The proposed driver is suitable for use in bass-reflex subwoofer cabinets between 2ft3 and 6ft3, tuned to 22Hz. It is also perfect for use in basshorns, and is an ideal replacement for the LABhorn. It is designed to have the same electro-mechanical specs as the LAB12 and be a high-fidelity alternative. If you'd like to see how and why this woofer is improved by the use of a flux stabilization ring, see the post called "Magnet structures".

This project just sort of fell into my lap, and it is moving very rapidly. Dan Rilo asked for a subwoofer with a flux stabilization ring in the "massive subwoofer" thread on the ProSpeakers forum. It occured to me that there aren't many really great subwoofers made these days, and there seems to be a hole in the market. So I thought there's be no harm to ask Eminence about it. They are willing to build this device, but only if there is a commitment for 100 units.

Right now, Chris has the Eminence engineering department researching the issue to make sure it is possible. If so, they will provide a quote for tooling and for production. We will have to pay for tooling in full, and half down on purchase of the first 100 speakers. We will be given 4 evaluation units, which are already tenatively promised out to Brad Litz. At that time, I'll post the prices and start taking orders. If we have enough interest to generate 100 down payments, I'll enter into an agreement with Eminence to get them started on production.

We'll need everyone that is looking for a subwoofer in the $200 range to step up to the plate on this one. I've already received E-Mail requests for about 150 units, but many of these orders are tenative. That's not good enough, in order to make this a reality we need commitments. The first 100 drivers ordered will be sold at wholesale cost in order to fund this project, but we'll need prepayment at the time of your order.

We don't have prices yet, so we don't need your money now. But we will have this information very shortly and will be taking orders. To get the wholesale cost deal, you'll need to be in on the initial 100 speakers ordered.

Requirements - Preliminary Specifications:

Nominal Basket Diameter
Impedance
Power Rating
Resonance
Sensitivity
Magnet Weight
Voice Coil Diameter
Overall Diameter
Baffle Hole Diameter
Front Sealing Gasket
Rear Sealing Gasket
Mounting Holes Diameter
Mounting Holes B.C.D.
Depth
Resonant Frequency (fs)
Impedance (Re)
Coil Inductance (Le)
Electromagnetic Q (Qes)
Mechanical Q (Qms)
Total Q (Qts)
Compliance Equivalent Volume (Vas)
Mechanical Compliance of Suspension (Cms)
BL Product (BL)
Diaphragm Mass inc. Airload (Mms)
Equiv. Resistance of Mechanical Suspension Loss (Rms)
Efficiency Bandwidth Product (EBP)
Voice Coil Overhang (Xmax)
Surface Area of Cone (Sd)
Maximum Mechanical Limit (Xmech)


12", 304.8mm
6 ohms
400Wrms, 800Wpeak
22Hz
87.4
160 oz.
2.5", 63.5mm
12.32", 312.8mm
10.98, 278.9mm
yes
yes
0.26", 6.6mm
11.77, 298.9mm
6.44", 163.6mm
22Hz
4.29 ohms
1.48mH
0.39
13.32
0.38
4.42ft3, 125.22 liters
0.35mm/N
15.0 T-M
146 grams
1.54N*sec/M
57
13mm
506.7cm2
44mm

www.prosoundweb.com/lsp
http://camphuisen.com

• labhorn

The requirements for the device are that it have the same electro-mechanical properties as the LAB12 but at least -10dB less distortion through the use of a flux stabilization ring. Since power capacity is the same, you can use it for pro sound. You can also use it for home or car applications. It's just a higher quality, higher fidelity woofer than the LAB12, and the price is not going to be much more at all.

• Benefits gained by using a flux stabilization ring

Tom Danley on Power Compression

I wonder what air cooling ventillation and heatsinks will be like in the MAG12... it would need to be of the same level as pro sound drivers are if one is to avoid the greatly non linear affects of power compression. Wayne, do you know anything about this about the MAG12?

These are realistic goals though, and I would be surprised if it didn't do this and more. I'm hoping for more like 15dB reduction in 2HD. The next coolest thing is cost. Chris said cost would potentially be low enough he was concerned that the new woofer's pricing might make it overly competitive with the LAB12. That translates to -15dB improvement in distortion for almost no additional cost.

• Subwoofer project update

• April progress update