15" Woofer (AE Speakers)

[chrismercurio]

All,

I simulated all of the TD15 series woofers from AE speakers and came up with the following as a short form for basic 2pi sensitivity, extension and box size:

TD15M
(97/98db) 1w/2.83v
f3 = 42.59
f6 = 37.08
f10 = 32.29
160.8 liters vented

TD15S
(93/95db) 1w/2.83v
f3 = 44
f6 = 33.5
f10 = 25.17
177 liters sealed

TD15X
(94/96db) 1w/2.83v
f3 = 57
f6 = 38.47
f10 = 27
151.36 liters vented

TD15H
(93/94db) 1w/2.83v
f3 = 38.47
f6 = 32.59
f10 = 27.6
101.2 liters vented

My questions are...what are the differences in sound quality between the different cone/surround materials? And could a lower sensitivity/same power handling version of the TD15S be built? Ideally I want a 15"/500w version of the Scan Speak 25W/8565-00. I can't name the part that I am mating it to (under NDA or something like it), but the woofer will be used in a 3 way with the mid running down to ~250-300 hz.

Regards,

Chris

(This is a NON-commercial post and is for DIY use only)

[Dennis H]

the woofer will be used in a 3 way with the mid running down to ~250-300 hz.

From Brandon's distortion tests, the M series is a midwoofer, not a true woofer. It has an accordion surround and a short stroke. It's great from 80 or so up into the low treble range. For a true woofer, one of the others is better. They have longer stroke and lower distortion down low. They won't play as high but they do low bass better. The H, S and X are all the same (magnet, cone, surround) except for the voice coil winding so get whichever one has T/S parameters that meet your needs.

[chrismercurio]

Thank you Dennis for clarifying about the H,S, and X. I knew that the M was more of a giant mid than a woofer but didn't know how the other 3 were mechanically different. I guess only John of AE can speak to lowering the Vas and Fs for the 15s.

The sims I posted were just for the benefit of the forum for easy reference.

Regards,

Chris

[HareBrained]

The TD12H was used by Dan N (dlneubec on PE Tech-Talk) in his Basslines speakers. You may be interested in his thoughts. And of course, there are the AE forums.

[A9X]

TD15X
(94/96db) 1w/2.83v
f3 = 57
f6 = 38.47
f10 = 27
151.36 liters vented

That's a Bessel sealed alignment, unstuffed. Mine will be running in a slightly smaller box each but with glass filling running up to 350Hz.

In that size box ported, f3 is more like 35Hz.