Go to…. Guidelines Adire AER ATD Audax Aura B&C Bandor Fertin Fostex German-Physiks Jordan Lowther Manger Morel PHL PHY-HP Pioneer RL Acoustique Seas Supravox Triangle

Vendor guidelines - Adire:

Adire is known as a manufacturer of high-end speaker systems. Since 1999, Adire has offered some of its custom designed drivers into the DIY market. Although not known for full-range drivers, Adire now produces two coaxial units. These are actually sold as "kits", comprising the driver and associated required crossover parts. These two have both been recommended: The HE10.1 driver consists of an Eminence Beta 10CX with an Adire-proprietary compression driver. This was Adire's first full-range and has been widely reviewed and praised.  front view   rear view   response   impedance  The HE12.1 driver consists of an Eminence Beta 12CX with an Adire-proprietary compression driver. This is Adire's second full-range. Although feedback on this one has been less than the HE10.1, the initial buzz is positive.  response   impedance

Adire distributors & dealers: North America Creative Sound Solutions and DIY Cable.com International: Direct from Adire

Vendor guidelines - AER:

AER is a German company which makes a well-respected Lowther clone, the MK-1. The MK-1 is priced comparably to the Lowther PM4, DX4, or EX4 series drivers - more than the Lowther DX3 or EX3, but less than the Reps R-1. view

AER distributors & dealers: Europe See the AER web site. Netherlands BD-Design. North America RL Acoustique and Tonian Labs

Vendor guidelines - ATD:

ATD is a French company which makes several well-reported unconventional drivers. One of these is a wide-range driver which competes directly with Triangle (also from Fance): The 17LB, compared with the Triangle T17FLV608, the 17LB is less expensive, but with a higher Fs and lower sensitivity. This suggests its use as a wide-range midrange driver rather than a full-range. In this application, its HF response out to 8 kHz would make it a natural choice for first-order crossovers. Alterntaively, it can be easily mated to one of ATD's ribbon tweeters (see Section 4) for a really nice compact mini-monitor.  view   in-system response

ATD distributors & dealers: North America E-Speakers. Norway Musical Transparency

Vendor guidelines - Audax:

Audax now makes several full-range drivers, small paper-coned conventional units useful mainly for multimedia applications or line source arrays. Accepting this limitation, many people have recommended them for such uses. All three units are shielded for use near a CRT. The 3" HP080M0 paper cone "woofer" has an Fs of 120 Hz, so it can't do much below 150 Hz, but its high end extends quite cleanly out to almost 10 kHz. There is still usable response at 20 kHz. This driver has reportedly been used successfully in arrays and as a multimedia driver.  view   response  The 3" AP100M4 is one of Audax's new line of polymer frame drivers. Using a paper cone and a shielded motor, this small full-range is similar in most respects to the HP080M0. Most comments therefore apply.  view   response

Audax distributors & dealers: North America Madisound, Martin Sound, Meniscus, Parts Express, Solen, Speaker City, and Zalytron Canada Q-Components (McBride) Australia ME Sound The Netherlands Speakerland/Speaker & Co and Remo Germany Hifisound, LSV, and Open Air Loudspeaker UK IPL Acoustics France HRD LYON. Spain La Casa de los Altavoces Poland Akkus

Vendor guidelines - Aura Sound:

Aura is a vendor of commercial sound (pro audio, sound reinforcement & stage), OEM,and autosound speakers. Recently, Aura has made a line of standard drivers available to the DIY market. This is good news since most Aura drivers (certainly all recommended drivers) use Aura's patened NeoRadial (motor) Technology (NRT). The NRT is an inherently shielded underhung design with outstanding performance. Of these,one has bee recommended for DIY use. The NS3-193-8-S43 3" extended range driver, although low in sensitivity at only 81 dB/2.83V/m, is an excellent choice for line sources or arrays.  view   response   impedance   distortion

Aura distributors & dealers: USA Madisound Canda Solen

Vendor guidelines - B&C:

B&C is an Italian company which has established a solid reputation for producing pro sound products offering excellent sound and good value. One of their specialties is coaxial drivers. One in particular has been recommended for home hi-fi use: The 8CX21 features an 8" paper cone woofer with a coaxially mounted Mylar® diaphragm compression tweeter. Although the individual section response graphs look problematic, when used with B&C's XO-1 crossover, the response is quite decent. A dedicated DIY-er with the time to invest could probably improve this even farther.  view   response

B&C distributors & dealers: International: See the B&C web site for local distributors. North America Northern Sound & Light Denmark CAD AUDIO DK

Vendor guidelines - Bandor:

Bandor drivers are closely related to Jordan's. This isn't suprising since both share a common heritage. Bandor's owner, Doreen Bance is the ex-wife of Ted Jordan and was awarded equal access to their joint intellectual property rights in their divorce settlement. While Ted Jordan's strength is design, Doreen Bance's strength is production. As of this writing, Bandor's drivers are more available than Jordan's. Although, like Jordan, Bandor makes drivers using curvilinear profile aluminum foil cones in a variety of sizes, only one of Bandor's driver families has been recommended. The Bandor 50 family comprises several 2" drivers, all similar to the Jordan JX53. These differ in impedance, Xmax, amd sensitivity. For a line array, choose whichever will provide the composite impedance and sensitivity that you require. The currently recommended drivers include: The Bandor 50ASW/4 is a 4 ohm version with an Xmax of 1.4 mm and a voltage sensitivity of 87.1 dB. view  The Bandor 50AFSW/8 is a 8 ohm version with an Xmax of 1.7 mm and a voltage sensitivity of 84.1 dB. view  The Bandor 50ADW/16 is a 16 ohm version with an Xmax of 2.3 mm and a voltage sensitivity of 81.2 dB. view

Bandor distributors & dealers: See the Bandor web site

Vendor guidelines - Fertin:

Fertin is a small volume French manufacturer. Visually similar to Lowther drivers, the Fertin full-range drivers (they also make a 12" and 15" woofer using simlar technology) are unique in that all but one use electromgnets rather than permanent magnets. All of these drivers require a 12 Volt @ 2 Amp power supply for their field coils. Although generally considered an "old" technology, field coils remain one of the most cost effective (compared to the AlNiCo magnets used by Lowther) means of generating a fully saturated magnetic field. The two full-range drivers are: The FLB20D40S 8" driver is the only Fertin driver to use conventional permanent magnets. Because of this, it's both smaller (11 vs. 15&nbsl;lbs) and less expensive ($250 vs. $650) then the field coil model. The down side is that most recommendations are for the field coil model (see below). The FLB20D40EX 8" driver is the field coil full-range model.  view

Fertin distributors & dealers: France Alcyon Electronique. North America D-Box

Vendor guidelines - Fostex:

Fostex is one of the better respected and often recommended names in full-range drivers. Information is sketchy, but they appear to be manufactured in Japan using unspecified technology. The drivers for which I have received recommendations and for which I have data are: FE108EΣ, a 4" conventional driver using a cone and phase plug-like dustcap made of banana pulp paper with an Fo of 77 Hz, a moderately low-Q driver with good sensitivity and output to 18 kHz.  view   response  FE167E, a 6.5" dual-cone shielded driver using a cone and phase plug-like dustcap made of banana pulp paper with an Fo of 51.5 Hz, a moderate-Q driver with high sensitivity and output to 20 kHz.  view   response  FE208EΣ, an 8" conventional driver using a cone and phase plug-like dustcap made of banana pulp paper with an Fo of 42 Hz, an extremely low-Q driver with high sensitivity and output to 18 kHz. The sensitivity and design of this unit as well as the preceding FE168EZ place them squarely in competition with Lowther.  view   response  FE206E, a conventional driver using an 8" principle cone and a whizzer cone, both made of banana pulp paper with an Fo of 39 Hz. An extremely low-Q driver with high sensitivity and output to 20 kHz, this is clearly an overachiever - a lowly stamped steel frame dual cone driver with performance far beyond what you might expect at its relatively low price.  view   response

Fostex distributors & dealers: USA Madisound Canada Solen Germany Hifisound France Haut-Parleurs Systems Sweden Hifi Kit Italy Studio M

Vendor guidelines - German-Physiks:

German-Physiks is a well-repsected manufacturer of extremely high-end systems based on its own DDD (Dicks-Dipole-Drive) bending wave driver, an evolutionary development of the Walsh full/wide range driver which first appeared in Ohm products in the early 1970's. The DDD is usable as either a wide-range driver from 200 Hz up or as a full-range driver, using rear horn loading. For more information, see German-Physiks' listing in Section 4

Vendor guidelines - Jordan:

E.J. Jordan is a highly regarded British manufacturer of both full-range and wide-range drivers using metal cone conventional technology. Their drivers are conventional in design and depend on a curved cone profile to achieve progressive decoupling at higher frequencies. Unlike other metal cone units, waterfall plots provided by the manufacturer reveal little evidence of metal cone resonance or breakup within the audio band. All of their drivers have been recommended, so here's the rundown on the line: The JX53 tweeter is "only" good up to around 18 kHz, but extends down to 300 Hz. As noted in Section 2, its low sensitivity makes it somewhat unsuitable for individual use, but ideal for mid/treble line arrays. Also see the quite similar Bandor model 50 drivers.  face view   angle view   response   impedance   phase   waterfall  The JX92S, a shielded 5" full-range with an Fo of 45 Hz, designed for near field monitor or surround sound applications. This role is enhanced by a deliberate lift in the top octave FR to achieve flat power response off-axis. This unit uses ferrofluid for cooling and to help damp the metal cone resonance.  view   response   phase   waterfall   impedance

Jordan distributors & dealers: UK and elsewhere E.J. Jordan North America Creative Sound Solutions Italy Studio M Germany Hifisound

Vendor guidelines - Lowther:

As has been previously noted, there are lots of religious issues in speakers. Dipolar vs. monopolar radiation, planar vs. conventional, soft domes vs. metal domes, etc. - all have there adherents. It also happens that some companies inspire religious devotion. Good examples are Magnepan and Quad. Lowther is a British manufacturer of full-range drivers which not only has achieved religious status, but actively promotes itself as such. You will find web sites for Lowther clubs scattered all over Europe. Each is dedicated to the religion that the Only True Way to build speakers is to use relatively small full-range drivers, horn loading the back wave. Many have bought into this religion (Lowther drivers aren't cheap!) and proudly share their designs with each other at these local Lowther clubs. Some of the pictures posted on the web are truly impressive (and/or bizarre). Lowther makes 3 main series of speakers: The A series uses Alnico magnets. Alnico is one of the best magnet materials, and easy to form into the complex shapes Lowther uses. Unfortunately, Alnico is extremely expensive. Of the A series, the PM2A has been recommended as best all-around and best value. The PM5A and PM6A are higher end units that compete with the Lowther DX and EX series (see below). Lowther recommends the PM4A only for use with front (and possibly back) loaded horns, although I've received at least one recommendation for it as best all-around. The "A" series also has two 6.5" drivers which are recommended for use only above 80 Hz.  view  The C series uses ceramic magnets. Cheaper and with less attractive magnetic properties than Alnico, ceramic magnets are used to implement Lowther's "bargain" line. The "C" series also has two 6.5" drivers which are recommended for use only above 80 Hz.  6.5" view 1   6.5" view 2  The DX series uses rare earth magnets. This is a new series, offering many of the advantages of Alnico, but at a slightly reduced cost. This is probably a good move since the continued international shortage of cobalt (the "co" in Alnico) insures that Alnico will only continue to increase in cost. The "DX" series also has two 6.5" drivers which are recommended for use only above 80 Hz.  9" view 1   9" view 2   6.5" view 1   6.5" view 1  The EX series is the latest from Lowther. In most repsects similar to the DX series, the EX series incorporates a pressure chamber behind the cone and other internal modifications of the originhal DX design. Because of the rear chamber, the EX driver cannot be used in several classic Lowther enclosure designs due to mounting interference problems.  view 1   view 2  Lowther purists generally dismiss the "C" series other than the 6.5" drivers for special applications. Most of the published Lowther projects use "A" series drivers, but recent reports indicate that the DX and EX series may be used as well, and are probably superior in many applications. All Lowther drivers share some common characteristics: 1) they are extremely efficient, 2) they each are rated at 100 W, 3) each uses a dual paper cone design, 4) each has a maximum VC travel of +/-1 mm. (sic!), and 5) each is bloody expensive for a relatively small paper woofer with a whizzer cone and limited excursion. These all reflect the Lowther design philosophy. Only one VC is used per driver, thus obviating problems caused by crossovers and assuring accurate time and phase alignment. The special rolled (not formed) paper is extremely thin and light weight. The design is implemented as a 3-way: a) the radiation from the VC edge radiates directly into the annulus between the phase plug and the whizzer cone, b) the whizzer cone handles the wide midrange, and c) the main cone handles the bass. The "crossover" is via mechanical decoupling between the radiating elements. The VC's are wound with ferric materials rather than copper or aluminum (silver wire is available as an extra cost option on some models). Lowther claims this improves the magnetic circuit performance. Efficiency is high. Lowther's stated goal is that each of its drivers should be able to play around 100 dB in an actual listening room with as little as 1 watt of power. Lowther's magnetic circuits are unique in the current market. The size, weight, and flux density of the magnets are enormous for the size of cone. The obvious major question here is how to get any real bass out of a 9" driver with only +/-1 mm excursion? The answer is that most successful Lowther designs horn load the back wave of the driver, effectively turning it into a compression driver in the lowest octaves. On the other hand, others claim good results with Lowther's in vented enclosures, but many others who've heard such systems say that a good subwoofer is required for any serious bass. This makes sense- if the maximum VC excursion is indeed +/-1 mm, significant bass below 100 Hz simply isn't physically possible (although I don't know of anyone who's actually verified the factory's 1 mm figure). Recommended drivers include: PM6A, the bargain beginner's Lowther. FR is rated as 30-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 96 dB.  view 1   view 2  PM2A, the middle of the "A" series range. FR is rated as 30-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 97 dB.  view  PM5A, the top of the "A" series range. FR is rated as 30-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 98 dB.  view 1   view 2  PM4A, as previously noted, is simlar to other A series drivers, but is specifically designed for use in front loaded horn enclosures. Sensitivity is rated at 98 dB.  view 1   view 2  DX45, is the lesser of the two 6.5" "DX" series drivers. FR is rated as 80-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 93 dB. Note that the DX series 6.5" drivers are a better value overall than either the A or C series 6.5" drivers.  view  DX55, is the top the 6.5" "DX" series drivers. FR is rated as 80-22k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 94 dB. Note that the DX series 6.5" drivers are a better value overall than either the A or C series 6.5" drivers.  view 1   view 2  DX3, once the top of the "DX" series, the DX3 is still an good value for someone wishing a top-of-the-line Lowther, but who can't quite afford the DX4. FR is rated as 30-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 98 dB.  view  DX4, the top of the "DX" series, utilizing a "Lowther phase equalizer" in lieu of its usual phase plugs. FR is rated as 30-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 99 dB.  view 1   view 2  EX3, essentially an upgraded DX3 with additional damping on the rear of the driver, mated to a compatible phase plug. FR is rated as 30-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 98 dB.  front view   rear view  EX4, essentially an upgraded DX3 with additional damping on the rear of the driver, mated to a compatible phase plug. FR is rated as 30-20k Hz and sensitivity is rated at 99 dB.  front view   rear view

Lowther distributors & dealers: North American Lowther America and Classic Audio Germany Hifisound Taiwan THL Audio and DIY HiFi Supply

Vendor guidelines - Manger:

Manger is the premier DIY source of wide-range bending wave transducers. See their description in Section 4 on unconventional drivers.

Vendor guidelines - PHL:

Respected French manufacturer PHL make one true coaxial plus a number of coaxial woofers, designed with an open throat to accept a compression driver at the apex of the cone. Coaxial woofers are covered in more detail in Section 11. In this section, I will list only those units which you can buy pre-configured as coaxial full/wide range drivers. The 1240TWX is equivalent to a model 1230 16 ohm 6.5" mid/bass driver with a coaxially mounted 8 ohm dome tweeter. The recommended crossover is 2nd order at 3 kHz.  view

PHL distributors & dealers: North America Zalytron and E-Speakers Australia W.A.R. Audio

Vendor guidelines - PHY-HP:

PHY-HP, located in France, is among the pre-eminent manufacturers of full-range drivers. Lovely to look at and extremely expensive, PHY-HP drivers can never be confused with any others due to their unique lead-free bronze frame. All three of their full-range drivers have been recommended: The H21LB15 is an 8" full-range that can be used in many of the same applications as a Lowther driver. Lacking the Lowther's whizzer cone, it's bass and excursion are better than the Lowther, while its high end is less extended.  view   response  The H30LB15 is a 12" full-range, in most respects similar to the H21LB15 above. Due to its larger diameter, it lows are even lower and high end even less extended than the H21LB15.  view   response  The KM30 is a 12" full-range which includes a coaxially mounted piezoelectric supertweeter. The gives it the extended low-end of the H30LB15, above, without sacrificing the high end. The acoustic centers of the woofer and piezo tweeter are time-aligned for more accurate performance.  view   response

PHY-HP distributors & dealers: International: See the web site. Italy Studio M North America Tonian Labs

Vendor guidelines - Pioneer:

Pioneer is one of the largest OEM suppliers of drivers in the world. Not many of their drivers are sold to the DIY market. Those which are available to DIY'ers usually don't compete well, except on price, against other top brands. Cheapness can be a virtue, though, since Pioneer makes a full-range driver that competes well against Lowther and other high-end European full-range drivers. The B20FU20-51W is an 8" dual cone full range with good sensitivity, reasonable response, and attractive pricing.

Pioneer distributors & dealers: North America Martin Sound, MCM, and Speaker City

Vendor guidelines - RL Acoustique:

Although designed for their own line of single driver loudspeaker systems, RLA sells their unique driver. Be forewarned, though, it's extremely expensive! The RL Acoustique REPS R-1 driver is the ultimate development of the Lowther design philosophy and will appeal to the same audience. Expensive, even by Lowther standards, the R-1's cost is justified by its enormous Alcomax 5 magnet. The R-1 may be used as a drop-in replacement in many Lowther designs, to better effect, by most accounts. RL Acoustique sells this driver used in its own Lamhorn 1.8 Loudspeaker system.  view

RL Acoustique distributors & dealers: See the RL Acoustique web site

Vendor guidelines - Seas:

Seas makes three "coaxial" (actually coincident) drivers. These combine existing frames and cones from other Seas mid/bass drivers and add a fabric dome tweeter equivalent to a 25TFFN/G at the apex of the cone. The small tweeter is made possible by the use of a neodymium magnet and ferrofluid cooling. The prices are reasonable, the build quality is high, and the results are among the best for coincident drivers. The two 6.5" drivers are also available in magnetically shielded versions for home theater use. The H487 (MP14RE COAX/F) 5.5" wide-range driver combines a filled PP cone LF cone with a 1" fabric dome tweeter. The H489 (P17REX COAX/F) 6.5" full-range driver combines a filled PP cone LF cone with a 1" fabric dome tweeter. The H653 (P17RE COAX/TVF) 6.5" full-range driver is similar to the H489, except shielded for use in home theater applications. The H723 (T17REX COAX/F) 6.5" full-range driver combines a clear PP cone LF cone with a 1" fabric dome tweeter. The H825 (T17RE COAX/TVF) 6.5" full-range driver is identical to the H723, except shielded for use in home theater applications.  crossover  The H1144 (T18RE COAX/TVFC) 7" full-range driver is an update to (therefore similar to) the H825, but with a slightly lower Q and a newer tweeter.  view   raw response   system response

Seas distributors & dealers: North America Madisound, Solen, and Zalytron The Netherlands Speakerland/Speaker & Co and Remo Germany I.T. Electronic and UK IPL Acoustics and Williams Hart France HRD LYON Spain AudioXcel Australia NQLD

Vendor guidelines - Supravox:

The French are among the most prolific suppliers of full-range speakers. One of the best is Supravox. Supravox makes a number of drivers in three series - Classic, 2000, and 2000 EXC. The three series differ in motor design. The Classic drivers are the least expensive and use ceraminc magnets. The 2000 series are consdierably more expensive and use Alnico magnets. The 2000 EXC series is identical to the 2000 series except that it uses an electromagnet rather than a permanent magnet. This has a couple of interesting implications… First of all, the driver will not work without a DC power supply for the motor field coil. Secondly, by adjusting the field coil voltage, you have electrical control over Qts. Supravox has one welcome spec when compared to Lowther and its clones - respectable Xmax values. The following Supravox drivers have been recommended: The 8" 215 RTF should look familiar to fans of other wide/full range drivers, having a traditional paper cone with a whizzer cone. As one of the Classic series, it's one of Supravox's least expensive drivers. Unlike other similar drivers, it has a useful +/-4 mm Xmax. Supravox sells a more expensive version of the driver, the 215 Signature Bicone, but it's hard to justify its higher cost - and espcially so considering the Signature Bicone's 0.8 Qts.  front view   rear view   response in open baffle  The 6.5" 165 LB is a conventional single paper cone driver. Also one of the Classic series, it's a bargain compared to other well-respected 6.5" full/wide range drivers.  front view   rear view   response in open baffle  In all respects except its higher Xmax, the 8" 215-2000 is most similar to the better Lowther and AER drivers - paper cone, phase plug, low Q, high efficiency, Alnico magnet, and high price. As such it's an excellent candidate for any applications which might suit these other drivers.  front view   rear view   response in TQWT  The 8" 215-2000 EXC is in most respects identical to the 215-2000 above. One important difference is that is uses an electromagnet field coil. Varying the nominal 8-12 volt field coil voltage will adjust Qts from 0.344 to 0.26 and Vas from 97.8 to 102 liters. It also differs from its Alnico cousin in eschewing the whizzer cone.  front view   rear view   response in TQWT  Arguably the most fascinating driver is the 15" 400-2000 EXC woofer. Again, this uses an electromagnet field coil so Qts and Vas are adjustable. As with other Supravox drivers, it features a paper cone. Unlike other drivers of its size, Xmax is only +/-5 mm. Did I mention that it's very expensive?  front view   rear view   response

Supravox distributors & dealers: North America Supravox USA Italy Mantra Sound Russia Oleg Kuksenok International: Also see the Supravox web site

Vendor guidelines - Triangle:

Triangle is a highly respected French manufacturer of high-quality wide-range drivers. Their driver of greatest interest to the DIY community is the T17FLV608. Using a paper cone and rubber surround, this 7" driver is about all you could ask in a conventional unit. Its large phase plug and curvilinear profile cone give it useful response to 15 kHz on-axis and to 10 kHz off-axis. Efficiency and impedance (94 dB/W/m and 12 ohms nominal) are well suited to low power tube/valve amplifiers.  drawing   response   impulse

triangle distributors & dealers: North America Zalytron Australia W.A.R. Audio

©1998-2007 by Bob Stout, all rights reserved

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