I've been planning to improve my RCF lousdpeakers (which are being discussed also
here,) by adding a tweeter to improve the high range which is somewhat lacking as the current mid/highs have a sensible roll off at the end of the range.
I would like to use a compression driver mated to JBL2404 horns due to the off-axis response of these wonderful horns, of which own a pair, unfortunately without drivers.
I do not want to compromise on off axis response because in my opinion/experience this is a primary requisite to obtain a wide and precise soundstage, which is among my primary requisites. My speakers are not lacking in this regard and I don't want to compromise the high end by choosing any other horn than the 2024.
So I am looking for a compression driver, to be mated to the 2404's exceding 102db spl 1w/1m to match or exceed the current mid/high SPL.
The idea is to cut the current mids at about 5K and let the 2404's manage the rest of the high range.
I am not asking for perfect linearity up to 20k, I would be happy with anything which is (more or less) linear up to 13-14k.
Not being a hardcore audiophile the use of equalizers for mild room correction and/or to compensate for a few db in lack of llinearity of the drivers/speakers is fine for me.
I am planning to use
RCF CD1411-M compression drivers, they have somewhat similar dimensional characteristics to the original drivers, except (unfortunately) the frequency response. Also the Mylar diaphragm of these drivers make them better candidate for "Hi-Fi" use than other using stiffer materials.
I have always been an RCF components enthusiast, and furthermore I can get them pretty cheap (about half the average retail price) as I am friends with the area wholesaler. Still the frequency response of these drivers seems to leave some to be desired (at least for my intended use).
I wonder if the amazing linearity of the 2404H was due to drivers response alone, or if the horn design contributed significantly to the final result, because of course this would make the RCF drivers more interesting.
Also, it would be equally interesting to know if the response of the RCF driver can somehow be tweaked (through the crossover ?) in order to make them more linear in the 5-14k range or in order to achieve an overall better linearity of the speakers.
In this regard it should be considered that:
- the current mid-highs are rated 102db w/m @ 800/900Hz, have a similar "slope" to the 1411 (posted below) and, according to the factory crossover design, require an adjustable attenuator to match the 96db w/m of the woofers
-the 1411m drivers are rated at 108db w/m @ 1200Hz, and are about 102db@ 5k, according to the factory datasheet attached below.
As a last resort I may evaluate an alternative compression driver as long as it is easily available in EU and don't break the bank (like importing two of the original JBL drivers...)
Here's the response of the 1411 vs the 2404 original drivers (coupled to the small buttcheek horns).
It shoulf be noticed how the high end slope of the 1411 matches the increasing impedance, hopefully the horn could help in this regard ?
RCF CD1411-M (driver alone, without horns)
JBL 2404H (driver + horn)