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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Exceptional loudspeakers drivers

Post Subject: Cinema/PA type driversPosted by Paul S on: 3/12/2013

Not to dismiss the matter of the (non) existence of the FC L405, since I have not seen one, and I do not know (or care) about this...

Regarding the "applications" for the cinema/PA-type drivers, broadly speaking, these drivers were/are "purpose built" to play (loudly) to crowds. Period. IMO, it might take some "adapting" to make some of them "work" in a demanding home system, if they would ever "work" there at all. Not that this will stop, or even slow down, the "Klangfilm Crowd", who seem to have their own, mostly-fraternal agenda. Turning this last statement around, the typical Klangfilm Fraternity installation might not be the best way to listen "seriously" to "Serious Music", and it takes some expereince, I think, even to "elvaluate" the drivers themselves under such circumstances.

Perhaps part of the "fun" of some of these drivers is that they are "hard to find", and more fun might derive from relative sensitivity, if they can make a lot of sound from a low-powered amp. In some cases the stock motors can be adapted for use with lighter cones; but no one should assume that this is all there is to it. For demanding home use one always has to get the best and ameliorate the worst from any given driver, even when one starts with "the best" drivers (or "the best parts" from "the best drivers").

Any armchair "ranking" of [stock] drivers should include consideration of the original intended use along with any specific contemporary applications. Many of the contemporary applications for older drivers that I've seen/heard on YouTube (and the like) strike me as being far from my personal interests.

My own limited experience with field coil drivers is that, other factors being equal, it is "easier" to tune FC drivers to a more "even" response. And at some point, this might be worth a lot. But taking this alone does not make "other considerations" go away.

Paul S

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