Driver specs needed please

[Cajun]

Hello

I'm new to the site and sure enjoy reading all the posts. I was given some BayAudio in walls speakers. I would like to use the drivers and xovers to build a set of floor standing loudspeakers. The drivers listed below,my problem is the Peerless midrange I can't find any specs on it, looked on line everywhere, even called bay audio with no luck. Far as I can tell they manufactured the speakers in 2003 " it's a sticker on the xover. Guys any help would be wonderful. Thanks

Tweeter: Vifa TC26TG05-06
Midrange: Peerless 850418
Woffer: Goldwood 408D

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello

I'm new to the site and sure enjoy reading all the posts. I was given some BayAudio in walls speakers. I would like to use the drivers and xovers to build a set of floor standing loudspeakers. The drivers listed below,my problem is the Peerless midrange I can't find any specs on it, looked on line everywhere, even called bay audio with no luck. Far as I can tell they manufactured the speakers in 2003 " it's a sticker on the xover. Guys any help would be wonderful. Thanks

Tweeter: Vifa TC26TG05-06
Midrange: Peerless 850418
Woffer: Goldwood 408D

I have a large data base of drivers. I can't find that Peerless ever made a driver with that number. I suspect the number is wrong, or it was a special order for them or surplus for someone else they bought cheap.

However it does not matter as you are wasting your time with that project.

That Goldwood woofer is a dreadful sloppy boomer with a Qtc of 0.95! It can only be used in a sealed enclosure of 0.5 cu.ft capacity. This gets a system Q the same as the driver of 0.95. You can not get a system Q lower than driver Q. So you will end up with a nasty chesty speaker whatever you do. You could certainly not build a floor standing speaker using that woofer.

If you are going to build a speaker, which is a lot of work, then you need to start with some prospect of success. You should not shoot yourself in the foot before you start.

 

[Cajun]

TLS guy, thanks for the advice on the Goldwood woofers. My idea is to build tower speakers, 4'6" to 5' tall, width would be enough for a woofer to fit, depth would be enough for the required volume. The driver layout from top down midrange, tweeter, midrange, woofer,woofer and I say this is because I have enough drivers to build. Do you think 2 8" woofers will be too much, will 6 1/2 be better. And what T/S values to consider when looking for woofers with a smooth tight base line not a big rumble sub for HT. Thanks for your time.

 

[TLS Guy]

TLS guy, thanks for the advice on the Goldwood woofers. My idea is to build tower speakers, 4'6" to 5' tall, width would be enough for a woofer to fit, depth would be enough for the required volume. The driver layout from top down midrange, tweeter, midrange, woofer,woofer and I say this is because I have enough drivers to build. Do you think 2 8" woofers will be too much, will 6 1/2 be better. And what T/S values to consider when looking for woofers with a smooth tight base line not a big rumble sub for HT. Thanks for your time.

You have to pick drivers, for your total concept. The T/S parameters determine box volume. Generally you want a total system Q in the 0.5 to o.7 range. T/S parameters also determine what form of loading is optimal.

Every crossover as to be designed custom for the drivers selected. You can not use off the shelf crossovers, or crossovers from another speaker set.

For a first build, build and established design.

 

[Cajun]

TLS Guy, thanks again for your response. Please pardon my ignorance.On your last response you said, to pick drivers for a total system concept. Would this be a concept? Or am I way off?To build a set of towers with crisp clean soft highs, woofers that are a little tight with a great response and midranges that will tie it all together. When picking out drivers what am I looking for,other than a brand name? For instance my tweeter the VIFA TC26TG05-06 I do have all specs on it, what type of numbers are you looking at?you consider it poor, great,. Ok,I talked long enough thanks for your time. I checked out your system "wow" that's a true love and passion for what you enjoy.
Thanks again

 

[TLS Guy]

TLS Guy, thanks again for your response. Please pardon my ignorance.On your last response you said, to pick drivers for a total system concept. Would this be a concept? Or am I way off?To build a set of towers with crisp clean soft highs, woofers that are a little tight with a great response and midranges that will tie it all together. When picking out drivers what am I looking for,other than a brand name? For instance my tweeter the VIFA TC26TG05-06 I do have all specs on it, what type of numbers are you looking at?you consider it poor, great,. Ok,I talked long enough thanks for your time. I checked out your system "wow" that's a true love and passion for what you enjoy.
Thanks again

Building a speaker that is any good is a complicated task.

Total Q, is the Q of the system, in other words the driver on your final design.

The T/S parameters will guide you in the optimal form of loading, and get you to the correct box and porting. You will need a modelling program to speed things up.

In addition to the T/S parameters you need to have accurate data of or be able to measure the acoustic response of the drivers. Without this you can not design the crossover. You will need a modeling program for the crossover. This is by far the most difficult part of the design.

It is beyond the scope of a forum like this to teach you how to design a complete speaker, sub excepted.

That is why I suggest you cut your teeth with an established design.

And by the way, saving money is not a reason to build your own speakers. Speaker building is a lot of work, and you need the prospect of superior results to justify the effort expended. So it is best to think in terms of quality drivers and components. Choosing components that will work well together, especially the drivers is an art in itself.

One other thing, if you are planing your first design, you never start with a three way.

 

[crossedover]

Start here, the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook, that will give a good read before you jump into the deep end.

 

[TLS Guy]

Start here, the Loudspeaker Design Cookbook, that will give a good read before you jump into the deep end.

That is indeed a very good way to begin!

 

[lsiberian]

I personally love building speakers enclosures. It's certainly a lot of work and only worth it if you really enjoy woodworking, electronics, audio and tinkering. Just like most engineering there is a lot of failure on the way to a successful build.