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kickkerfreak
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is there any benefit to a subwoofer having a high sensitivity in a sound q system? and does it affect how a driver sounds? if all else is equal it looks like a high sensitivity driver could get to realistic music levels with less power than a sub with a low sensitivity. this theoretically could save money on amps and electrical systems?
or am i barking up the wrong tree here?

thanks KF
[Confused]

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winslow
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You are right.

Generally high efficiency speakers sound faster and ahve a more realistic sound to them IMO. But, you sacrifice output and bottom end for a given size for the higher efficiency.

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winslow
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FWIW, when I talk about high efficiency, I am talking 96+ db sensitivites...

--------------------
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kickkerfreak
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quote:
Originally posted by winslow:
You are right.

Generally high efficiency speakers sound faster and ahve a more realistic sound to them IMO. But, you sacrifice output and bottom end for a given size for the higher efficiency.

ok thanks. can the output and bottem end sacrifice be offset by using larger drivers than would normally be used in a given install? example; using a pair of high sensitivity 12's vs 10's with high xmax and low sensitivity?
and thanks again for helping me to understand this. [Smile]

KF

--------------------
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kickkerfreak
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quote:
Originally posted by winslow:
FWIW, when I talk about high efficiency, I am talking 96+ db sensitivites...

that is about the sensitivities i am talking about as well. these new drivers i am looking into at my local dealer (made in Italy) have sensitivities off 96db for the 10, 97 for the 12 and 98db for the 15. [Smile]

KF

--------------------
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deaf tones
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quote:
Originally posted by kickkerfreak:
quote:
Originally posted by winslow:
FWIW, when I talk about high efficiency, I am talking 96+ db sensitivites...

that is about the sensitivities i am talking about as well. these new drivers i am looking into at my local dealer (made in Italy) have sensitivities off 96db for the 10, 97 for the 12 and 98db for the 15. [Smile]

KF

link?

--------------------
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kickkerfreak
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ok here goes with the link [Smile]
Hertz

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mannynj2k2max
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some high sensitivity subs here too..
http://car.beyma.com/ENGLISH/familia.php?id=2

--------------------
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SSSnake
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I have not used these woofers but the mids and midbasses are very nice. 18" Hi efficiency standard magnet
and
18" Hi Efficiency Neo Magnet

--------------------
2004 Saturn Vue Red Line Edition
Alpine DVA9860
Alpine H701
MB Quart QTD-25
B&C 6MD38 6.5" Mid
B&C 8NDL51 8" Midbass
IDMAX (3)
MTX 81000D (3)
MTX 8302 (2)
MTX 6304 (2)

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SSSnake
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quote:
Originally posted by SSSnake:
I have not used these woofers but the mids and midbasses are very nice. 18" Hi efficiency standard magnet
and
18" Hi Efficiency Neo Magnet

These guys make all of the standard sizes. I just linked the 18"s because I was interested.

--------------------
2004 Saturn Vue Red Line Edition
Alpine DVA9860
Alpine H701
MB Quart QTD-25
B&C 6MD38 6.5" Mid
B&C 8NDL51 8" Midbass
IDMAX (3)
MTX 81000D (3)
MTX 8302 (2)
MTX 6304 (2)

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Bassphobia
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Aurasound's NRT 18-8 is probably your best bet...

18" sub
Neo magnet
96dB sensitivity
18mm linear xmax
BL 24.5
FS 25Hz
800 watts RMS and 3200 watt peak


Lambda Acoustics used to make subs that are high sensitivity and xmax, but they went out of subiness.

--------------------
98 Cadillac Deville

Premier TS-C504s
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Past Setup

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RFVega115
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Gotta love the old Vega 15"! [Wink]

96dB
20Hz

LOUD & LOW!! [Eek!]

--------------------
RF Vintage Old School Fanatic, The Punch Car Audio for the dedicated sound enthusiast with a passion for performance!!
Cerwin Vega! Turn It Up! Since 1954. 50(more)years of disturbing the peace!
-----------------------------------

83 Honda Civic Hatchback Lowrider
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SSSnake
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I like the old Vegas but never did believe the sensitivity numbers or the Fs.

--------------------
2004 Saturn Vue Red Line Edition
Alpine DVA9860
Alpine H701
MB Quart QTD-25
B&C 6MD38 6.5" Mid
B&C 8NDL51 8" Midbass
IDMAX (3)
MTX 81000D (3)
MTX 8302 (2)
MTX 6304 (2)

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reaper68
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Try looking at tcsounds new pro drivers the are similar to the aura 1808/seismic/levathin except they have more linear xmax but retain almost the same sensitivity.

--------------------
LOOKING FOR A BLOWN JBL GTI w15

Excessive Amperage
05 gto
tc 4hp 12's
Colossus II
DEAF SQuAD NoRtH
Audiophyle is a THIEF [Frown]
TC Sounds in all my rides [Smile]

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kickkerfreak
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quote:
Originally posted by reaper68:
Try looking at tcsounds new pro drivers the are similar to the aura 1808/seismic/levathin except they have more linear xmax but retain almost the same sensitivity.

i also have been looking at TC Sounds new lineup, looks great. i also like the tc-3000 series, allthough they may not have the sensitivity of the prosound drivers.

KF

--------------------
Clarion Pro Audio DXZ955MC
Kicker KQ5
Kicker SS56.2
DDaudio 1508
Kenwood KEC-600
Kicker zx460
Kicker zr360
Kicker xs100

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winslow
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Have any inductance numbers on the TC woofers?

Only CV woofer that I would believe that would have a sensitivity that high would be the Strokers.

--------------------
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deaf tones
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quote:
Originally posted by winslow:
Only CV woofer that I would believe that would have a sensitivity that high would be the *old* Strokers.

fixed..? [Confused]

--------------------
[Big Grin]

 -

quote:
it would all be for nothing without my favorite cawk-smoker NAvi


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winslow
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Werd.

--------------------
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reaper68
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Winslow when Ponte still worked them I know that he said that the drivers they were working on would be really similar to the levathin overall but those were the ones they are currently replacing. The new high end divers will be using a 4hp neo [Smile] So monster increase in motor strength, if you want more info hit up the tc forum they are prety good at relaying information.

--------------------
LOOKING FOR A BLOWN JBL GTI w15

Excessive Amperage
05 gto
tc 4hp 12's
Colossus II
DEAF SQuAD NoRtH
Audiophyle is a THIEF [Frown]
TC Sounds in all my rides [Smile]

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RFVega115
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quote:
Originally posted by deaf tones:
quote:
Originally posted by winslow:
Only CV woofer that I would believe that would have a sensitivity that high would be the *old* Strokers.

fixed..? [Confused]
http://www.cerwin-vega.com/products/mobileaudio/vega/vegasubwoofers.html

Click on VEGA 154 & 15D4

* Remember this is the *old* also, before CV got bought out by The Stanton Group. The older XL series were in the high 90's also.

--------------------
RF Vintage Old School Fanatic, The Punch Car Audio for the dedicated sound enthusiast with a passion for performance!!
Cerwin Vega! Turn It Up! Since 1954. 50(more)years of disturbing the peace!
-----------------------------------

83 Honda Civic Hatchback Lowrider
1 15" Cerwin Vega 'Vega' series
6 RF Coaxials 4" 5 1/4"
4 Realistic tweets (piezo/horn)
2 Rockford Fosgate Punch 150
RF XV1 x-over
RF PA1HD eq
Clarion 9772RT/Sirius
Stinger SP1000 Power2 & SP1700 Power2dB
SurePower Isolator
LOUD!!

LOUD ALARM/PAGER!!

34 Trophies (Show & Sound)!

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Rybaudio
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I think it is important here, with subs, to distinguish between rated "sensitivity" and real sensitivity over the bandwidth of the driver. The number usually used for the driver's "sensitivity" is the nominal level over the midband of the driver- above the rolloff, but with subs, you're usually using them below up to only slightly above the roloff of the driver. If you compare real sensitivities, the output/voltage of the driver in the range that you are using it, in the same size box, you'll often find that drivers with lower rated sensitivities are either close to or more sensitive that drivers with higher midband sensitivity.

Also, sensivity and efficiency are different things; you need to know the impedance of the driver (to know the current draw to get the power input) as well as the sensitivity in order to know the efficiency. Depending on what you are after, either one might be a good option. If you are primarily voltage limited with your amps, you may opt for a high-Q weak-motor woofer because it produces a lot of sensitivity around resonance, but if you are after efficiency, a high Bl driver will produce a huge impedance peak, meaning less current draw, less power consumed, and hence greater efficiency. If you are using it over a limited range, you may even be able to treat the driver as if it were a higher nominal impedance- for example, if you are using a high Bl woofer from 20-40 Hz with a resonance at 30 Hz and a dcr of 3 ohms, the actual impedance may be over 8 ohms from 20-40 Hz, so you could wire 2 in parrallel to an amp you normally wouldn't drive below 4 ohms- it doesn't matter that the dcr is low- the impedance is high over the range you are driving it.

My personal preference is for high efficiency, because less power -> less heat -> less dcr rise -> less compression -> better dynamics, but this requires more careful design. If you are primarily voltage limited by your amp, sensivity is probably the best goal, and my advice there is to model drivers you are considering so you can tell what their real sensivity is over the range you give a **** about.

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kickkerfreak
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quote:
Originally posted by Rybaudio:
I think it is important here, with subs, to distinguish between rated "sensitivity" and real sensitivity over the bandwidth of the driver. The number usually used for the driver's "sensitivity" is the nominal level over the midband of the driver- above the rolloff, but with subs, you're usually using them below up to only slightly above the roloff of the driver. If you compare real sensitivities, the output/voltage of the driver in the range that you are using it, in the same size box, you'll often find that drivers with lower rated sensitivities are either close to or more sensitive that drivers with higher midband sensitivity.

Also, sensivity and efficiency are different things; you need to know the impedance of the driver (to know the current draw to get the power input) as well as the sensitivity in order to know the efficiency. Depending on what you are after, either one might be a good option. If you are primarily voltage limited with your amps, you may opt for a high-Q weak-motor woofer because it produces a lot of sensitivity around resonance, but if you are after efficiency, a high Bl driver will produce a huge impedance peak, meaning less current draw, less power consumed, and hence greater efficiency. If you are using it over a limited range, you may even be able to treat the driver as if it were a higher nominal impedance- for example, if you are using a high Bl woofer from 20-40 Hz with a resonance at 30 Hz and a dcr of 3 ohms, the actual impedance may be over 8 ohms from 20-40 Hz, so you could wire 2 in parrallel to an amp you normally wouldn't drive below 4 ohms- it doesn't matter that the dcr is low- the impedance is high over the range you are driving it.

My personal preference is for high efficiency, because less power -> less heat -> less dcr rise -> less compression -> better dynamics, but this requires more careful design. If you are primarily voltage limited by your amp, sensivity is probably the best goal, and my advice there is to model drivers you are considering so you can tell what their real sensivity is over the range you give a **** about.

wow, thanks [Smile]

KF

--------------------
Clarion Pro Audio DXZ955MC
Kicker KQ5
Kicker SS56.2
DDaudio 1508
Kenwood KEC-600
Kicker zx460
Kicker zr360
Kicker xs100

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EastCoast
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Where you been dude?
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Rybaudio
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I check in here every once in a while- mainly been busy with work and school I guess. My audio pursuits have become mainly theoretical and home- I have been working on and off for Harman/Becker Automotive Systems doing various modeling/programming, and have been spending most of my personal audio time designing home speakers. Between that and my pursuits in other topics (physics, math), I haven't had much time for car audio unfortunately. What have you been up to?
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EastCoast
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Much needed vacationing....sadly its all done, and I don't think I had enough.
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