Impression of 15" driver

[motrctyman]

Ok, I know that I am overthinking this...but have to ask the question.

I can get these drivers for $63.51 each if I get 10 of them. No a lot more than for 6 PE IB 15s.

I have built one with four PE IB15s but it was in a smaller room. My current room is 4114 cu/ft and am concerned with the change in output from a 2106 cu/ft room.

Knowing they have a lower xmax (and they are not on the very fine spreadsheet showing $/per liter and do not have a published Sd), does anyone have an impression of their performance? I was thinking the sensitivity gains in a manifold would be significant (5 per side) but would that overcome the borderline xmax this driver has?

I know it sounds odd, but to me, there is significant cool factor having 10 drivers but would hate to lose output for vanity's sake.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Driver Specs:

*Power Handling: 300 watts RMS/600 watts max
*VCdia: 2-1/2"
*Le: 3.5 mH
*Znom: 4 ohms
*Re: 3.45 ohms
*Magnet weight: 67 oz.
*Fs: 21 Hz
*SPL: 91.8 dB 2.83V/1m
*Vas: 6.60 cu. ft.
*Qms: 14.0
*Qes: .42
*Qts: .41
*Xmax: 10 mm

[ThomasW]

The higher sensitivity doesn't off-set a low Xmax.

The VERY HIGH Qms of the Quatro is really a problem, this means the driver's performance isn't linear.....

Maybe it's just me, but these kinds of things just aren't a bargain IMO.....

[smithski]

I can get these drivers for $63.51 each if I get 10 of them.

Ten of the Dayton Quatro 15's would be a nice enough setup for the $$$, IMHO.

Knowing they have a lower xmax (and they are not on the very fine spreadsheet showing $/per liter and do not have a published Sd),

If you click the specifications PDF on the PE webpage for the Quatro 15, it has the Sd listed as 813.6 sq. cm. This would make the Vd 1.63 L; or $38.96/L...which is about as cheap as you will find a driver right now.

I was thinking the sensitivity gains in a manifold would be significant (5 per side) but would that overcome the borderline xmax this driver has?

16.3 liters of displacement is certainly respectable. It's close to double the Vd of 4 IB 15's, so if you were happy with the performance of the 4 in your 2106 cu.ft. room; you would probably be happy with 10 Quatros in your 4114 sq.ft. room.

Caveats:

-The lower xmax would make them a bit more 'fragile' when it comes to overdriving.

-Wiring up 5 drivers/side would present an interesting challenge.

-Another concern is these aren't rated for downfiring if you are looking at a ceiling (non-manifold) install.

If you can get the Quatros at roughly 26% off, then I'm betting you can also get the same deal on the 15" IB's...making them about $1 a liter cheaper than the Quatros... ...8 of the IB 15's would probably make more sense.

Aaron

[motrctyman]

Thanks, both, for the input.

In regards to the higher sensitivity, I guess I wasn't trying to say they would substitute xmax, but by combining more drivers/more air with less power required to drive them it might be a deal.

Aaron, thanks for the heads up on the SD. I didn't stop long enough to look for the PDF.

I've always heard good things about this driver by folks that have used it (and it's little brothers 10/12). Because I could get 10 of them (that is the price break for ordering by quantity) for so cheap I thought it might be worth it. Eight of the IB's would be about $100 more and still a viable option.

Right now I'm listening to a 12" MKII in a 6' long 12" sonotube (ported) so I can get by til I figure out exactly what I want...although not as sweet as the IB....

I didn't stop and think about overdriving them. I just got done watching "The Two Towers" and consider it might be an issue.

Downfiring is not an issue as the attic is wide-open above and already framed for placement. I have double-stacked joists, 20" on center, directly above the screen open the entire width (about 17') of the ceiling. Thinking one 7'10" manifold open to below (assuming 5/side).

Hadn't even begun to think about wiring them...that alone might make it worth other options.

I'll think about the IB's...10 of those would be $809.00 or 8 would be $727.00...

I'm pretty sure 8 would probably do the trick.

[ThomasW]

I'll state this again. It's not always about the greatest displacement for the money. There are other considerations.

With the Quatros you get what you pay for. These are cheap drivers with marginal performance. So do not expect them to perform at a level equal to the usual drivers recommend on this forum.....

[zbigb]

I ran the specs in BB6pro and on the up side, it looks like it would take seven 15" IB's to equal ten of the drivers you described, for max db out on paper anyway. If you wanted to match the sound quality, (lower distortion due to non-linearity) you would need more of the drivers you are planning to buy.

One other consideration is that the suspension on this driver is soft. These look like they are intended for acoustic suspension boxes. Even if you drive these within the mechanical limits, they will not be as linear as an IB 15. Like Thomas said, you get what you pay for.

If you are comparing cost, remember to consider the shipping cost when using multiple drivers.

If you are into the multi-driver look, check out the thread "IB for under $30/L" Be ready to do some cutting

[motrctyman]

Thank you for taking the time to do that; it is very much appreciated!

I am going to abandon the idea of the Quatro. Nothing to gain and the "cool" factor isn't that cool with decreased performance.

My initial plans was to go with 4 of the 18's from Ascendant, but changed when I saw the cost of each. To let myself sleep at night I can't spend that much per driver. Also, it becomes much more challenging getting the box into the attic (with 18's) and it is no fun assembling boxes in the attic here in Texas.

Prior to the 18 announcement I was going to go with 6 IB 15's. Now I think I will go with 8 to start with and just add 4 more if I am not happy with the output. From you and Aaron it sounds like it should be similar to the 4 driver setup in the last theater room with the change in room volumen. Hopefully that is enough.

I have a lot of people that go in/out of my media room and want the capability of consistently dropping their jaws one split second after them telling me about their $2000 velodyne.

Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to help me. That is what makes this board so great! And Thomas for keeping the wheels on the track (and me on track too!)

[zene]

Thomas ... You said, "The VERY HIGH Qms of the Quatro is really a problem, this means the driver's performance isn't linear.....". Would you elabotate on Qms non-linearity or direct me to further info? Zene