Test Bench: Dayton Audio LW150-4 6” Ultra-Low-Profile Midwoofer

This edition of Test Bench characterizes Dayton Audio’s new 6” diameter ultra-low-profile midwoofer, the LW150-4. This is a new ultrathin profile cone 6” diameter midbass driver featuring a six-spoke cast-aluminum frame with a 1.5” total depth. The depth reduction is significant as the motor assembly is housed inside the frame and uses a neodymium slug and a 1.5” diameter return cup that incorporates a T-pole. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, March 2016.

In this Test Bench, Voice Coil characterizes two high-end compression drivers and horns from Eminence, the N314T-8 with the H14EA horn, and the N320T-8 with the H2EA horn. Both these neodymium motor compression drivers from Eminence share pretty much the same feature set. The main difference is the N314T-8 is configured for a 1.4” throat, and the N320T-8 is configured for a 2” diameter throat. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2016.

This Test Bench focuses on SB Acoustics’ Satori high-end line of drivers, the Satori TW29RN. This neodymium 29-mm ring dome features a surround coated cloth ring-type diaphragm, a non-reflective cast-aluminum rear cavity, a two-part aluminum faceplate with integrated mechanical decoupling, dual balanced compression chambers, high saturation neodymium ring type motor magnet with a T-shaped pole and dual copper shorting rings, a CCAW voice coil, a foam mounting gasket, and gold-plated terminals. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2016.

For this Test Bench I received Morel's new soft dome tweeter, the 28 mm TSCT 1044. As part of the Supreme line, the TSCT 1044 and the similar TSCT 1144 (which is the same tweeter with a larger faceplate) are both an entirely new design for Morel and incorporates the company’s Improved Dispersion Recess (IDR) faceplate design, which is a shaped inset in the round metal faceplate. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2016.

This Test Bench characterizes the 10N501, a distributed neodymium magnet motor 10” woofer from Ukrainian pro sound OEM manufacturer MAG Audio. The MAG 10N501’s removable self-centering motor system is comprised of 12 28 mm × 8 mm polished neodymium slugs sandwiched between an 8 mm front plate and a two-part, cleverly designed T-yoke. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, January 2016.

Eminence sent a 6.5″ driver from their lightweight Professional Neodymium Series, the Alphalite 6A, which, along with the Kappalite and Deltalite series, makes up the neo woofer/midrange offering from Eminence. The Alphalite 6A is described as a lightweight pro audio mid/bass driver, designed for sealed, vented, or infinite baffle applications. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, June 2010.

Yamaha has launched its latest MT Series headphones, the HPH-MT8 and HPH-MT5, developed to provide the high levels of precision and fidelity required for professional monitoring applications. Like the HPH-MT7 model, introduced in 2015, the new MT Series headphones are designed to deliver flat, high-resolution sound with precise stereo imaging and faithful source signal reproduction, while providing a high level of isolation and comfort to ward off fatigue during extended monitoring sessions.

The driver I examined this month was Italian Pro Sound OEM manufacturer B&C Speakers’ new high temperature polymer diaphragm DE110-8 compression driver coupled with B&C Speakers’ ME10 90° × 60° hyperbolic cosine flare horn (see Photo 1). The ultra compact DE110-8 joins B&C Speakers’ extensive series of 1” throat compression drivers. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2015.

B&C Speakers is now shipping its new MBX Series. The new MBX series of mid-bass woofers is available in 6.5-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch frame sizes. Designed as a solution for two way systems and multi-driver applications, the new series offer a balance between low and mid frequency reproduction, with high sensitivity for reduced amplifier current requirements. All woofers feature a neodymium ring magnet, copper-clad aluminum voice coil wire, ventilated voice coil gap, weatherproof hydrophobic paper cones, and an aluminum demodulation ring.

Audioengine, from Austin, Texas, could very well be called “the sensible audio company” because their products always make sense: they have great design, sound great, are reasonably priced and they match today’s consumer profiles perfectly. Audioengine knows wireless and computer audio well and knows how, increasingly, people listen to music on a desktop or in close proximity to speakers. For that market, Audioengine released a passive version of their HD6 powered speakers.