components or coaxials?
10-11-2005, 10:13 PM
#3
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 597
You can always get a great set of co-axials that have external crossovers as well.
If you are going to keep the component set mounted on the same plane (i.e. the tweeter above the midrange in the door) then I would go that route.
If the dash location is where you were planning to put the tweeters, I might suggest you go with the two pairs of co-axials then. Having the tweeters off-axis with the midrange of a component set is not the ideal installation.
If you are going to keep the component set mounted on the same plane (i.e. the tweeter above the midrange in the door) then I would go that route.
If the dash location is where you were planning to put the tweeters, I might suggest you go with the two pairs of co-axials then. Having the tweeters off-axis with the midrange of a component set is not the ideal installation.
10-12-2005, 04:10 PM
#4
50 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 61
would running these speakers off of a nakamichi 35z deck power influence the decision at all? i'm far from an audiofile and i don't need a lot of volume to fill the cab of a toyota truck. i have a pair of infinity reference 6000cs that i've had for about a year without being used. i currently have a pair of 4" infinity's and 6.5" alpine's and am happy with the sound, but better is always nice too.
10-13-2005, 03:43 PM
#6
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
^ Short answer
Long answer: which is better coax or components? A question for the ages (other questions of the ages include: which capacitor is best, does wire make a difference, why do they allow fighting in the NHL, and does size really matter).
In theory a coax is the ideal driver. In practice it is not always best. First of all a single driver that covers the entire frequency spectra is perfect for time alignment, for imaging, and for ease of installation. Second issue, in a car the ideal location for the ideal driver is seldom readily available. A third issue is many coax drivers are made of poorer performing materials that the deluxe component set (the lower cost of a coax, is good the poorer performance is not).
Those 3 issues are the best argument for component speakers. To get the best sound in your vehicle (first issue above), component speakers tend to excel due to the ability to locate the drivers for the best sound. The components generally are flagship drivers with expensive crossovers and the very best materials (Boston Acoustics, Tannoy and several other brands make top quality coaxial speakers). There is no reason you can’t get audiophile quality sound with a coax but sometimes components can be better.
A coax could sound best, it should cost less, it is easy to install, and is a good mate with low power applications, from your description and your priorities a coax makes sense.
Long answer: which is better coax or components? A question for the ages (other questions of the ages include: which capacitor is best, does wire make a difference, why do they allow fighting in the NHL, and does size really matter).
In theory a coax is the ideal driver. In practice it is not always best. First of all a single driver that covers the entire frequency spectra is perfect for time alignment, for imaging, and for ease of installation. Second issue, in a car the ideal location for the ideal driver is seldom readily available. A third issue is many coax drivers are made of poorer performing materials that the deluxe component set (the lower cost of a coax, is good the poorer performance is not).
Those 3 issues are the best argument for component speakers. To get the best sound in your vehicle (first issue above), component speakers tend to excel due to the ability to locate the drivers for the best sound. The components generally are flagship drivers with expensive crossovers and the very best materials (Boston Acoustics, Tannoy and several other brands make top quality coaxial speakers). There is no reason you can’t get audiophile quality sound with a coax but sometimes components can be better.
A coax could sound best, it should cost less, it is easy to install, and is a good mate with low power applications, from your description and your priorities a coax makes sense.
10-14-2005, 06:26 AM
#7
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 870
Another long answer:
Most (not all) coaxials use a simple capacitor to cross the tweeter over at 6dB/octave.
This has the advantage of the least loss of efficiency. The mid driver runs full range with no coils or resistors in the path.
The tweeter's natural peak at it's resonant frequency is somewhat attenuated, but 6dB/oct is not steep enough to eliminate the "harshness" that the spike produces.
The midrange can't play high frequencies very well either, so that adds another rough edge to the sound. Add in the fact that having both drivers playing the same upper mid-treble tones, and you get more IM distortion at those frequencies.
Components typically have 12dB/oct cross-overs.
This reduces the lower treble at the tweeter, reducing it's excursion, and eliminating the spike at it's resonance, while also removing the distorted treble from the mid.
This removal is perceived as a "loss" of overall volume, and brightness.
Another 3dB is lost as heat through the coils and resistors.
So...Coaxials require less power to get the same output, and are more suitable with deck power.
Components will sound nicer, and can be tolerated at much higher volumes, but require more power.
If you are willing to sacrifice a bit of volume, for a nicer sound go with the Comps....You can always add a small amp later.
Most (not all) coaxials use a simple capacitor to cross the tweeter over at 6dB/octave.
This has the advantage of the least loss of efficiency. The mid driver runs full range with no coils or resistors in the path.
The tweeter's natural peak at it's resonant frequency is somewhat attenuated, but 6dB/oct is not steep enough to eliminate the "harshness" that the spike produces.
The midrange can't play high frequencies very well either, so that adds another rough edge to the sound. Add in the fact that having both drivers playing the same upper mid-treble tones, and you get more IM distortion at those frequencies.
Components typically have 12dB/oct cross-overs.
This reduces the lower treble at the tweeter, reducing it's excursion, and eliminating the spike at it's resonance, while also removing the distorted treble from the mid.
This removal is perceived as a "loss" of overall volume, and brightness.
Another 3dB is lost as heat through the coils and resistors.
So...Coaxials require less power to get the same output, and are more suitable with deck power.
Components will sound nicer, and can be tolerated at much higher volumes, but require more power.
If you are willing to sacrifice a bit of volume, for a nicer sound go with the Comps....You can always add a small amp later.
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