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Passive Radiator
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:23 pm
by Latteman
If you are using a passive radiator in a speaker design would u consider it as having a character- an effect on the overall sound. Would a ‘vintage’ driver converted to run passive give a different sound to a ‘modern’ driver ?
I am accidentally running a driver in my speaker as a passive radiator and have modified accordingly.
I have some ‘69 Richard Allan drivers that I could consider which actively have character but would that be carried over passively
Cheers
Re: Passive Radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:07 am
by karatestu
Latteman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:23 pm
If you are using a passive radiator in a speaker design would u consider it as having a character- an effect on the overall sound. Would a ‘vintage’ driver converted to run passive give a different sound to a ‘modern’ driver ?
I am accidentally running a driver in my speaker as a passive radiator and have modified accordingly.
I have some ‘69 Richard Allan drivers that I could consider which actively have character but would that be carried over passively
Cheers
I don't know exactly Peter. I expect that it won't be as important as the passive is only producing a very limited range of bass depending on the resonant frequency of the driver and how you have tuned the box etc. To do it properly it's just like designing a ported speaker - the passive's output is usually used to fill in where the active driver s rolling off hence making the response go deeper.
Passives usually have very heavy cones to lower the Fs and enable them to go low. When I tried it I had alot of blutack stuck on each driver . They made a useful contribution down low but I doubt I had it set up optimally and it sounded slow compared to sealed box.
Re: Passive Radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 2:29 pm
by Latteman
karatestu wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:07 am
Passives usually have very heavy cones to lower the Fs and enable them to go low. When I tried it I had alot of blutack stuck on each driver . They made a useful contribution down low but I doubt I had it set up optimally and it sounded slow compared to sealed box.
I’ve made the cone heavier and ‘shorted’ the voice coil with a resistor from information doing an internet search.
It’s an interesting evolution of my speakers and has stayed unchanged for longer than anything else
Re: Passive Radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:33 pm
by karatestu
Latteman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 2:29 pm
karatestu wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:07 am
Passives usually have very heavy cones to lower the Fs and enable them to go low. When I tried it I had alot of blutack stuck on each driver . They made a useful contribution down low but I doubt I had it set up optimally and it sounded slow compared to sealed box.
I’ve made the cone heavier and ‘shorted’ the voice coil with a resistor from information doing an internet search.
It’s an interesting evolution of my speakers and has stayed unchanged for longer than anything else
You've been busy there Peter, PR's and diffusers. Hope you're having lots of fun trying these things out and enjoying the results.
Re: Passive Radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:36 pm
by Latteman
Most definitely
Re: Passive Radiator
Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 1:03 pm
by karatestu
Latteman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:36 pm
Most definitely
Do you find the bass a bit ponderous with passive radiator ? I did but you might be more lucky.
Re: Passive Radiator
Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 2:16 pm
by Latteman
Interesting question- I do serious listening(
) on records- both my turntables have diy elements- I was listening with a Wood bodied Grado and found myself thinking- slow almost pondering- not used this cart much, it’s sapphire cantilever and FL tip- changed to an Ortofon Vito Mc - much improved- no pondering- just tight n lively (oooer missus)
The Ortofon has the body removed so is naked
On the digital side the sound is again tight lively .
Overall fantastic- u must listen one day
Re: Passive Radiator
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2021 8:11 am
by karatestu
Dear Peter,
It is very pleasing to hear of somebody's diy bringing them so much enjoyment. I would be very interested to hear them and the rest of your system. Give it a little while so this covid wave can subside and I would be happy to accept an invitation.
Regards, Stu