Preference for large drivers?

The top-of-the-line, full-range models of most companies still use large drivers (10-12-15 inches). The main playback monitors of any well-funded recording studio--those used to judge the quality of a recording once it's finished--always use large drivers, often two 15-inch drivers in each cabinet just for bass frequencies, and usually horn-loaded mids and highs.

Look at the very expensive models that JBL sells (mostly to Japan) or TAD drivers and monitors, or Westlake or PMC or ATC or the top-of-the-line JM Labs or Tannoy or Zu or Zingali or Klipschorns or Edgarhorns or Pass Labs. There's also Iconic (www.seriousstereo.com), the more expensive Coincident models and many, many others.

It is true that a lot more manufacturers sell slim cabinets with small drivers, but this has more to do with marketing strategy meant to conform with the public's preference for "lifestyle" speakers that fit in nicely with their decor and furniture.

For the lowest distortion and the closest approximation of a live concert atd realistic sound levels, you need high sensitivity and low distortion. There's many good speakers that use small drivers, but no amount of design ingenuity can overcome the laws of physics. What's more, the large cones, heavy cast frames, huge motors and extremely close manufacturing tolerances that high quality larger drivers require are very expensive.

A high quality small driver will of course outperform a low quality big driver, but when cost is no object and dynamics, accuracy and transient response must be as close to "live" as possible, the high-sensitivity 12" and 15" bass driver still rules.

Of course, for small domestic rooms where people listen a low to moderate volumes, quality small-driver systems have their place...and since that's what most people want, that's what's most visible in the market...

Dr joe,

Well said - you put it very well. Designers who want uncompromising sound with low distortion at realistic (loud) SPL levels will invariably ALL use larger woofer drivers...although the woofers alone can cost more than many two ways...so it ain't cheap.

Those who are seeking a balance between great sound and to build WAF friendly domestic furniture will invariably choose small woofers in slim designs and these can and do sound extremely good at modest levels but they have, so far, proved unable to compete with their bigger bretheren as almost any studio can attest to.

I also agree that a low cost small woofer is a better choice than a low cost big woofer...if you go big size then it is better to go very high quality ...like the Volts that PMC use. I would also add that a big woofer speaker forces you to go at least three-way which again adds more cost (unless you are prepared to live with some serious degradation from "beaming" when you drive a big woofer into the frequency range where it become directional)

Joe, Shadorne, you are absolutely right. I had posted a short reply and do not know why it did not appear. I simply stated that smaller drivers are not the same as larger in the same way that a four cylinder engine does not perform the same way as a six cylinder engine. It is absolutely wrong to conclude that size of driver has little to do with performance. You are also correct that as one goes higher up in lines of speakers which are considered world class, the drivers almost invariably increase in size, to obtain better results within the laws of physics - as Dr Joe explained.

If I have the space, I never prefer a speaker with smaller drivers, unless I intend to pair it with a subwoofer, but even that is not the same as a speaker designed for full range performance.

If Elizabeth is speaking in terms of tone, then I can agree somewhat. However, there is a definite sense of scale/ease which comes with larger drivers as they move the air more easily. I find that even in the midrange this makes a distinct/very pleasurable difference which to my ear sounds more life-like than what I hear from the majority of more diminutive drivers.

An example of this: I reviewed the B&W CM7 speaker which has a wonderful tonality in the mdirange, but still sounds small due to the 5" midrange. Two other 7" midrange drivers - the 7" Aerogel on the Von Schweikert VR-4 SR MkII, and the 7" mids of the Legacy Focus HD both are much more spacious sounding. A smaller driver simply cannot convey the same spatial clues as the larger ones. However, you are paying much more and taking up more space; it's a game of scale economically and physically.

The Tannoy Glenair uses a huge Dual Concentric driver in which midrange is handled by the big 15" driver. Again, an extension of size, soundstage, etc. which is possible with a larger driver.

Some people honestly are unaware of such distinctions(not trying to suggest you, Elizabeth!), most likely because they have spent little time comparing speakers with radically different driver configuarations. If they go from room to room or store to store hearing a set of speakers each time they will not catch these subtlties that easily, especially if the box components change in each instance. A person then has no clue what the influence of the source/amp/cabling/speaker each is.

In that case, they should either experience the impact of different size drivers through direct comparisons, or if they are physically unable to hear these differences they can pick whatever speaker sounds tonally correct to them and have one less variable to worrry about! :)