Test Bench: Wavecor SW223BD03 8.75-Inch High XMAX Subwoofer

For this Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes Wavecor’s new 8.75” high XMAX subwoofer, model SW223BD03. As Dickason reminds us, this new subwoofer is part of the brand's rather extensive line of subwoofers — ranging in size from 2.75” to 12”. Voice Coil featured the 4 Ω version of this device, the SW223BD02, in the April 2015 issue. Wavecor’s SW223BD03, which is the 8 Ω version. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2016.

The compression driver/horn that I received for testing in this edition of Test Bench was the redesigned B&C Speakers DE990TN-8, a 1.4” neodymium motor compression driver with a titanium diaphragm coupled with the ME90 horn. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2016.

This edition focuses on Adhesive Joints and Cone Treatments and includes a special report on the latest new material options available and an updated directory of Adhesives, Coatings, and Sealant Providers. In our Spotlight article, Dan Knighten discusses the “Practical Measurement of Bluetooth and Lightning Headphones,” and in Test Bench, Vance Dickason discusses the new B&C Speakers DE990TN compression driver and Wavecor’s new SW168WA01 6.5” woofer. That and much more now available.

The driver I received for testing in this edition of Test Bench came from Tymphany, and is a patent-pending thin profile 5.25” aluminum cone mid-woofer from the company’s GBS line of thin profile woofers and midranges. Features for the GBS-135F25AL02-04 include a four-spoke stamped steel frame with a mere 27.4 mm (1.08”) total depth. The depth is significant as the motor assembly is obviously housed inside the frame. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2016.

The transducer I examined in this edition of Test Bench came from Italian Pro Sound OEM manufacturer B&C Speakers, who sent the neodymium motor 21DS115, a 21” high power handling woofer. The B&C 21DS115-8 is rated at 1,700 WRMS with a continuous power handling rated at 3,400 WRMS. The 21DS115-8 weighs in at a modest (for an 21” woofer!) 32.8 lb. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, August 2016.

The transducer I examined this month came from Italian Pro Sound OEM manufacturer B&C Speakers, who sent the DE1090TN, a 1.4” neodymium motor compression driver with a titanium diaphragm. The DE1090TN compression driver is coupled with B&C Speakers’ ME90 80° × 60° constant directivity horn. At this time, the DE1090TN, with a 36 mm (1.4”) throat diameter, is the highest power handling model (120 W) in the brand's line. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, August 2016.

The driver in this Test Bench is not so much an OEM product as an installer product, but it is a very interesting transducer: the Revolution Acoustics SSP6 actuator, which transforms nearly any panel structure into an audio speaker. As promised, I am doing a brief review of the this driver, primarily marketed to Custom Electronic Design & Installation (CEDIA)-type installers. However, that said, it is definitely an interesting transducer.

The 8” 8NSM64 is a rather unique new pro sound midrange driver from B&C Speakers. It’s a closed-back midrange! Closed-back midranges are often associated with cheap speakers because by using a frame with no relief holes in the back, you don’t have to build a midrange chamber. In this case, the 8NSM64 is a very high-power handling (500 W continuous) 8” midrange for professional PA applications, with a reasonable volume that can be damped with absorption material. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2016.

Concise, timely and accurate, Voice Coil is your one-stop source to stay competitive in the loudspeaker industry! Every month, Voice Coil delivers loudspeaker professionals with the latest in technology and components. Vance Dickason and other industry experts provide a comprehensive collection of reviews on the loudspeaker products you use every day. Voice Coil, the periodical for the loudspeaker industry is free for those who qualify!

The new Tang Band Speaker 25-2176S 1” dome tweeter features a 25 mm wide surround coated fabric diaphragm optimized for high-frequency cutoff above 20 kHz, a unique aluminum assembly that is both self-shielding and acts as a heatsink, a unique aluminum mounting ring for screw down mounting up to 0.5” mounting depth, ferrofluid voice coil cooling and resonance damping, plus gold-plated terminals. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2016.