Best inexpensive Driver for 511Bs?

[biscuithead]

I'm looking for a good inexpensive alternative Mid-range driver for some 511Bs...

Thoughts and advice please...

 

[biscuithead]

Anyone using the Parts express under $60 drivers with 511s?

 

[mhardy6647]

I wouldn't admit this just anywhere -- but a few years back I bought a pair of cheap-Jack Pyle compression drivers to experiment with a pair of 511Bs... and they didn't sound half-bad Not that I remember the model -- I can look if one's really interested. They were cheap and they're heavy.

Note that the horns deserve better... but since, inexplicably, bowtie427ss hasn't answered the question yet ;-) I figured I'd mention that.

 

[bowtie427ss]

First thing that comes to my mind is another question.

How low do you want to go?

 

[elitopus]

First thing that comes to my mind is another question.



How low do you want to go?

Yeah all the drivers that PE offers only go down to 1500hz.
Here is my recent thread on the topic.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=652106

 

[cube-tube]

If you go 3-way and use a separate tweeter, you can get the Selenium D250-X crossed over at 500Hz with a 2nd order network. It's essentially what people use to replace the original Klipsch K55 midrange driver, which I might add sounds MUCH better coming through the 511B horns. Ask me how I know.

The 511B horn can support 400Hz, so you'll be perfectly fine with the D250-X. You just need a tweeter of some sort to complete the system.

http://www.parts-express.com/selenium-d250-x-gw-1-phenolic-horn-driver-1-3-8-18-tpi--264-204

Oh, and don't forget the horn adapters. You'll need those too...

http://www.parts-express.com/selenium-adf25-25-horn-adapter--264-322

 

[bowtie427ss]

The 511B horn can support 400Hz,

The 511 hardly provides an adequate acoustic load at 800hz.

To suggest it is usable at 400hz is almost as ludicrous as using a 5/8 throat screw on driver and adapter on it for any purpose hoping to approach hifi.

 

[mhardy6647]

The 511 hardly provides an adequate acoustic load at 800hz.

To suggest it is usable at 400hz is almost as ludicrous as using a 5/8 throat screw on driver and adapter on it for any purpose hoping to approach hifi.

Yup, to both counts... the 511B is -- perhaps -- the horn of choice for... 800 Hz and up. That 500 Hz figure seems like marketing -- or wishful thinking.

 

[twiiii]

I never liked to use the 511 below 750 HZ when Bi amping, 3rd order crossover, not only for the sound quality, but for power handling, too. I could run to 808 or 908's all day with one channel Mac 2120 or 2125 with power guard light flashing and never blow the diaphragms. Thats about 75 watts a driver rated at 30 watts. If you can find an Emilar driver in good shape you will have a great combination. Same power handling as the 908/808 but better HF response, almost as good as a 802 which was rated at 12 to 15 watts rms.

 

[bowtie427ss]

I never liked to use the 511 below 750 HZ when Bi amping, 3rd order crossover, not only for the sound quality, but for power handling, too. I could run to 808 or 908's all day with one channel Mac 2120 or 2125 with power guard light flashing and never blow the diaphragms. Thats about 75 watts a driver rated at 30 watts. If you can find an Emilar driver in good shape you will have a great combination. Same power handling as the 908/808 but better HF response, almost as good as a 802 which was rated at 12 to 15 watts rms.

Yes. :yes:

The symbiotik diaphragm that's stock for an 808/908 was designed for high power, high SPL sound reinforcement applications. The aluminum alloy dome is thicker than the standard diaphragms to voice out the HF resonances encountered when driving an 802/902 to the point of "crying". The surround is highly flexible Kapton allowing larger excursion without the metal fatigue associated with running the tangential aluminum surround diaphragms in high excursion/power apps.

The final inspection test for 808's required that they handle a 500hz sine wave at 30 watts input without the diaphragm physically contacting the phase plug. This is why you will find some original 808's with paper shims between the diaphragm hub and driver face.

 

[Sam Cogley]

If you go 3-way and use a separate tweeter, you can get the Selenium D250-X crossed over at 500Hz with a 2nd order network. It's essentially what people use to replace the original Klipsch K55 midrange driver, which I might add sounds MUCH better coming through the 511B horns. Ask me how I know.

The 511B horn can support 400Hz, so you'll be perfectly fine with the D250-X. You just need a tweeter of some sort to complete the system.

http://www.parts-express.com/selenium-d250-x-gw-1-phenolic-horn-driver-1-3-8-18-tpi--264-204

Oh, and don't forget the horn adapters. You'll need those too...

http://www.parts-express.com/selenium-adf25-25-horn-adapter--264-322

You do realize that Selenium makes a bolt-on driver, right?