Midrange comparison

[Audiophile100%]

I have doubts about the choice of the midrange as I wrote in the post.
what do you think about these models:

SB12MNRX25-4 http://www.sbacoustics.com/index.php...range-drivers/

MCA12RC http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=...ges&Itemid=463

12M/4631G00 http://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/pdf/12m-4631g00.pdf

[JonMarsh]

What are your criteria for selecting a midrange? Freedom from linear distortion? (resonance, time domain artifacts), harmonic distortion? Specific frequency band? Sensitivity? (to match other system components) Cost? Color of the cone?

Without some stated goals, it is hard to make meaningful comment that doesn't just contribute to the noise floor. Of course, being an engineer, I look at this from an engineering perspective. Many times people will select a specific part for their own emotional response, due to appearance, use in other systems they admire- etc.- there is nothing wrong with that, but the input of others wouldn't help you make a selection.

OTOH, straight forward engineering criteria at least gives you or those responding to you a clear basic target.

In my own case, I find it's necessary to measure and evaluate the drivers personally to make a final choice- there's no substitute for first hand experience, but it does take more time and involvement. And I'll admit I do mostly use engineering criteria to make a final selection, especially lack of time domain issues and low distortion. For me, the rest is a moot point...

To your list of cone based candidates I would also suggest the Vifa NE149-4 5 ½”.

[Audiophile100%]

no one compared the sb and seas

[5th element]

None of the drivers you've linked to contain any kind of shorting rings in their motors and from my perspective that completely disqualifies them all. The scan measures extremely poorly and is a disgrace to the revelator line up. The SB is an oddity, all SBs drivers contain copper in the gap for inductance linearisation, but for some reason their mid range specific, 4" drivers, do not. Al of the measurements I've seen of these display what you'd expect, significantly higher 3rd harmonic than with the other drivers in their line up, it's a bad apple. Then the SEAS driver, whilst certainly well built and with a smooth FR, it suffers the same disgrace as the SB, both measure similarly in that they have a higher and rising third order than drivers with proper shorting rings.

Jon's recommendation of the NE range from Vifa is a good one as those drivers have very well designed motors.

Another driver you may wish to consider is the Eton 3-400/A8/25/MG. Generally I dislike Eton's drivers because they suffer the same issues as the SEAS and SB above, no shorting in the motors and/or very basic motor structures. Typically Eton drivers have very high third harmonic from poor motor design and I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot barge pole. This little drivers though measures superbly.

http://www.audiogurman.com/2.htm#eton3-400

It is a true midrange only driver and must be crossed accordingly, no lower than 300Hz with a 4th order acoustic slope and ideally no higher than 3kHz, with a similarly steep acoustic slope, this being due to the inherent cone resonance. But if used appropriately it should sound fantastic.

[Jonasz]

I would suggest SS 10F/4424 http://www.scan-speak.dk/datasheet/pdf/10f-4424g00.pdf

Have them in my Notes and they sound very nice, measures decent and doesn't cost a fortune.

I only use these from 1kHz and up, so if you're crossing in the 300Hz range, I'm sure there's better choices.

[Face]

The 10F is fine from 400hz and up.

[AudioGurman]

If we are talking about 4" I would vote for ScanSpeak 12mu4731t00, very good driver.
Vifa NE149W nice too but 5".
Eton 3-400 - is very good but 3" and ask some work in crossover to sounding right way.

[5th element]

Welcome to the HTguide AudioGurman, if you're the individual behind www.audiogurman.com/ then I thank you for your hard work, it is certainly appreciated! I just noticed that you've posted measurements of one of Morels more recent offerings, it's nice to see that they've got their motors into shape, those measure rather well - this bodes well perhaps for the Esoterics Jon

[AudioGurman]

Thank you 5th Element, I like HTguide and have been hanging here for some years. There is many interesting projects, clever thoughts and very friendly atmosphere here.
Yes, www.audiogurman.com is mine. Welcome to there too!
I'm sorry that site on Russian but on the next "engine" English language will be. And I'm sorry for my English...

[---k---]

Interesting page. Google translate helps. I look forward to seeing the page in English.