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About Vance Dickason

Vance Dickason has been working as a professional in the loudspeaker industry since 1974. A contributing editor to Speaker Builder magazine (now audioXpress) since 1986, in November 1987 he became editor of Voice Coil, the monthly Periodical for the Loudspeaker Industry, today published by KCK Media Corp. His globally acclaimed book Loudspeaker Design Cookbook is now in its 8th Edition, published by KCK Media. A life member of the Audio Engineering Society, Vance received the 1995 AES Citation Award for his long term contribution to audio education, and the 2013 Beryllium Award, Lifetime achievement from ALMA (Associating of Loudspeaker Manufacturers and Acoustics, now ALTI Association). Since 2001, he also does business as Vance Dickason Consultancy based out of Portland, Oregon, working as an independent engineering consultant to loudspeaker manufacturers.

All items written by Vance Dickason

Voice Coil Test Bench: New Celestion TSQ2145 21" Pro Sound Subwoofer

September 24, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Voice Coil Test Bench: New Celestion TSQ2145 21" Pro Sound Subwoofer

Celestion's TSQ2145 21" subwoofer is the latest example of a neodymium, low-frequency loudspeaker, from the 10 Squared line-up (TSQ for short) from the British company. The TSQ2145 is rated for 1800W AES (3600W continuous) power, and was designed to be integrated in large power multi-way sound reinforcement systems, or to be used as a dedicated subwoofer in bass reflex designs.

Test Bench: The 27TFC/T 1" Soft Dome Tweeter from the SEAS Prestige Titan Line

September 17, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: The 27TFC/T 1" Soft Dome Tweeter from the SEAS Prestige Titan Line

The 27TFC/T is a new 1" (25mm) tweeter featuring a one-piece centenary profile dome and wide surround fabricated from SEAS pre-coated lightweight Sonolex material, both integrated into an injection molded faceplate. The voice coil consists of a non-magnetically conducting titanium former wound with round copper wire. Driving the removable dome assembly is a ferrite magnet with a damped vented pole piece that is coupled to an injection molded rear cavity. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, May 2025.

Test Bench: The New TW 104.28 N/Ag 1.1" Soft Dome Tweeter from RS Speakers

September 9, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: The New TW 104.28 N/Ag 1.1" Soft Dome Tweeter from RS Speakers

RS Speakers is a new Italian brand recently introduced by SICA Altoparlanti, to enter the high-end home transducer market. The driver on this Test Bench is a 28mm soft dome tweeter that features a treated silk dome directly bonded to the voice coil, with a wide roll surround and an unusual wire screen to keep the damping in place beneath the dome.

Dayton Audio OmniMic 40k and Digital Audio Test System Loudspeaker Analyzer (DATS LA) Measurement Tools

August 27, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Dayton Audio OmniMic 40k and Digital Audio Test System Loudspeaker Analyzer (DATS LA) Measurement Tools

This article offers an overview of Dayton Audio's new OmniMic 40k and the Digital Audio Test System Loudspeaker Analyzer (DATS LA). The OmniMic 40k is a substantial upgrade from the original Dayton OmniMic V2 measurement system, while the new DATS LA is an entirely new loudspeaker measurement analyzer and software, using a patented DC offset bias technique to derive both small and large signal parameters, including both linear and nonlinear output capability.

Outboard DSP: miniDSP Flex HTx Audio Processor

August 6, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Outboard DSP: miniDSP Flex HTx Audio Processor

Expanding on Voice Coil's series of explorations in the world of outboard DSP, this article reviews the Flex HTx, one of the most interesting rack units from Hong Kong-based miniDSP. The 8 in 8 out miniDSP SHARC chip-based HTx processor is primarily intended to support home theater applications and has both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs. It is a more cost-effective model than the previously featured DSP processors mentioned in this series, with a retail price of $570 for the TRS balanced IO model.

Test Bench: Wavecor TW030TU03 30mm Graphene-Coated Soft Dome Tweeter

July 23, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Wavecor TW030TU03 30mm Graphene-Coated Soft Dome Tweeter

This latest Wavecor soft dome tweeter is specifically intended for car audio applications. Like other models, the new 4Ω TW030TU03 includes a 30mm wide surround with a precision-coated graphene-reinforced cloth diaphragm optimized for high-frequency cutoff above 20kHz. The design also features internal chambers below the dome and surround edge, dual neodymium magnets vented into a damped rear chamber, copper-clad aluminum voice coil winding with a vented voice coil former, and flexible lead wires.

Test Bench: The D2908/716000 TPCD Metamodal 1” Dome Tweeter from Scan-Speak's Revelator Line

July 16, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: The D2908/716000 TPCD Metamodal 1” Dome Tweeter from Scan-Speak's Revelator Line

Scan-Speak has been working with Composite Sound to develop a generation of metamodal thin-ply carbon diaphragms (TPCDs), engineered to fully replace the almost impossible-to-source and extremely expensive beryllium domes. The Scan-Speak D2908/716000 1” Revelator TPCD tweeter, which replaced the Revelator D2908/714000, now includes a new 1" TPCD metamodal diaphragm, combined with the patented Scan-Speak Symmetrical Drive SD-2 neodymium motor structure.

Test Bench: The New Beyma CD-314Nd/TI Compression Driver and Horn

July 9, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: The New Beyma CD-314Nd/TI Compression Driver and Horn

Acustica Beyma continues to expand its range of products from solid foundations in professional audio, now also to emerging installation and even high-fidelity applications, while implementing a solid environmental stance. This 1.4" throat, high-power-handling compression driver, characterized with the new Beyma 60° × 40° TD-1464P horn, is targeted for mid- to large-venue PA systems and is one example of those efforts.

Test Bench: GAIT BGD-D72-64-4-0A1 Glass Diaphragm 1" Dome Tweeter

July 2, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: GAIT BGD-D72-64-4-0A1 Glass Diaphragm 1" Dome Tweeter

Glass Acoustic Innovations Technologies (GAIT) is a company from Taiwan and a renowned specialist in Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) diaphragm technology, quickly gaining recognition in hifi and high-end audio circles. This 1" dome super tweeter uses a unique glass diaphragm formed using a chemical strengthening process, and includes a 1” voice coil and neodymium magnet motor, assembled with an injection-molded plastic faceplate, a phase plug, and a damped rear chamber.

Test Bench: Dayton Audio’s Ultimax II 8-22 8” Subwoofer

June 24, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Dayton Audio’s Ultimax II 8-22 8” Subwoofer

This powerful Dayton Audio Ultimax II 8-22 8" subwoofer from the company's recently upgraded series maintains many common features with the original Ultimax drivers. After having examined the Ultimax II 10" version in January 2025, this Test Bench looks at the new 8" version where the very stiff and thick carbon fiber cone stands out with the NBR surround, assisted by the two flat 6" diameter cloth spiders.

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