|
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. It has also begun
selling a line of subwoofer plate amplifiers - see
Appendix D. There are currently four
available drivers, fabricated by Eminence, all of which have been recommended:
- The AV3, a shielded 3"
mid/bass. Obviously, you can't expect too much deep bass from a 3" driver, but
you can get down to 71 Hz in a vented enclosure. Working within its limits, it
is, by all accounts, a very capable driver.
view
response
- The AV8, a shielded 8" woofer.
This is welcome news since there are very vendors offering shielded drivers
larger than 6.5". The FR of the AV8 is exceptionally flat below 1 kHz, with
excellent bass extension - as befits its high-end heritage. It does, however,
have a peak around 2 kHz which must be a factor in any successful crossover
design.
view
response
- The Shiva mk.III 12" subwoofer.
This is a 2nd generation improvement version of Adire's original extremely high
excursion driver which has found its way into a number of DIY designs. All of
my respondents have been generally impressed with its audio quality and
thunderous low bass.
front view
rear view
distortion
- The Tempest 15" subwoofer is the
"big brother" to the Shiva. All Shiva comments apply, only more so!
view
response
- The Tumult 15" subwoofer is
Adire's "statement" driver. As such, it differs from the Tempest in using the
best technology they have to offer, including their patented XBL
2 motor technology (view their white
paper here).
Like the Tempest, it offers extreme excursion, low Fs and moderate Qts. In
addition, it offers 1,600 Watt power handling. For all this, it's not
cheap, though, so the lower-tech Tempest may offer better value.
view
- The Maelstrom 18"
subwoofer is the largest member of the Adire lineup. Like many 18" and larger
drivers, the Maelstrom is best suited to vented enclosures. It offers an
excellent Vd/cost ratio.
rear view
|
.
