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About Vance Dickason
Vance Dickason has been working as a professional in the loudspeaker industry since 1974. A contributing editor to Speaker Builder magazine (now audioXpress) since 1986, in November 1987 he became editor of Voice Coil, the monthly Periodical for the Loudspeaker Industry, today published by KCK Media Corp. His globally acclaimed book Loudspeaker Design Cookbook is now in its 8th Edition, published by KCK Media. A life member of the Audio Engineering Society, Vance received the 1995 AES Citation Award for his long term contribution to audio education, and the 2013 Beryllium Award, Lifetime achievement from ALMA (Associating of Loudspeaker Manufacturers and Acoustics, now ALTI Association). Since 2001, he also does business as Vance Dickason Consultancy based out of Portland, Oregon, working as an independent engineering consultant to loudspeaker manufacturers.

All items written by Vance Dickason
Test Bench: Precision Devices PD.185N02 Woofer
July 12, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Precision Devices PD.185N02 Woofer

I received a transducer for this month’s Test Bench review from a pro sound OEM company that has not previously appeared in Test Bench — Precision Devices from the UK. Precision Devices sent the PD.185N02, a new 18” high-power handling neodymium motor woofer, from its next-generation transducer range, which features four different 18” models. Intended for use as a sub bass driver or woofer in bass reflex and horn loaded systems, this driver can also be used in closed box designs. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2015.
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Test Bench - Scan-Speak 5F/8422T01 2” Full-Range Driver
July 3, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench - Scan-Speak 5F/8422T01 2” Full-Range Driver

Scan-Speak’s 5F/8422T01 is a 2” diameter full-range driver, ideal for TV, multimedia, and lifestyle speakers, and part of the brand’s Discovery series which offers traditional design combined with a solid construction in a wide range of variants at a reasonable low price point. As Vance Dickason notes, “Scan-Speak set out to make the best 2” full range on the market, and I think it did quite well with its new 5F/8422T01.” This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2013.
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New Dedicated Headphone QC Analyzer from LoudSoft
June 29, 2016 by Vance Dickason

New Dedicated Headphone QC Analyzer from LoudSoft

Following a preview earlier this year at the ALMA International Symposium and Expo 2016, in Las Vegas, Danish audio test and measurement specialist LoudSoft has now simultaneously released its new dedicated headphone/earphone hardware analyzer, FINE Hardware 2 with its new headphone/earphone QC software, FINE QC/Headphone. The solution is able to is able to test a headphone in 1 second, including Left-Right difference and Rub & Buzz for both, and the test cycle can also include Noise Cancel Test, both passive and active, in less than 10 seconds.
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Test Bench - Beyma 12MC500 12” Pro Sound Woofer
June 27, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench - Beyma 12MC500 12” Pro Sound Woofer

This month’s Test Bench focuses on Acustica Beyma’s 12MC500 12” pro audio woofer. This unique woofer with competitive features and performance for a 2,5” voice coil ceramic magnet design features Malt Cross technology, Beyma´s patented advanced cooling system and handles up to 1000 w program power, managing to drastically reduce losses due to power compression. This woofer is low in weight for a ceramic woofer and a competitive candidate for line array systems. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2013.
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Eminence D-fend SA300
June 22, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Eminence D-fend SA300

In 2013, Eminence Speaker introduced the D-fend SA300, a fully programmable stand-alone unit designed to protect passive loudspeakers from excessive power conditions. With patent-pending technology, D-fend enables maximum driver performance while ensuring damage-free operation. D-fend eliminates worries about blown speakers, HF drivers, or crossovers; or even worse, fire caused by excessive heat. This article was published in Voice Coil, October 2013.
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Test Bench: B&C Speakers DE1085TN 2” Titanium Diaphragm Compression Driver Coupled to a B&C ME60 Horn
May 28, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: B&C Speakers DE1085TN 2” Titanium Diaphragm Compression Driver Coupled to a B&C ME60 Horn

This Test Bench characterizes the DE1085TN driver, a new high power handling titanium diaphragm DE1085TN compression driver from Italian OEM pro sound manufacturer, B&C Speakers. The compression driver is coupled with B&C Speakers’ ME60 60 H × 40 V constant directivity cast-aluminum horn with a 0.8-kHz cutoff frequency. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2015.
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Test Bench: Morel TiCW 1058Ft 10” Ultimate Titanium Series Woofer
May 27, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Morel TiCW 1058Ft 10” Ultimate Titanium Series Woofer

This Test Bench features the TiCW 1058Ft, a 10” woofer/subwoofer from Morel’s Ultimate Titanium product line. The TiCW 1058Ft has an impressive feature set that includes a cast 12-spoke (six “double” spokes) cast-aluminum frame that is completely vented (except for the spokes) below the spider mounting shelf for cooling across the top plate. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2015.
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Test Bench B&C DE980TN-8 Compression Driver
May 24, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench B&C DE980TN-8 Compression Driver

B&C Speakers provided the DE980TN-8 — a high-performance titanium diaphragm neodymium compression driver — coupled with a ME90 horn for this Test Bench. The DE980TN is the latest version of B&C Speakers’s 75mm (3.0 in) voice coil, neodymium high frequency driver. The diaphragm in this model has been completely redesigned to incorporate a bent edge voice coil former, new dome and surround geometry and an optimized phase plug. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2013.
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Test Bench: Dayton Audio PM220-8 Wideband Neodymium 8” Woofer
May 18, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Dayton Audio PM220-8 Wideband Neodymium 8” Woofer

The transducer submitted to this Test Bench came from Dayton Audio and is the PM220-8, which is a wideband (full-range) neodymium 8” woofer. This driver is similar to the PS220 full-range 8” featured in Voice Coil October 2011. However, unlike the PS220 which is intended for use in a single-driver speaker, the PM220-8 is a wide bandwidth version intended for use as a midbass or midrange driver in a multi-way speaker system. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2013.
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Test Bench: Celestion AN3510 Line Source Driver
May 11, 2016 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Celestion AN3510 Line Source Driver

This Test Bench focuses on the Celestion AN3510, from its series of line source drivers. The AN3510 is a 3.5” diameter aluminum cone neodymium motor full-range transducer, built on a proprietary six-spoke molded-glass reinforced ABS frame. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2013.
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