Test Bench: SEAS Excel Graphene W18EX003 6.5” Midbass Driver

On this edition of Test Bench, Vance Dickason continues to measure one of the most anticipated driver designs launched in the market in 2019, from SEAS's new Excel Graphene line. Following the previous Test Bench on the W16NX003 5.25” midbass woofer, this one focuses on the W18EX003 6.5” midbass driver. This article was published in Voice Coil, August 2019.

This Test Bench focuses on the 14NA100-8, a new high power handling 14” pro sound woofer from B&C Speakers. This is the highest power handling in the brand's 14” group with a continuous power handling rating of 1.6 kW (800 W nominal). Applications range from two- and three-way PA speakers and compact two-way monitor designs for high SPL in limited spaces. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, April 2019.

Following the introduction of its completely new Excel Graphene Woofer Series with the W16NX003 (E0073-08), followed recently by the 19-series W19NX001 (E0076-08), SEAS Fabrikker announced the third product in the line, the W18EX003 (E0074-08). According to SEAS, the new line is designed for truthful high-res audio reproduction with outstanding clarity and dynamic capability in mind, and the new W18EX003 represents a successor to the famous W18EX001 (E0017-08) model. All Excel Graphene drivers feature a graphene-coated magnesium cone.

A new Danish audio company, founded by Bruno Putzeys, Lars Risbo, and Peter Lyngdorf was recently announced. The name is Purifi Audio, and as you can guess from the founders involved, the venture promises Class D amplifiers with record-breaking performance "unmatched by amplifiers of any operating class." But the new company will be doing more than amplifiers, since it also revealed a new 6.5" woofer with "magnitudes lower intermodulation distortion across frequency and SPL."

A new Danish company, founded by Bruno Putzeys, Lars Risbo, and Peter Lyngdorf will be making its first public presentation to the industry in Munich 9-12 May, concurrently with High End 2019. The name is Purifi Audio, and as you can guess from the founders involved, the venture promises Class D amplifiers with record-breaking performance "unmatched by amplifiers of any operating class." But the new company will be doing more than amplifiers, since it will also reveal a new 6.5" woofer with "magnitudes lower intermodulation distortion across frequency and SPL."

SEAS announced the launch of its new Titan product line in the Prestige Series, implementing FEA-optimized magnet systems with copper caps and rings, and titanium voice coil formers, in combination with matte black aluminum cones and domes, among many other improved features. SEAS' Prestige series offers a large array of sizes and diaphragm materials to perfectly fit the exacting requirements of both the OEM and distribution markets. The new Prestige Titan series is a long-awaited refreshment of this product line.

In this Test Bench I characterized the 12BG76-8, a high power handling 12” NBR pro sound woofer from B&C Speakers. This month’s sample submission is in the upper range of power handling in this extensive group with a continuous power handling rating of 1000 W (500 W nominal). Applications range from two and three-way PA speakers and compact two-way designs for high SPL in limited spaces. Features for the 12BG76-8 are similar to most high-performance pro sound drivers, fairly substantial. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2018.

This month, I characterized a a 10” PA woofer from Wavecor, model WF259PA01. This is an interesting driver since, until now, Wavecor has been known mainly for its high-end home hi-fi drivers. However, the company has decided to expand its coverage in the loudspeaker market and has introduced a well-designed 10” OEM pro sound PA woofer. The WF259PA01 is for now available only as an 8 Ω model, and uses a very stiff flat black coated curvilinear paper cone. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2018.

The driver for this month’s Test Bench explication comes from the UK. Volt sent the 12” RV3143 Studio Monitor woofer, which is probably the most uniquely designed woofer to come across my desk in a while — there is no frame on the back side of the driver! The Volt Radial Technology consists of a front-mounted eight-spoke proprietary cast aluminum frame that is mechanically coupled to both the back plate and to the top of the pole structure/phase plug, in contrast to a normal rear frame that is only coupled to the motor front plate. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, December 2017.

FaitalPRO, the renowned Italian manufacturer of professional loudspeakers, officially celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2018. Continuing the brand’s tradition of quality and innovation, FaitalPRO introduced three new products at Prolight+Sound 2018, starting with two 6" drivers for midrange and low-mid frequencies, the 6RS140 and 6PR160 respectively, together with the 18XL2000 18" Super Woofer, designed for the lowest frequencies.