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Single driver speakers without the pitfalls?

In researching SET amps, I have learned a lot more about the sort of high efficiency speakers that they are typically paired with, including single driver models like Omega, Blumenstein, Teresonic, etc.
The advantages of these designs are well acknowledged: coherence, imaging, high-efficiency and so forth.
At the same time, there seem to be equally well acknowledged drawbacks to these designs: Limited bass response, rolled off highs, and a harshness or "shout" in the upper midrange.
Some designers, like Tekton and Zu, seem to take the approach of getting the best of all worlds by joining a wide range driver to a tweeter of some sort. (To some extent, my Reference 3AM De Capo monitors take this approach.)
What I'm curious to learn is whether you think there are any single driver, full range systems that transcend the above limitations.
Eager to hear your thoughts.
rebbi
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Hi Rebbi,
My experience fully agrees with Elvick's.
I am using Beauhorn Virtuoso speakers, rated at 106db, with single 8" Lowther DX4 drivers.
A well known reviewer, who's name escapes me, had listened to the few different cabinet designers utilizing this driver and felt that the BV's found the best advantage of that driver.
Even my 45 amps and 300B amps (Wavelength) effortless provide more than enough volume in my small room.
I like the simple purity concept of crossover-less single drivers.
As I realize that nothing is perfect, I am fully content.
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Elevick,
Is that Merrill DCA 4 driver even made anymore?
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I don't think that the driver you seek actually exists. The closest thing I've heard was a lowish output SET powered speaker using the Jordan 4" driver in a home-built enclosure. It was augmented by a powered subwoofer crossed over somewhere south of 100hz. In some respects, this set-up gets pretty close to your goals - especially since the sub and main speaker were wired in parallel from the pre-amp (the sub was out of the signal path). The only x-over in the system was the high cut on the subwoofer and the Jordans ran full range.

It wasn't the best sounding system I've ever heard, but it was an excellent sounding system of its type.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,854 posts
 
With just a few watts only on a very small scale ie headphones. With more
power the fuller range Walsh drivers aka dale harder. Otherwise two ways
with the simple crossover designs. For full range bass off just a few watts
in most any room large drivers in bigger boxes needed. Horn loading
helps. That's how most speakers for pro use are designed, large and horn
loaded for maximum efficiency.

You can't change physics. Pressurizing a room at low frequencies requires
some muscle however one gets it. Headphones can deliver needed spl at
all frequencies with fewest watts due to proximity to eardrums.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 
Tannoy Westminster should be able to do it ALL, but technically that's 2 drivers (and crossover) in a coaxial configuration. Otherwise, I will never believe that any single driver (besides headphones/earspeakers) can do it all -- as mentioned above, physics cannot be cheated, especially when high quality reproduction across full bandwidth is the goal.
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