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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

Dayton Audio OmniMic 40k and Digital Audio Test System Loudspeaker Analyzer (DATS LA) Measurement Tools

August 27, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Dayton Audio OmniMic 40k and Digital Audio Test System Loudspeaker Analyzer (DATS LA) Measurement Tools

This article offers an overview of Dayton Audio's new OmniMic 40k and the Digital Audio Test System Loudspeaker Analyzer (DATS LA). The OmniMic 40k is a substantial upgrade from the original Dayton OmniMic V2 measurement system, while the new DATS LA is an entirely new loudspeaker measurement analyzer and software, using a patented DC offset bias technique to derive both small and large signal parameters, including both linear and nonlinear output capability.

Outboard DSP: miniDSP Flex HTx Audio Processor

August 6, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Outboard DSP: miniDSP Flex HTx Audio Processor

Expanding on Voice Coil's series of explorations in the world of outboard DSP, this article reviews the Flex HTx, one of the most interesting rack units from Hong Kong-based miniDSP. The 8 in 8 out miniDSP SHARC chip-based HTx processor is primarily intended to support home theater applications and has both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs. It is a more cost-effective model than the previously featured DSP processors mentioned in this series, with a retail price of $570 for the TRS balanced IO model.

Test Bench: Wavecor TW030TU03 30mm Graphene-Coated Soft Dome Tweeter

July 23, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Wavecor TW030TU03 30mm Graphene-Coated Soft Dome Tweeter

This latest Wavecor soft dome tweeter is specifically intended for car audio applications. Like other models, the new 4Ω TW030TU03 includes a 30mm wide surround with a precision-coated graphene-reinforced cloth diaphragm optimized for high-frequency cutoff above 20kHz. The design also features internal chambers below the dome and surround edge, dual neodymium magnets vented into a damped rear chamber, copper-clad aluminum voice coil winding with a vented voice coil former, and flexible lead wires.

Test Bench: The D2908/716000 TPCD Metamodal 1” Dome Tweeter from Scan-Speak's Revelator Line

July 16, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: The D2908/716000 TPCD Metamodal 1” Dome Tweeter from Scan-Speak's Revelator Line

Scan-Speak has been working with Composite Sound to develop a generation of metamodal thin-ply carbon diaphragms (TPCDs), engineered to fully replace the almost impossible-to-source and extremely expensive beryllium domes. The Scan-Speak D2908/716000 1” Revelator TPCD tweeter, which replaced the Revelator D2908/714000, now includes a new 1" TPCD metamodal diaphragm, combined with the patented Scan-Speak Symmetrical Drive SD-2 neodymium motor structure.

Test Bench: The New Beyma CD-314Nd/TI Compression Driver and Horn

July 9, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: The New Beyma CD-314Nd/TI Compression Driver and Horn

Acustica Beyma continues to expand its range of products from solid foundations in professional audio, now also to emerging installation and even high-fidelity applications, while implementing a solid environmental stance. This 1.4" throat, high-power-handling compression driver, characterized with the new Beyma 60° × 40° TD-1464P horn, is targeted for mid- to large-venue PA systems and is one example of those efforts.

Test Bench: GAIT BGD-D72-64-4-0A1 Glass Diaphragm 1" Dome Tweeter

July 2, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: GAIT BGD-D72-64-4-0A1 Glass Diaphragm 1" Dome Tweeter

Glass Acoustic Innovations Technologies (GAIT) is a company from Taiwan and a renowned specialist in Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) diaphragm technology, quickly gaining recognition in hifi and high-end audio circles. This 1" dome super tweeter uses a unique glass diaphragm formed using a chemical strengthening process, and includes a 1” voice coil and neodymium magnet motor, assembled with an injection-molded plastic faceplate, a phase plug, and a damped rear chamber.

Test Bench: Dayton Audio’s Ultimax II 8-22 8” Subwoofer

June 24, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Dayton Audio’s Ultimax II 8-22 8” Subwoofer

This powerful Dayton Audio Ultimax II 8-22 8" subwoofer from the company's recently upgraded series maintains many common features with the original Ultimax drivers. After having examined the Ultimax II 10" version in January 2025, this Test Bench looks at the new 8" version where the very stiff and thick carbon fiber cone stands out with the NBR surround, assisted by the two flat 6" diameter cloth spiders.

Test Bench: Faital Pro’s 5PR120 - 5” Pro Midrange Driver

June 17, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Faital Pro’s 5PR120 - 5” Pro Midrange Driver

The Faital Pro 5PR120 is a high sensitivity and high-power handling 5” midrange driver, built on a proprietary six-spoke cast-aluminum frame, with four vents below the spider mounting shelf, and additional cooling provided by a pole vent. It features a curvilinear inverted single piece “bowl” shaped paper cone and black anodized aluminum dust cap. The motor is a FEA-optimized neodymium ring, and driving the cone is a 32mm voice coil wound with round copper wire on a non-conducting Kapton former.

Outboard DSP: miniDSP Flex

May 21, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Outboard DSP: miniDSP Flex

The fourth in a series of product reviews of outboard DSP hardware, this article explores the miniDSP Flex digital signal processing (DSP) unit. The Flex is a two channels in/four channels out, Sharc-based audio processor that offers a more cost-effective model than the previously featured miniDSP processors in the series, with a retail price of $570 for the TRS balanced IO model. Besides the competitive price, the review confirms how the miniDSP Flex manages to measure and impress.

Test Bench: Dayton Audio’s UMII10-22 Ultimax II 10” Subwoofer

May 14, 2025 by Vance Dickason

Test Bench: Dayton Audio’s UMII10-22 Ultimax II 10” Subwoofer

This Test Bench characterizes the Dayton Audio UMII10-22 Ultimax II 10" Subwoofer, a recent example of the upgraded, high-performance designs that succeeded the brand’s original Ultimax subwoofer line. Available for now in four diameters (18", 12", 10", and 8"), the common feature set for the new line includes a large aluminum shorting ring and aluminum pole sleeve for lower magnetic distortion, a lightweight and rigid woven carbon fiber cone assembly, high Xmax, with a frame and motor designed with extensive thermal venting, all optimized for compact sealed enclosures.

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