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Most efficient 8's?

#4
Triclops said:
oh...Well what would you recomend to replace the drivers in a Henry the 8x8? I am looking to upgrade the power handling,and make it a more efficient cabinet.
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Nothing. Don't mess with it. The power handling rating is irrelevant - it'll handle 1000W+ amps being driven to the edge of clipping. If you want more efficiency you'll have to give up bottom - now do you really want more midrange efficiency? Or do you just want more bass?

Alex
 
#5
I'm going to be running 850 watts through it,and am a little worried about its 450 watt power rating...I don't want to blow it up,it cast me 1100 bucks. I also think it would sound even better with more efficient drivers.
 
#8
how about a second opinion?.
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OK, you're ugly too.

But seriously, more sensitive (not more efficient, it's not the same thing, and a term almost never used by loudspeaker engineers) drivers get that way for the most part by using larger magnets. Larger magnets lower the Qts factor of the driver, and a lower Qts results in reduced low frequency response. The main limiting factor in how loud and/or low you can go is usually the size of the cabinet. If it's not loud enough add another cab. Nine times out of ten that's a far more effective route than going with a larger head.
 
#12
Triclops said:
I've got the "custom swr" drivers in mine, and can't find ANY technical info on them...It doesn't even say on the back what ohmage they are!
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Impedance is the correct term, and yes, manufacturers are generally very tight lipped about the specs on their drivers. A cynic mght say that's because they don't want anyone to know what the drivers are that they use. That doesn't necessarily have anything to do with their quality, but if you had to pay $100 for an OEM replacement and knew the specs so that you could get an equivalent for half that price it would put a big dent in manufacturers replacement driver sales. They won't give out the specs because they know the only reason you're asking for them is to shop around.

The other scenario that occurs often with larger companies is that they don't know the specs, and the only information they have is a part number from their (usually Eminence) supplier, as specified by the designer of the cabinet.
 
#14
Triclops said:
ah ha!
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There is usually a sticker on the side of the magnet that has some codes on there. Quick internet search, and you can find who actually manufactured the drivers. But, there again, you will probably only be able to get them from SWR. Your cab was designed for those speakers, and changing them would almost 100% have a negative effect somewhere.

I have an Ampeg SVT48HE which is a 4x8, and it has plastic cone drivers with rubber surrounds. This cabinet has a ton of low end for it's small size, and that is because it was designed that way. Changing to a different speaker would hurt that much more than it would help.

The best way is to add your 15" cab to get more low end. This will also split your power between two cabs, if you are worried about power handling.
 
#15
yeah...My cab should arrive this afternoon,and that should be what the doctor ordered. It should take some stress of Henry.
This is just my first expierience with 8s and though they sound great, I am afraid of the nightmare of blowing one of them,and having to go through the hassle of getting them replaced.PLUS blowing speakers is not covered by the warranty,seeing as I'm powering them with the 750x as opposed to the 350x (which they recommend)
 

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