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Hypothetical mid-bass question

10K views 49 replies 18 participants last post by  Fish Chris 2  
#1 ·
Okay, so let's say you needed some good, solid 8", 4 ohm mid-bass drivers, which were also a good value.

But your "only" choices are....

1) 8" mid-range or full range drivers, or...
2) 8" subwoofers ?

Here's why I ask, at some point, especially if I decide to get my mid-bass drivers up on the bottom of my front doors, I'm going to want some better drivers.... But in my Google searches, I'm finding a bunch of 8" mid range or full range speakers... Usually with a frequency range of like 90-2000 hz.... And of course a ton of 8" subwoofers to choose from, typically with a frequency range of like 30-350 hz....

But "very few" actual mid-bass drivers, and those are typically very expensive, and often 8 ohms (I'm suspecting they are used more often for home audio)

So what I need are 8" drivers that will be grabbing from about 100-350.... As you can see, most of the 8" subs only play "up to" 350'ish... While most of the mid range of full range only play "down to" about 90 or 100....

I think the cheapies I have in there now are considered full range drivers.... They were like $12 closeout specials ?
Would some cheap 8" sub woofers be any better ?
I just can't see spending $500 or more for four 8" 4ohm, actual mid-bass drivers....
Your thoughts ?
 
#5 ·
So something like the Rockford Fosgate PPS4-8 is not what you are looking for, correct?

If I’m understanding the requirements correctly that you have for the speaker, I don’t think you’ll have much luck finding what you want at an easily affordable price point.

I think you will have to compromise somewhere, either on price or on the specs you’ll accept.
 
#6 ·
Thanks guys. Yea, kind of sucks, but I guess what it really comes down to, is that true mid-bass drivers are kind of a rare and therefore pricey commodity ?
I'll keep looking, but I guess if I rve get mid bass drivers in my front doors, not only will it be a ton of work, but very expensive as well ?

I guess nobody ever said this was a cheap hobby....
 
#20 ·
Thanks guys. Yea, kind of sucks, but I guess what it really comes down to, is that true mid-bass drivers are kind of a rare and therefore pricey commodity ?
I'll keep looking, but I guess if I rve get mid bass drivers in my front doors, not only will it be a ton of work, but very expensive as well ?

I guess nobody ever said this was a cheap hobby....
'
Yes true 8" midbass designed for auto can be expensive. You will also notice that some of the companies that had really good 8" drivers no longer make them. For instance the JL 800 is really, really good, but JL probably really only sold 10 of them. You can certainly look at raw drivers and subs, its going to be a matter of you chasing downs specs that model well enough to do IB in a door. In this case, if you really have to run an 8", this is where looking used helps.
 
#14 ·
You say you're going to move them to the doors, so what are the ones you're using now and how are they installed?

Man & Machine... Power Extreme!
Not even sure what ones I'm using now. I got them from Parts Express on a clearance for like $12 each, way back.... And I can't find that order now. They are definitely not a subwoofer though. Probably 8" mid range drivers.
They are installed in the back area of my truck, but crossed over pretty low, and don't really pull the sound back very noticeably..... I mean, to me anyway. But then I've never been super concerned with a perfectly centered front soundstage. I like loud, clear, and no major peaks and valleys.
I do have a few other reasons for wanting them up front in the doors though.... And I'm not saying the better imaging would be a bad thing.
 
#9 ·
Some of the AF subs go to 1000Hz... and the SS Wu18 are not cheap.

What frequencies do the MR start from? Or are you using a 2-way?
 
#16 ·
Assuming he has subs in the trunk or hatch, a mid-range 8" will definitely be better than an 8" sub. The subs will handle the fundamental bass notes (which are hard to localize), while the 8" mids will keep the lower-order harmonics in the front of the vehicle where they belong. And of course, the mids will play the mid-range freqs as well.

8" subs in front would keep the fundamentals up front, which isn't really necessary, and leave a big gap in the upper harmonics/midrange freq response
Okay, I get what your saying, but since my mid-bass drivers have always been in the back, behind the seats maybe it would be better if "they had been sub woofers" but moving them to the front, better as mid range ? Hmmm. That would make sense...
 
#13 ·
If you only intend to play them down to 100hz, why use an 8"? Any 6.5" can do that. The point of using a big midbass is to be able to dig lower with more authority, 8"s would be wasted if you only play them to 100hz.
 
#18 ·
Stevens Audio MB-8 (MB stands for mid bass). About a $100 a speaker. Check them out... might be what you're looking for?
 
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#19 ·
Hmmmm. Still pretty expensive though. I'm thinking like $50 or less. I'm going to need at least 4 of them, but honestly, I'd like 6 or 8 someday :) {just really feel like a daily driver needs 1200 or 1500 wts of mid-bass ;) lol}
 
#21 · (Edited)
Hey now.... anybody know anything about these ???

And honestly, I love my 18" Skar Audio subwoofer, so maybe these ?

And btw, while the top driver here is listed as a mid-bass speaker, the frequency range starts at 75hz. The Skar is listed as a mid-range, but the frequency range starts at 80hz. Not much difference. Yes, I know the numbers on paper don't always say much, but so far I've been really impressed with both my Skar subwoofer, and my Skar 4ch amp...

Edit; Wow, I like the specs on these even better !
Might be a better match with my 18" sub as well. I forgot to say, it doesn't "have to be an 8" driver :) Pretty sure 10"s would fit no problem also.
 
#31 · (Edited)
Hey now.... anybody know anything about these ???

And honestly, I love my 18" Skar Audio subwoofer, so maybe these ?

And btw, while the top driver here is listed as a mid-bass speaker, the frequency range starts at 75hz. The Skar is listed as a mid-range, but the frequency range starts at 80hz. Not much difference. Yes, I know the numbers on paper don't always say much, but so far I've been really impressed with both my Skar subwoofer, and my Skar 4ch amp...

Edit; Wow, I like the specs on these even better !
Might be a better match with my 18" sub as well. I forgot to say, it doesn't "have to be an 8" driver :) Pretty sure 10"s would fit no problem also.
For what it's worth I run these PRV as my bass stage on my Harley in the bags facing the rear wheel.


I would listen to the other guys with way more experience than me though.
 
#22 ·
The SLS 8 is about 55 a pop, really only plays from like 60-300, good xmax, like 86db.

The eat up the power are 8 ohm and do like large sealed/IB type set up though.

If you've got a dedicated midrange you really only need to go to about 300hz for a midbass, most subs don't really do that.
 
#23 · (Edited)
I REALLY like the looks of these ! ....and a frequency range starting at 46hz.... should do 90-300 really well !

Ah.... bummer... 8 ohm :( Unless I ran 4 of them in each door :) lol
 
#25 ·
Well you saw that the Dayton's were 8 ohm right ? But the 10" PRV's above are 4 ohm, and the specs look good. I will probably get those and install them in the current location in the back, just to test them.... but then I will start some research on building custom door panels, and eventually try to move those up front...
 
#30 ·
Okay, so let's say you needed a good, solid driver to install T27 Torx head fasteners.

But your "only" choices are....

1) 4mm Hex Wrench
2) #3 Phillips

Image
 
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#37 ·
You don't have to lose what the sub adds st the top of its range of use. You just have to get it to blend with the mids without detracting from the appearance of bass being up front. It's all in the tune. That is one reason I don't use -24db LR for most of the subs I've used, it's too abrupt on most clean and detailed subs. It kills off some of the useful response beyond the crossover point that adds to summing.

Man & Machine... Power Extreme!
 
#40 ·
You don't have to lose what the sub adds st the top of its range of use. You just have to get it to blend with the mids without detracting from the appearance of bass being up front. It's all in the tune. That is one reason I don't use -24db LR for most of the subs I've used, it's too abrupt on most clean and detailed subs. It kills off some of the useful response beyond the crossover point that adds to summing.

Man & Machine... Power Extreme!
You bring up some really good points here. I'm definitely going to play with my X-over points a bunch more, when I get my DSP in, and see if I can get more out of my 8" mod bass drivers ... But also going to try up to 120 hz with my sub, because honestly vi think that will sound great too ?
 
#38 ·
I would look for drivers with very low Le (inductance). Otherwise look for drivers like DYNAUDIO MW 170, Old Focal Utopia, JBL 800 GTI, Morel Elate 9, JL audio ZR800, Hybrid L8/L8se,......
 
#44 ·
As an exmple of pro audio drivers, my personal speakers are designed for home audio/theater but have a pro audio pedigree. The horn-loaded compression driver has a sensitivity of over 100dB. To keep up my MIDRANGES are 12” with 95dB sensitivity and barely play below 80Hz. But unlike most speakers that you turn up and at a certain point the speakers get unhappy, mine will stay perfectly clear (and detailed) and you’ll be the one hurting before they are.
 
#48 ·