Size of Midrange Drivers


Why, in this day of super materials, do designers still use
mini midrange drivers?
Can we expect realistic dynamics from a five inch speaker?
My former Audio Artistry Dvorak's used dual eight-inch
midranges (D'Appolito config, paper cone) and sounded fine.
I'm thinking great dynamics = lots of air moved quickly.
I'd like to hear dual eight inch diamond coated berilium with 1000 watts behind them!
I think when we're at the point where the wave launch gives you a skin peel,
we'll be close to proper dynamics.
128x128dweller
Kijanki: I just checked out the 6Moons in-depth review (from 10 yrs ago) of the Hyperion hps-938. The midrange unit addresses this dispersion challenge in its design. Notice that the Hyperion midrange has a large, flat dustcap. It's not a typical dustcap, however. Hyperion called this the SVF--Synchro Vibrate Flattop. This dustcap floats independent of the main diaphragm and is connected directly to the voice coil. What this does is provide a midrange-within-a-midrange of smaller diameter to ensure wider dispersion of high frequencies that would beam at 6-1/2" but not at 3" (or whatever diameter this floating dustcap is). That's a pretty ingenious solution to have it both ways--larger diameter for more radiating surface and deeper reach while keeping dispersion consistent as frequencies rise toward that rather high 3K crossover point.

That's what whizzer cones and phase plugs are used for in many fullrange drivers (e.g. Fostex and Audio Nirvana). But Hyperion's flattop dust cap strikes me as a more ingenious and precise way to achieve that.
Johnyb53, unfortunately Hyperion went bankrupt since design is only small part of success. Now, I feel uneasy about spare parts or service.
Hey! Tannoy! You've only been making speakers since 1926 so take some more lessons because somebody on this web-site thinks you and I are "confused".

Stop making your $55,000 Kingdom Royal until you get straightened out and start using 5" midrange drivers!

(dang this is fun!)...
08-24-14: Dweller
Hey! Tannoy! You've only been making speakers since 1926 so take some more lessons because somebody on this web-site thinks you and I are "confused".

Stop making your $55,000 Kingdom Royal until you get straightened out and start using 5" midrange drivers!

(dang this is fun!)...

Dweller, you asked the question & when info has been given to you, you don't want to learn! There seems to be disbelief on your part. Why ask the question if you don't want to learn??? Just curious to know...

This info from 2 websites: tannoyspeakers.com & tannoy.com (it looks like you haven't spent much time reading it..)

The first Dual Concentric loudspeaker, designated the monitor black, and designed by Tannoy's chief engineer at the time, Ronnie H. Rackham, appeared at the London Radio Show in 1947.
It was in 1926 when Guy R. Fountain (GRF) perfected a new type of electric rectifier with the aim of designing a charger more suitable for use in the home.
I really don't know when Tannoy built it's 1st speaker but it wasn't in 1926.

the following info is about the Tannoy Kingdom Royal loudspeaker from Tannoy's website. Read a little about the Kingdom Royal's drive unit - scroll to the middle of that webpage & look under "Drive Unit":
The crossover to the DC’s high frequency unit occurs at an exceptionally low 700Hz to ensure the majority of the vocal region is handled by the new tweeter.
The Tannoy Kingdom Royal has NO MIDRANGE driver contrary to what you seemed to allude to.
Their new HF compression driver tweeter is doing all the midrange.
Like you seemed to indicate - Tannoy is not foolish & they wouldn't put a 12" midrange! The 12" unit does upper bass to 700Hz & the lower bass unit does the bottom-most octave.

You know, Shakey might have a very valid point.....
Bombaywalla --

What's to learn, exactly - that 12" units can't do midrange? To clarify: 700Hz er certainly part of the midrange (indeed the lower part of the central mids), and voices typically contain a lot of energy even lower in the frequency spectrum. Upper bass sits below 300Hz, not at a high 700Hz.

12" units can do wonderful midrange, but you wouldn't expect an 88-90dB, fs 20-30Hz hifi bass ditto to do this job; it's supposed, or certainly restricted to do bass only. There are other 12" units to come by with higher efficiency, higher fs, and lighter cone movements, and there's good reason to seek out their qualities in the mids department as opposed to the smaller diameter alternatives - depending of course on the design they are to be implemented.

What's to learn is oftentimes to unlearn, keep an open mind, and be willing to go against accepted (read: rigid) norms.