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Single driver loudspeakers

I know some friends who have built single driver horn loudspeakers with 6-7 inch 'full range' drive element and seem very happy with the sound.  However I wonder about those selling 94 db sensitive 12 and 15 inch full range drive elements and recommending 2-3 cubic ft bass reflex cabinets and 7 watt SET amplifiers.  Is it possible for a 15" 'full range" driver driven by 7 watt SET  to provide state of the art sound without audible distortion, deficient frequency extremes and 1950 style sound?  This is an inquiry not a critique.  Thank you for helping me to understand full range drive units.

normie57
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Rlawry,
I find it interesting that you achieved satisfying treble performance with the 12 inch single driver. Thus my question to johnk regarding the PHY-HP 12 inch. It’s possible he may not be familiar with them.
Charles,
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o_holter
977 posts
 
I am using single-driver active speakers on my desktop (Sony SRS ZX-1) that sound good driven by my OTL headphone amp (Audiotailor Jade). No crossover, no output transformer = sonic benefit. I've used this (and other s-driver setups before) also to explore alternatives in my living room system. It helped me to decide to switch from solid state to OTL amplification. But I found that a single-driver approach in my quite big room (50m2) was unrealistic, and ended up with Audiokinesis front and effect speakers. Not exactly small and neat, but paired with OTL the sound is marvellous.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
PHY are interesting and I have used most models inc SAG versions but over all over priced for performance given.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
SEAS X-1 is a good option meets most of what owners asks for.


rlawry
484 posts
 
What a number of single-drivers incorporate to improve treble performance is a whizzer cone and phase plug.  Recently there have been developments that preclude such a design.
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