| Re: AE Drivers [message #69810 is a reply to message #69809] |
Sat, 15 October 2011 10:12   |
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Wayne Parham
Messages: 18783
Registered: January 2001
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Illuminati (33rd Degree) |
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The seven π loudspeaker could probably be fitted with an AE TD15M, although I haven't tested it. The reason I think it would probably work is the (300Hz) crossover point is low enough that the woofer characteristics would almost certainly be similar. Almost all woofers act pretty much the same in this range. The source location within the cabinet is the same, so I expect standing waves to line up the same. For all these reasons, it is likely that a woofer swap in this model would work well.
This is not necessarily the case in the four π loudspeaker. I would expect crossover changes would be required in this model.
To expound a little bit - the TD15M is pretty much a drop-in replacement for the 2226 as far as T/S specs are concerned. It was designed to be a bolt-on replacement for many prosound drivers that have emulated this tuning. Kind of cool, really, that a pseudo-standard alignment emerged in the last couple decades.
What's potentially different is the behavior above about 500Hz. That's very specific to cone material and shape, including the dust cap. Impedance is also largely an issue, because most woofers have rising impedance due to voice coil inductance but the amount of rise and where it begins is widely different between models. So these things would need to be dialed in when using the TD15M in a two-way design. Keeps it from being a drop-in replacement for the four π model.
I am often asked about the differences between JBL 22xx and AE woofers, and why I didn't use an AE driver in the four π speaker. The answer is pretty simple: The JBL 2226 has been a long-time favorite of mine, and the four π speaker that uses it is mature, having been around for literally decades. It's a great speaker.
The three π model was designed to use the TD12S as its upgrade path so I could offer a model with an AE driver. I am very fond of this model too. Can't say which I prefer - they are both very fine.
I tend to try and refrain from giving my subjective opinions on the comparisons between the JBL 2226 used in the four π and seven π speakers and the AE TD12S used in the three π and six π speakers. I just think too highly of each of them. I don't hesitate to point out the benefits of midwoofers that have shorting rings, which is why I suggest the upgraded drivers over the stock ones. But once you get into the upgraded drivers, you're into the realm of what I consider to be the best speakers you can build or buy. It just doesn't get any better than that, both models are superb.
I sometimes make the comparison to cars. Which would you prefer, a Ferrari F40 or Porsche 959? Both are world class cars, both exceed 200MPH. It is like this with the fully upgraded models of π speakers too.
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