What are your Favorite Subwoofer drivers?

[wus]

I just came across this thread today. After years of looking for suitable drivers which soon made me (too) realize that pro audio often offer the best overall bang for the buck, in 2018 I decided for the FaitalPro 18XL1800 and built 2 ported subwoofers with them that are now mounted back-to-back (for impulse compensation), carrying my TV and serving as subwoofers in my "home theater".

They fire to both sides, but are fed a mono signal limited to 100Hz. Their position - approximately in the middle of in my roughly square room of 31 sqm (330sqft) - helps to reduce room modes. I use the EQ in my AVR, a Denon X4500H, to extend low frequency output to around 20Hz.

Sounds great!

 

[gatestick]

I just built a ported box using the Ultimax 15, and I am very impressed with it. I am only running a 500 watt Dayton amp. That will get upgraded someday. Looking forward to changing out my Cerwin Vega 15 when it craps out.

 

[wus]

While I was still looking for drivers I also envisaged the B&C 18 and 21" IPAL models for their extreme excursions, but as a non-commercial user I could not get the required special amps to drive these 2 or 1 Ohm drivers.

I also looked at the 21SW152 and DS115, and also came to this - for me somewhat surprizing, or at least unexpected - conclusion:

The 21SW152 is probably a better driver in absolute terms than the DS115, it handles more power, has lower inductance, lower distortion, handles a bit more power, etc. In practice it seems that the DS115 is probably a better choice for use in ported or sealed boxes, while the SW152 might be the better option for horns.

I even looked at a few 24" units ... but at point I realized that drivers of 21" or more are usually overproportionalty more expensive than similarly well-built 15 and 18" models. They may offer 30 to 50% higher output based on Sd * Xmax, but often cost 60 to 90% more. It's better to use dual 15 or 18" instead.

Also, in an earlier project I experienced the "walking speaker" phenomenon (due to a single high moving mass subwoofer driver in a small enclusure), which is why I then decided for that impulse-compensated design with dual opposing 18" drivers.

 

[gatestick]

I wanted to know if you have any new thoughts on subwoofer drivers.

Now as for my favorite drivers (meeting all the criteria above):

1. B&C 21DS115-4 (Current favorite driver at any price)
2. B&C 18DS115-4
3. Focusworks GUJ21v1
4. Faitalpro 18XL1800

Affordable drivers meeting at least some of the above criteria:

1. Dayton Ultimax 18
2. Dayton PA465s-8 (Very under-rated in my opinion, 11mm of xmax, 1000 watts rms, 2000 watts max power, 94db sensitivity, and linear motor)

And....Promising mew driver line

1. La Voce Subwoofers http://www.loudspeakersplus.com/LaVoce-Pro-Audio-Speakers-s/228.htm

I am going to build 2 GSG full Marty 21. With Jason's input from GSG. I originally planned on using the LaVoce SAN214.5. Apparently they can get the LaVoce made in 4 ohm. We spoke briefly about the B&C 21DS115-4 that you mention as the favorite. His input was that they were nearly the same driver in specs, so cost was the deciding factor between the 2. I then talked myself into possibly using the Eminence NSW6021-6. Jason informed me that there is a noticeable difference in output using the Eminence. The cost of the Eminence is definitely the limiting factor for me. It will also require a much larger amp than what I had anticipated. I planned on getting a second Crown XLI3500. The Eminence will need roughly 4 times what the crown is capable of. I would likely also need to run a line of 220 volts to the amp rack. I am flip flopping a lot about what to do. I don't want to miss out on anything. I also don't want a divorce over a pair of Subwoofers. She would get 1 of them. (Ha Ha) This will hopefully be the last Subwoofer system I will ever need to buy/build.

 

[JasonGSG]

Blanket or generalized lists like this are difficult without enclosure-specific data and amplification ability that directly influences the system performance, availability, cost & preferred type of Bass!
32" - Top Pick
Peirce Audio 12k HT, https://pierceaud.io/product/home-theater-series-12k-subwoofers/

24" - Top Pick
SI HS24, $1499.00, https://stereointegrity.com/product/hs-24/

21" Ipal - Top Pick
Lavoce 216.00IP,$TBD, http://www.lavocespeakers.com/single-product/?id=191

21" - Top Pick
Eminence NSW6021, $1149.00, 7yr warranty https://eminence.com/products/nsw6021_6

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

21" - 2nd Pick group
Lavoce SAN214.50/4ohm (new), $700.00, http://www.lavocespeakers.com/single-product/?id=106
B&C's 21DS/21SW, $830.00/$949.00

21DS115 4 Ω - LF Drivers - B&C Speakers

www.bcspeakers.com

21SW115 4 Ω - LF Drivers - B&C Speakers

www.bcspeakers.com

* Measurements of the 21DS vs SAN214 show these drivers as all but equals. With B&C's new pricing pushing well within reach of the NSW I'd say Eminence, Lavoce then B&C

18" - Top Pick (There are so many)
SI HST18, $1299.00, https://stereointegrity.com/product/hst-18-mkiii/
A few select JBL models, 2269, $1100.00 or so
Eminence NSW4018, $769.00, https://eminence.com/products/nsw4018_8
Lavoce's SAF/SAN, $320.00/$430.00

Single Product | Lavoce Italiana Pro Audio Speakers

www.lavocespeakers.com

Single Product | Lavoce Italiana Pro Audio Speakers

www.lavocespeakers.com

B&C's 18DS115/18SW115, $730.00/ $714.00

18DS115 8 Ω - LF Drivers - B&C Speakers

www.bcspeakers.com

18SW115 8 Ω - LF Drivers - B&C Speakers

www.bcspeakers.com

Fi has some nice models (the new HT line coming under a new company name)
Dayton has some nice models
18sound has a few, DD Audio, SI, Sundown......
* Dayton's VBSS PA460 (the 465 is disco), $170.00 was fun when it was $99.00 but at this price, the SAF184.03 makes more sense. There is a NEO PN470 at $250.00 that's interesting but again the SAF will beat it.

15" - Top Pick
SI HST15, Custom
SI SQL15, $369.00, https://stereointegrity.com/product/sql-series/
Eminence LAB15, $330.00, http://www.loudspeakerdatabase.com/Eminence/LAB15
Lavoce WAF154, $275.00, http://www.lavocespeakers.com/single-product/?id=67
Dayton's HE-22, RSS HO, MX-15 (not the UM15-22)

Happy Reasearching!!

 

[JasonGSG]

While I was still looking for drivers I also envisaged the B&C 18 and 21" IPAL models for their extreme excursions, but as a non-commercial user I could not get the required special amps to drive these 2 or 1 Ohm drivers.

I also looked at the 21SW152 and DS115, and also came to this - for me somewhat surprizing, or at least unexpected - conclusion:



I even looked at a few 24" units ... but at point I realized that drivers of 21" or more are usually overproportionalty more expensive than similarly well-built 15 and 18" models. They may offer 30 to 50% higher output based on Sd * Xmax, but often cost 60 to 90% more. It's better to use dual 15 or 18" instead.

Also, in an earlier project I experienced the "walking speaker" phenomenon (due to a single high moving mass subwoofer driver in a small enclusure), which is why I then decided for that impulse-compensated design with dual opposing 18" drivers.

Select model SpeakerPower HT series amps are designed to operate at 2ohm full time & will drive the Ipal drivers with no problem as would the Dynacord amps (Mucho $$)

 

[ddude003]

Sunn 610L driven by the Sunn Red Knob Beta Lead Amp Head... My friend played a Rickenbacher 4-string bass thru this kit way back when... And ran his stereo thru it at times... Eminence Legend BP102-4 10"... This maybe why I love 10" subs for stereo music today...

 

[IWC Doppel]

Don't forget the BMS 18N862, 19mm Xmax, high BL and only 260g. I get stellar performance using these to 42 Hz, obviously I could run higher, this is one in a 140L sealed (very rigid) enclosure in room, no gain, of filters apart from a PEQ at 34