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Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90415] Mon, 10 June 2019 13:59 Go to next message
Mudshark is currently offline  Mudshark
Messages: 12
Registered: May 2019
Chancellor
Hi Wayne,

Eminence has confirmed that the 4012HO has been discontinued due to lack of demand and there isn't a pair left anywhere in Europe. Can you recommend an alternative to go with the DE250 in the Three Pi?

I don't see another 12" Eminence with shorting rings and the AE TD12Ms are nearly $1000 a pair shipped to the UK (we have to add 20% VAT to imports) which is a bit much.

I was looking at the Faital PRO 12FH520 which has a similar set of TS parameters (and shorting rings for lower mid-range distortion (it also has a lower LE to start with)) or does it need to have a rising response around 1-2 kHz?

/forum/index.php?t=getfile&id=2372&private=0

Thanks in advance

Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90417 is a reply to message #90415] Tue, 11 June 2019 09:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18792
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

The problem is that without a complete test set, usually accompanied by slight crossover changes to adapt the new driver, we cannot really know how well any new driver will perform. So at this time, I cannot suggest an alternative upgrade path.

The 12FH520 looks like a great driver, but its electro-mechanical specs aren't right for this application. I was actually looking at its brother, the 12FH530, which is very similar in most respects. But it isn't right for this application either. So I'm looking at other drivers, including those from B&C, BMS and Faital. I'm leaning towards the B&C 12PLB100 right now.

Stay tuned! Cool
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90421 is a reply to message #90417] Wed, 12 June 2019 11:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mudshark is currently offline  Mudshark
Messages: 12
Registered: May 2019
Chancellor
Thanks, Wayne, I'll hold off until you've reported back. Do you have a rough timescale? No pressure Smile

At the risk of muddying the waters, a couple more I came across that look decent:

Faital Pro 12FH530 - The ferrite version of the 520 which seems to have a more extended midrange

Beyma 12P80NdV2 - no shorting rings but huge 25 Bl motor and flat on-axis response out to 3KHz. The V1 had very low published distortion curves.
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90422 is a reply to message #90421] Wed, 12 June 2019 12:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18792
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

I'm looking at offerings from all manufacturers.

My main priorities are to have the right electro-mechanical parameters to maintain the same efficiency and reasonably deep bass response, to have a shorting ring for low distortion and to have a well-damped cone to provide smooth midrange.

The plan is to have a completed design with a new midwoofer offering by the end of the summer. It will not be a total cabinet redesign - Just a new midwoofer upgrade option for the three π loudspeaker.
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90423 is a reply to message #90415] Wed, 12 June 2019 13:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mudshark is currently offline  Mudshark
Messages: 12
Registered: May 2019
Chancellor
Fantastic. I'll get the cabinets ready (sans midwoofer cutout).
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90438 is a reply to message #90422] Sat, 15 June 2019 20:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rkeman is currently offline  rkeman
Messages: 78
Registered: March 2010
Location: Florida
Viscount
If a 3Pi redesign is on tap, is it worth considering throwing in the new B&C DE360 ring radiator compression driver for the tweeter section? It looks very interesting and costs less than the DE250.
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90439 is a reply to message #90438] Sun, 16 June 2019 09:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18792
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Could be!
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90468 is a reply to message #90422] Tue, 18 June 2019 14:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
johnnycamp5 is currently offline  johnnycamp5
Messages: 354
Registered: June 2015
Location: NJ
Grand Master

Wayne Parham wrote on Wed, 12 June 2019 13:11
It will not be a total cabinet redesign - Just a new midwoofer upgrade option for the three π loudspeaker.

That would seem better/easier. Could this mean only changing the port size dimensions?
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90471 is a reply to message #90468] Tue, 18 June 2019 14:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18792
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

It'll just be a drop-in driver swap. I'm looking for an upgrade path for the three π to replace the now-obsolete Definimax 4012HO.
Re: Definimax 4012HO - End of Life [message #90488 is a reply to message #90471] Thu, 20 June 2019 19:15 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Mudshark is currently offline  Mudshark
Messages: 12
Registered: May 2019
Chancellor
B&C 12PLB100 doesn't seem to be widely available. Most dealers are out of stock with one quoting 9-11 week lead time which might suggest EOL, possibly? Only seems to have a front gasket. Rear of baffle mounting only?
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