Is it ok to use this Hi-Vi B1S 1 inch tweeter for an array. I am planning to 49 pcs per side. What are the disadvantages? TIA

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=297-411&ctab=2#Tabs

Lito

I'll take a different viewpoint than JP's. A line of these might work. This driver is similar to the Aurasound NSW1-205-8A 1" Extended Range model sold by Madisound. The Aura's are, I think, akin to the small drivers used by MacIntosh Labs in their large line arrays.

You would think that the center to center spacing of these drivers would be a little too much to work well in a line array. But the ear is less sensitive to sounds in the upper octave (10-20 kHz) as seen from the Fletcher-Munson equal loudness contours. Plus our hearing tends to degrade in the upper octave as we age. Hence, the comb line phaseyness (if that is a word) becomes less apparent as move upward in frequency.

All that being said, you'll have a lot of holes to drill and a bunch of small connections to make. These issues plus the superior performance of either ribbon or planar drivers for the tweeter function in line arrays convince me to go that way for line arrays vs. numerous small dome drivers.

Jim

Thanks for your reply. I have finished an array using 16 NEO8 as tweeters. I am just curious how these HI-VI tweeters would compare with the Neo8 that is why I want to build them.I plan to use them in an open baffle and cross them low. They seem to cover the midrange too.I hope they work well.

Lito

Both the Neo8 and an array of the small Hi-Vi B1S will have a roll-off in their response in the 15-20 kHz area. The data that I've seen on the Neo 8 shows 5-6 dB roll off over this range. Keep in mind that the Neo 8 is more an extended mid-range driver while the Neo 3 is a true tweeter.

Assuming that the small HI-Vi drivers are closed back, I don't understand nor see any advantage why you want to used them open baffle. the driver will have no or little rear radiation. Of course you can cross them lower than most typical tweeters as you point out. A bunch of them will have enough movement capability to reasonably low for your application but remember that you are talking about very small cones with not much area moving air.

Jim

Hi Jim,

The reason I use it in an open baffle is ease of wiring and installation. I would install them similar to this open baffle array. Would a Neo3 offer a considerable improvement as compared to my present set up? TIA

http://picasaweb.google.com/litobe/DropBox?authkey=mQsfIokfuvs#

Lito

Thanks

Lito