't cost that much to build.
I can have a sample of one just like it here in about 10 days if I was interested in it. I can have it made anyway I want it, with pretty much any motor structure design, and the same cone from the same vender. I can get it for about 1/10 of the price too.
Trafford, There is a pretty serious version of the X-LS coming out in a few months. It is the X-LS EX version. It will be a really serious mini-monitor, look nice, and cost $299 a pair plus shipping. This has a really good tweeter in it too. Easily as good as a Scan Speak 9500 or Usher 9950. Add a cap upgrade to it and a sheet of No Rez, and I'd put it up against any mini monitor out there. It would be a good one to consider. Yes I designed it, but I have designed a lot of speakers, and this one really is that good.
With the money saved you could add a small sub too.
What experience do you have with the PHL drivers?
I used to be a dealer for them and have worked with most of the 6.5" models, 8 ohms and 16 ohms. They are pretty nice overall. I wouldn't pick them over our M-165X though, especially considering the price.