[neobop]

Has anybody heard this new driver?
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-894&FTR=264-894&CFID=21446693&CFTOKEN=10088590

Response looks smoother than many others I've seen. There's another version with 95dB SPL and Qts .27:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-893&FTR=264-893&CFID=21446693&CFTOKEN=10088590

I'm thinking of building some new, more efficient speakers. The 95dB ones might be good in a more conventional reflex box.

[DanH]

There are many discussions on the drivers. I own the W8-1808. I use it in a large bass reflex box. I am really enjoying them. I am sure you would like either driver. Bob Brines has a nice design for the W8-1772. http://brinesacoustics.com/Pages/TT-2000/Main.html 

[neobop]

Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear you're really into these speakers. In the past, I always felt that a tweeter would be necessary for that high end detail. I guess I could always add one later, if I felt the need. Maybe I'll look into it further.

[DanH]

I actually have rear firing helper tweeters in my enclosures but I have never felt compelled to hook them up with these drivers. They have a nice combination of smoothness and detail. I can listen to them all day with no listening fatigue.

[neobop]

That is intriguing. I've only heard a couple of full range speakers and I felt they could use a little help with the high end. Response plots look aggressive past 2K, on some of the newer, more extended drivers.

I've just worked out crossover changes on my main speakers and they're sounding good, so it's not urgent. I'm now using ribbon tweeters with a 7" Eaton woofer, loaded in an 8" PVC straight pipe.

The 1808 driver looks like it would have good response down to around 40Hz in a big reflex cab. Before these came out, I was thinking about a 10" or 12" Audio Nirvana cast frame in an even bigger reflex cabinet. I just kind of assumed I'd add an Aurum Cantus tweeter.

I like my speakers, but this is really motivated by my dislike of preamps. If I give up the preamp gain, when playing records I will need a little more efficiency from the speakers.