Test Bench: The Alpha-5-8 5" Midbass Driver from Eminence

For this test bench article, I characterized the New Eminence Alpha-5-8 5” line array/column array midbass driver. This a new 5” midwoofer from the American Standard Series, a 24-model transducer line of epoxy-acrylic finished stamped frame woofers and midranges. Applications for the Alpha 5-8 include use as a midrange in a multi-way speaker, as multiples in a line array, or as a compact column PA speaker. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, August 2018.

PRV Audio announced two new mid frequency drivers optimized for very powerful pro audio applications. The 10MB800FT is a rugged 10" mid bass woofer that combines a remarkable SPL output with low distortion and extended bass response, optimized for compact enclosures and larger 2 or 3 way systems. The 8MR600X focuses on high output mid range performance, with a sensitivity of 98 dB, using a 2" voice coil to ensure high heat dissipation and the necessary motor strength to deliver high sensitivity even on high power with the minimum distortion.

Following the first test on the new Scan-Speak Ellipticor series, with the D3404/552000 tweeter, this edition of Test Bench focuses on the Scan-Speak Ellipticor 18WE/4542T00 midbass woofer. Like the D3404, the 18WE/4542T00 is a seriously feature rich transducer, which has a magnetically attached aluminum trim ring that can obviously be anodized a variety of colors besides black. For the cone assembly, Scan-Speak chose a rather stiff curvilinear profile back coated paper cone with an elliptical 45 mm × 35 mm convex paper dustcap. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, April 2018.

This edition of Voice Coil Test Bench characterizes the 6.5” 6MBX44 driver, from Italian pro sound OEM, B&C Speakers. The new MBX series of pro sound mid-bass woofers is especially well suited for small two-way loudspeaker applications. Features for the 6MBX44 include a proprietary four twin spoke cast-aluminum frame, enhanced voice coil cooling, curvilinear waterproof paper cone and inverted paper dust cap, and a neodymium ring magnet. This article was published originally in Voice Coil, January 2017.

This month’s Test Bench is part of B&C Speakers' MBX series of mid-bass woofers, the 8MBX51. The MBX series offer acoustic designers a new range of high efficiency, wide bandwidth alternatives that were not previously available from B&C Speakers, and are especially well suited for two-way loudspeaker applications. Features for the 8MBX51 are fairly impressive. Cosmetically speaking, this is also a good looking driver. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, November 2016.

This edition of Test Bench characterizes Dayton Audio’s new 6” diameter ultra-low-profile midwoofer, the LW150-4. This is a new ultrathin profile cone 6” diameter midbass driver featuring a six-spoke cast-aluminum frame with a 1.5” total depth. The depth reduction is significant as the motor assembly is housed inside the frame and uses a neodymium slug and a 1.5” diameter return cup that incorporates a T-pole. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, March 2016.

In this Test Bench, Voice Coil characterizes Dayton Audio’s new 4.5” diameter carbon fiber cone midwoofer, the CF120-4. This new midbass driver from Dayton Audio features a pin-cushion style four-spoke cast-aluminum frame. For the cone assembly, Dayton Audio chose a rather stiff curved profile woven carbon fiber cone with a 1.13” diameter convex woven carbon fiber dust cap. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2016.

This month, the Test Bench samples came from a relatively new high-end home audio company. From high-end home audio OEM manufacturer Motus Audio, I received the UH130PW1, a 5.25” mid-bass driver, an impressive looking mid-bass transducer, with a similar feature set as several other European high-end mid-bass woofer brands. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, January 2016.

In this edition of Test Bench - already from Voice Coil’s archives, originally published in September 2010 - Vance Dickason measures the WF120BD04 midbass woofer from Wavecor, part of a complete range of 4¾” transducers, including the WF120BD03 (4 ohm version), which he found to be well-crafted drivers. Both were designed as high performance bass and midrange units for very compact monitors and high-end hi-fi speakers and feature a Balanced Drive motor proprietary structure.

Eminence sent a 6.5″ driver from their lightweight Professional Neodymium Series, the Alphalite 6A, which, along with the Kappalite and Deltalite series, makes up the neo woofer/midrange offering from Eminence. The Alphalite 6A is described as a lightweight pro audio mid/bass driver, designed for sealed, vented, or infinite baffle applications. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, June 2010.