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In the Forum: Horn-Loaded Speakers
In the Thread: The African compression electromagnet drivers?

Post Subject: High Voltage ?Posted by Kerry Brown on: 11/20/2013

Years ago, the two different systems in which I heard RCA 1428s - in a fairly big warehouse and crammed into a basement listening room - used giant RCA multi-cell horns in combination with giant Ubangi bass bins, passive crossovers and vintage WE or Telefunken tube amps. Both systems sounded very good considering what they were, and the sound of the 1428s was clearly different, better, than similar systems I heard in the same rooms which used WE 555 and or JBL 375s.
Those giant systems sounded completely different than mine of course. I only use straight horns, except for the Edgar Seismic Subs. I multi-amp with Class D machines, my crossovers are DSP processors, I don't try for broad dispersion my sweet spot is very narrow, on and on. My setup is not similar to 'vintage' theater systems. But the 'sound' of the 1428s in those vintage systems was still very good - relative to other cinema type systems - and mentally translatable to my sort of 'studio monitor' system.
As you say though, to fairly evaluate a specific component it must be plugged into a familiar system.
I can't speak to the differences between high voltage and low voltage f.c. drivers as I have never listened to a high voltage f.c. driver. In fact, I have never seriously listened to any other f.c. drivers besides mine. However, I have lived with and listened to many other drivers, including Vitavox S-2s, Altec 288s, JBL 375s etc., etc., and compared to any other driver I have heard the modded B&C's are clearly superior. In my system, and by logical extension, in any system.
I do know that folks who have tried high voltage versions of the 1428 have remarked that the sound is not much different, if different at all, than the low voltage version. In any case, it would be interesting to compare if someone can fabricate B&Cs with high voltage motors.
I will read up on your YO186+S2+Injection idea, I'm sure it sounds good if you are satisfied with it. I am just saying there's something out there that clearly, obviously sounds better than any metal dome drivers I have ever heard. And it's not expensive. And it's easily available.
Using a chamois outer suspension may be a good idea. The Cogent boys do it. I am very pleased with the sound of the paper diaphragms but I do have two spares, maybe I should give leather perimeter suspension a chance.
Anyhow, wish I could attach a photo of one of my spare diaphragms, it's quite different to the usual metal dome. I will give it another shot, any tips if it does not work ?

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