Considering coaxial / concentric speakers

[sunPin]

You can read tons of reactions (ha!) here -

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1661937-official-reaction-audio-thread-105.html

I bought a subwoofer when Jeremy first started. The packing wasn't great (since changed) and there was some internal damage on what I thought was one of the speakers but he sent me two at no charge - and it was only after I replaced the second driver did I find out he was right.

Thanks, I read most of that thread (really long!) and picked up a lot of good stuff from it.

I came here to cross check it with Audioholics. As far as what coaxials were designed to do, it sounds like Audioholics concurs with AVS.

 

[Steve81]

No question the implementation matters, but again, how do you narrow down your choices if there are thousands of options?

1. Having some basic knowledge of what a good loudspeaker should do, i.e. reasonably flat on axis FR, smooth off axis response that's free from major aberrations, low distortion at desired listening levels, presenting a reasonable load to a partnering amp, etc.

2. Defining some goals, i.e. listening levels, extension, etc.

3. Looking at 3rd party measurements to see how various speakers objectively perform. In addition to reviews here, this is a handy resource as they perform measurements at the Canadian NRC. Measurements at Stereophile are also reasonably useful.

 

[sunPin]

1. Having some basic knowledge of what a good loudspeaker should do, i.e. reasonably flat on axis FR, smooth off axis response that's free from major aberrations, low distortion at desired listening levels, presenting a reasonable load to a partnering amp, etc.

2. Defining some goals, i.e. listening levels, extension, etc.

3. Looking at 3rd party measurements to see how various speakers objectively perform. In addition to reviews here, this is a handy resource as they perform measurements at the Canadian NRC. Measurements at Stereophile are also reasonably useful.

Thanks Steve, that's helpful.

 

[Old Audiophool]

I am using the Seas Loki Mk II kit for Madisound, https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/coaxial-speaker-kits/seas-loki-mkii-coaxial-kit-parts-only-each/ in my music only system with a SVS SB1000 sub xovered at 80HZ and they sound fantastic. Great bang for the buck, easy kit to build, and they are front ported, everything you are looking for. Great sound dispersion and very articulate so the human voice is very real and easy to discern. Not looking back on my purchase at all.
Enjoy you quest.
Bill

 

[DukeL]

Is anyone running coaxials or had the chance to compare coaxials with more standard driver topologies? What are your opinions on them?

My primary objectives for the upgrade are expanded soundstage, improved dynamic range, and improved imaging.

I have worked with coaxials, and there are two general types: Those that have a small horn for the tweeter, and those that use the woofer's cone as a horn for the tweeter. There are of course tradeoffs, but in general I prefer those that use the woofer's cone as a horn for the tweeter, so my comments below will be about that type.

The advantages are radiation pattern uniformity and symmetry, which are good for tonal balance, imaging, and long-term fatigue-free listening. The disadvantages are, possibly reduced clarity at high output levels because the vibrating woofer cone modulates the tweeter's output somewhat, and the possibility of coloration particularly at high sound pressure levels because the throat and mouth of the "horn" the tweeter sees are usually somewhat diffractive. KEF and TAD coaxials pay a lot of attention to getting the geometry as good as reasonably possible in these places.

A good coaxial would give you a good soundstage size but imo speaker setup will make more of a difference there. I would not choose the coaxial format if maximizing dynamic range was my top priority, but a given coaxial may well have more dynamic range than a given conventional speaker - it depends on the specifics. Imaging is usually a strong point of coaxials.

 

[KenM10759]

KEF and Tannoy probably have the most refined coincident driver technology as they have put the money and years into developing it. Elac now has Andrew Jones who had a hand in developing both, and they're just now releasing his first effort for both.

What I'm finding with mine is that they aren't nearly as limited by the design as they are limited by the signal I feed them. That's true of a great many speaker designs.