Which sub company uses the best drivers?

[Goat1]

I'm curious on people's opinions. I have no idea what kind of difference PSA's new driver's will make compared to the old ones.

 

[jinjuku]

Funk Audio?

 

[Steve81]

Re: PSA's new drivers, I'd say they're a pretty big deal based on the data from their site. Tom has mentioned he's looking to get an XV15se measured by Josh sooner rather than later, so that will give us a good idea of just how big an improvement they are.

As far as who uses the "best" drivers, it's not really something I'd spend a lot of time worrying about. In the end, it always comes down to the sum of the parts and how well they're optimized to work together. Of course, an easy answer would be a custom shop like Funk or Salk since they'll use whatever driver you want.

 

[Goat1]

SVS PB,SB drivers look pretty stout,so do Rythmik's and HSU's. Velodyne's look heavy duty also.

 

[Steve81]

The PB13U and the Velo DD18+ drivers aren't too hard on the eyes for sure.

PB13:
pb13woofer2.JPG Full Screen Image | Audioholics

DD18+
ddp_driver_14.jpg Full Screen Image | Audioholics

I like the Funk TSAD for the simple fact that it weighs ~35lbs in spite of the fact that it's a high performance 18" driver. The SVS Ultra 13 driver is on the order of 55lbs IIRC, though I've heard higher numbers floated around as well.
TSAD Pic

 

[Goat1]

Those 2 drivers look awesome! If I had a PB12 + or PB/SB 13u I would most definitely leave the grill off!

 

[Steve81]

Here's my beauty shot of the TSAD driver:

Grill stays on for the most part though since I've got a two year old on the loose.

 

[Goat1]

Which sub is that. That looks awesome Steve! Looks like the grill attaches magnetically.. Does it?

 

[Steve81]

That's the Funk 18.0SE (a less costly version of this), and yes it uses magnetic grills.
Edit: before they switched to an in house driver, the Funk 18.0 used to come with the LMS Ultra driver, which is also quite the beast.

 

[Goat1]

How much does that sub go for? I'm a sucker for magnetic grilles

 

[its phillip]

Based on looks/specs

JTR uses some very nice 18" drivers I would think
I don't know of any prebuilt subs that use the Aurasound NS18 other than the stupid expensive Magico sub, but that's also a very nice looking driver
Funk and their TSAD drivers
RE Audio XXX 18 and LMS Ultra 5400 are also well known

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

How much does that sub go for? I'm a sucker for magnetic grilles

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Funk+18.0SE

 

[Steve81]

How much does that sub go for? I'm a sucker for magnetic grilles

$2950 w/ the grill.

 

[Goat1]

How does that Funk stack up to something like Seaton?

 

[Steve81]

How does that Funk stack up to something like Seaton?

Hard to say since the Seaton has never been formally benched. On paper, you're looking at similar displacement, (1 long throw 18 vs 2 medium stroke 15's) and comparably rated amps (2400W). The Funk driver in its 3.5 cu ft enclosure is also relatively sensitive from 45Hz on up, exceeding 90dB w/ 2V at 1m, and as you'd expect, the Seaton is known to be pretty potent in that range as well.

 

[jinjuku]

The PB13U and the Velo DD18+ drivers aren't too hard on the eyes for sure.

PB13:
pb13woofer2.JPG Full Screen Image | Audioholics

DD18+
ddp_driver_14.jpg Full Screen Image | Audioholics

I like the Funk TSAD for the simple fact that it weighs ~35lbs in spite of the fact that it's a high performance 18" driver. The SVS Ultra 13 driver is on the order of 55lbs IIRC, though I've heard higher numbers floated around as well.
TSAD Pic

Velodyne uses JBL driver assemblies for their DD+

 

[Goat1]

I read velodyne's cabinet's aren't braced the best..

 

[its phillip]

I read velodyne's cabinet's aren't braced the best..

No sign of that in the AH review of the DD-18+.

The enclosure of the DD18+ under review was a beautiful ebony gloss black finish in which you could still see wood grain if looking closely. Internally the enclosure has a very large window brace in the center which the driver motor is also anchored to with bolts. This ties every major panel of the enclosure together except for the back panel which houses the amplifier. There is also a generous amount of poly fill stuffing inside of the enclosure behind the driver and on the walls. During testing and use I noted no cabinet resonances or audible issues related to the cabinet even at the loudest drive levels. It is very solid and inert.

 

[Goat1]

DD-+ 18+ is way more than I'd spend on a sub.

 

[Steve81]

No sign of that in the AH review of the DD-18+.
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FWIW, Dale Rasco over at HTS noted it in his Optimum 12 review. I'd expect that wouldn't be an issue with their flagship line though.