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Post by bigjon on Dec 18, 2007 16:23:12 GMT -7
On paper it appears the new Tempest-X easily outranks the mighty MJ-18 in terms of displacement (thanks to more than double the Xmax). If my math is correct the new Tempest comes in at 4.27 liters peak to peak, while the larger 18" MJ is "only" 2.47L. Also, the Tempest seems to have favorable Fs and Qts (and of course Xmax) for IB usage. The Tempest is slightly more costly than the MJ, but with the current free shipping deal this difference is minimal. Will the Tempest-X's SQ be affected adversely due to the higher cone movement compared to the MJ, or is a higher Vd always better? Thoughts? Tempest-X: * Fs: 18.5 Hz * Le: 0.90mH * Re: 3.65 Ohms (Voice Coils wired in parallel) * Qms: 3.4 * Qes: .60 * Qts: 0.51 * Mms: 200g * Cms: 0.37 mm/N * Vas: 324L * Sd: 791 cm^2 * Vd: 4.27L * BL: 11.86 * X-max: 27mm * Pmax: 600W * SPL: 87.2 db/1W/1M Mach5Audio MJ-18 (8 / 4 Ohm) * Fs = 30.4 / 28 Hz * Re = 7.2 / 3.2 Ohms * Qes = 0.39 / 0.34 * Qms = 3.41 / 4.99 * Qts = 0.35 / 0.31 * Mms = 219 / 229 grams * Rms = 12.3 / 8.1 kg/s * Cms = 0.100 / 0.14 mm/N * VAS = 243.8 / 208.4 litres * Sd = 1029.2 cm2 * Xmax = 12 mm * Cone Diameter = 36.2 cm |
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Post by ThomasW on Dec 18, 2007 18:19:48 GMT -7
Before the devaluation of the dollar and increase in price for the MJ-18, it was a bargain driver. Now sorry to say for those living in the US it's virtually an also ran..
In addition it would take 2 MJ-18"s to equal the output of one Tempest-X.
So the 'what to buy' between these is a no-brainer
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Post by bigjon on Dec 18, 2007 19:05:20 GMT -7
So the 'what to buy' between these is a no-brainer That's what I was hoping, but it just seemed too good to be true. The Tempest-X is a steal given its T/S parameters, but there has not been much excitement generated, at least that is my perception.  I have yet to find someone who has ordered the new Tempest. Then again, it has only been available for a month. At $38.64/liter this driver would sit at the top of Rob's Driver Comparison Chart. This time last year I was seriously looking at the MJ-18s, and I remember the price being about US$100/shipped from Canada. I held off to see if SSA could bring the price down with US shipping, but the exchange rate has not helped much. A new job and new son have kept me busy since then, but I'm diving in right now by ordering a pair of Tempests. Thanks for your input! Jon |
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Post by diycable on Dec 18, 2007 19:20:16 GMT -7
I little bird told me that Tempest-X has a much better motor design too. ;D
Its kind of funny, but little attention has been paid to the quality of the design. I guess its difficult for the average consumer to compare. I can tell you though, all drivers are neither made, nor designed equally.
The design is good and I give you my word the T/S are accurate. Build quality has been top-notch too. I have yet to find a defective one so my warranty has yet to be tested.
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Post by bigjon on Dec 18, 2007 19:31:29 GMT -7
Well I just ordered a two-pack so let the circulation begin!
On a side note, DIYCable's customer service rocks - I had a detailed reply to my support request in just a few minutes.
I'll post pics and comments once everything is installed. Thanks guys!
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Post by iborbox on Dec 19, 2007 18:06:15 GMT -7
I ordered a 4-pack on Monday and kevin was very helpful! Due date is Christmas Eve!
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Post by mrogowski on Dec 21, 2007 6:22:38 GMT -7
I little bird told me that Tempest-X has a much better motor design too. ;D Its kind of funny, but little attention has been paid to the quality of the design. I guess its difficult for the average consumer to compare. I can tell you though, all drivers are neither made, nor designed equally. The design is good and I give you my word the T/S are accurate. Build quality has been top-notch too. I have yet to find a defective one so my warranty has yet to be tested. *SIGH* Let the egos shine through...  For the most part, I let other others operate in their own space with little, if any interaction. If there is interaction, it is usually on the positive side. If an issue arises, it is usually dealt with privately. That is called respect. Mark |
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Post by diycable on Dec 21, 2007 12:19:01 GMT -7
I little bird told me that Tempest-X has a much better motor design too. ;D Its kind of funny, but little attention has been paid to the quality of the design. I guess its difficult for the average consumer to compare. I can tell you though, all drivers are neither made, nor designed equally. The design is good and I give you my word the T/S are accurate. Build quality has been top-notch too. I have yet to find a defective one so my warranty has yet to be tested. *SIGH* Let the egos shine through... For the most part, I let other others operate in their own space with little, if any interaction. If there is interaction, it is usually on the positive side. If an issue arises, it is usually dealt with privately. That is called respect. Mark First off, I certainly didn't mean any disrespect and I'm sorry if you took it that way. I don't make statements like that without reason. I also don't have much of an ego when it comes to subwoofers. Its just a tool and I didn't design the thing to begin with. I had some input yes, but I leave the design work to Wiggins. Of course rather than running my mouth I'd be happy to submit the Tempest-X to Red Rock Acoustics for some Klippel testing. If you want to send one of your drivers I'm fairly confident the testing will show that I'm not boasting. I'm just making a simple factual statement that is easily verified by the proper testing. Making a statement that I think my driver is better designed than yours is not disrespectful in my opinion. Its my job to point out the areas where I think my product is better than its competition. That isn't disrespect, its selling my product based upon my knowledge of how it compares with others. Your free to do the same and I wouldn't consider it disrespectful if you feel that your product is better than mine. I'm willing to pay for the testing though and make it public if you are game. We can publish the Klippel testing for both here on the forum and let others judge how they compare based upon the data. |
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Post by mrogowski on Dec 21, 2007 17:34:28 GMT -7
Thank you for your clarification.
My philosophy regarding interacting with people in forums is obviously different from yours. I do not (or at least try not) to push products on people by postulating how technologies applied to one are superior to that of another. I let Mach 5 products speak for themselves. Folks these days are much more informed, thanks to the Internet, and can deduce the differences without having someone making statements like 'mine is better than brand X...'
I have seen that type of selling elsewhere, and it tends to turn people off real fast.
Regarding the request for a Klippel test, once again thank you, but I do not need one done. A Klippel test was performed on the MJ-18 long ago, and the results were quite close to my objectives. Any discrepancies that were identified by the testing have been corrected.
It might interest you to know that the MJ-18 has run its course and is nearing end-of-life. It will of course, continue to be supported, as the market penetration of this model is quite high. What comes in the future time will only tell.
I wish you the best of luck in your business ventures sir.
Regards,
Mark
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Post by diycable on Dec 22, 2007 10:08:10 GMT -7
Thank you for your clarification. My philosophy regarding interacting with people in forums is obviously different from yours. I do not (or at least try not) to push products on people by postulating how technologies applied to one are superior to that of another. I let Mach 5 products speak for themselves. Folks these days are much more informed, thanks to the Internet, and can deduce the differences without having someone making statements like 'mine is better than brand X...' I have seen that type of selling elsewhere, and it tends to turn people off real fast. Regarding the request for a Klippel test, once again thank you, but I do not need one done. A Klippel test was performed on the MJ-18 long ago, and the results were quite close to my objectives. Any discrepancies that were identified by the testing have been corrected. Regards, Mark My policy is that I try to promote my product by being involved with customers, via email, phone or forums. As long as I'm not misrepresenting the truth I see nothing that is morally challanging about that position. I'm typically even-handed and I give people advice based upon what I think is best for their situation. I don't hide behind false identities (I'm not insuating that you do) or have stooges with undisclosed motives pushing my product. I do it, in public, with my identity clearly known by all. I think that considering how the Internet works and how review magazines have operated historically, that is the moral high ground. In terms of the future, one of my goals is to produce a "value line". The Tempest-X, Shiva-X and Maelstrom-X (XJ-18)represent our premium drivers. Expect to see XBL^2 designs, with motors optimized for inductance & BL linearity at nearly half their cost. My goal is to make DIY home audio subs a low margin business. |
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Post by buyerchoice on Dec 31, 2007 1:27:40 GMT -7
If I have my facts straight, the Tempest used to be made by Adire and they went out of business. Is the Tempest X through DIYCable the same product?
If so, how did this happen? Thinking about buying an eight pack. Thanks.
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Post by diycable on Dec 31, 2007 18:16:39 GMT -7
If I have my facts straight, the Tempest used to be made by Adire and they went out of business. Is the Tempest X through DIYCable the same product? If so, how did this happen? Thinking about buying an eight pack. Thanks. Its a long story but here is the short and simple explanation. Adire Audio closed their doors early this year. The new drivers are designed by Dan Wiggins, the same guy that designed the old Shiva & Tempest, but they are now sold by Kevin Haskins of DIYCable. The new products use the Adire Audio XBL^2 motor technology and are updated with a couple other tricks Dan has learned over the years, not to mention have more linear output than their parents. |
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Post by mreprize on Jan 21, 2008 10:07:23 GMT -7
Congrats Bigjon!! I am very envious!!  I want to hear it when you get done! |
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Post by norpus on Mar 28, 2008 7:26:14 GMT -7
Good news for Australian diy IB enthusiasts A big bunch (2nd shipment) of Tempest-X have just landed in Melbourne. The website seems to still need updating but these are now available tinyurl.com/2eohkzI must apologise I have been too busy yet to replace my old broken tempests with my new Tempest-X (from the first small shipment) in my rear IB as yet (yep, lazy/busy combo), but must say they are impressive looking and I have no doubt at all they will be superior. Another good mate has replaced his Tempests with the new ones in his twin sealed box subs, and he is overjoyed with the result. Funnily enough he still longs for an IB (the builders of his new dedicated upstairs room stuffed up the original plan which involved IB), despite his box subs sounding excellent |
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Post by mrogowski on Apr 5, 2008 18:53:08 GMT -7
hi guys, Its been awhile since I've visited this site. Glad to see distributors and resellers are free to post sales leads here. Thought I would jump on the bandwagon... Just so friends in Oz know, Mach 5 has established a distributor in Australia. Mach 5 products should be available by the middle of May - with a couple of small surprises.  Keep in touch with the Mach 5 website for the launch of the new Oz distributor. Best regards, Mark |
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Post by norpus on Apr 10, 2008 6:17:18 GMT -7
hi guys, Its been awhile since I've visited this site. Glad to see distributors and resellers are free to post sales leads here. Thought I would jump on the bandwagon... Just so friends in Oz know, Mach 5 has established a distributor in Australia. Mach 5 products should be available by the middle of May - with a couple of small surprises. Keep in touch with the Mach 5 website for the launch of the new Oz distributor. Best regards, Mark Mark, I hope that wasn't aimed at me as I am not a distributor or reseller Glad to see you are helping out down under for Aust IB enthusiasts though - this is good to have more options here. Whom is the Oz distributor please? |
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