Paper Cones in HiFi?


I may be naive or uninformed but I've noticed several speaker mfrs using paper cones in speakers priced over $2k (ie Vienna Acoustics Bach and Sonus Faber Grand Piano). I always thought paper cones were for low end Radio Shack speakers.

Can some please educate me.

Thanks.
alivadariu

larryi
2,563 posts
08-03-2021 3:53pm
You can find many examples of current drivers that are very expensive that utilize paper cones--AER, Feastrix, Fostex, and G.I.P. come to mind.

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As in Voxativ
Employs super thin papyrus paper, My tech badgers me all the time**You did not hear the Voxativ set up in a  proper horn cabinet...***. well true. 
Still , that 12x12x12 cabinet  gave me all I want to know.
Tapping on the papyrus (PAPER!) cone,,, its was like no bass whatsoever,,I was thinking,,how in the world is this driver going to go down to low bass??? 
You can tap on a cone and get some inkling of an idea how it will respond to bass fq's. 
We will see how the DavidLouis treated paper cone responds in the 60hz zone.
Drums specifically. 
The Seas magnesium is the best midwoofer ever made for bass guitar. But you will need a  Mundorf SESGO or Supreme Silver to get the results. 
In drums/percussion kettles, Scanspeak wins the prize. 
always thought paper cones were for low end Radio Shack speakers.

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You thought right. 
paper composites will always retain paper characteristics,, 
YUCKKKK in upper bass/low mids
I may be naive or uninformed


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Note all the Wilson reviews. Not even once do they mention Sacspeaks paper composite style sound.
No thanks.
magnesium is superior to paper in upper bass./low midrange.
Seas has magnesium.
Wilson offers Scanspeak paper comp sound.
No thank you.
Lets get real here folks.
No more snakeoil
@gs5556 --

Not true at all. "Paper" tends to denote taking the cheap way out but is in fact a complicated mess of fibers, polymers, resins etc., engineered for light weight (has to react quickly), high rigidity (prevents deformation) and longevity. Paper's been a proven performer for decades - only recently have things like Kevlar and metal cones been introduced, and while they have advantages and disadvantages over paper, they alone do not make a speaker high end by virtue of their properties.

Very well put. 
If Magnesium was not offered, 
I'd have no choice but to go with paper. 
Thankfully Seas figured out how to get Magnesium to work,

http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=49&Itemid=246