Hi-Fi Audio Drivers (Speakers and Tweeters)

These are some of the drivers that we have had the opportunity to try out over the years. The pages contain information about the drivers (transducers) including photographs, history and background information, driver specifications and links to DIY speaker enclosure designs. The Thiele/Small Parameters have been measured for many of the drivers using the Dayton Audio Test System (DATS). Questions and discussion about loudspeaker drivers and building is welcome in the DIY Loudspeaker and Subwoofer forum.

Noted costs last updated: 31 March 2018

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Cost: $144US
Diameter: 125 mm (5")
R_e: 7.3 ohms
F_s: 70 Hz
Q_ts: 0.45
SPL: 89 dB/W/m

Fostex FX120 Fullrange Speaker Driver
This is my favorite of the small (under 5") Fostex fullrange drivers. The FX120 driver has a fairly smooth and extended frequency response. Well constructed on a cast aluminum frame with a large magnet. The cone is KENAF paper and the dust cap is metallic. Excursion is small (2 mm) so SPL and low-end extension will be fairly limited. Works well in a wide variety of speaker enclosures. Very good overall performance, high price.

Cost: $118US
Diameter: 200 mm (8")
R_e: 6.8 ohms
F_s: 45 Hz
Q_ts: 0.19
SPL: 96 dB/W/m

Fostex FE206En Fullrange Speaker Driver
The 8" (200 mm) FE206En is the largest of the economical line of Fostex fullrange drivers. FE206En has a very large magnet and is constructed on a stamped frame. The thin speaker cone and whizzer paper is made from banana plant fiber. This is a high sensitivity driver and the frequency response is very good and detailed through the midrange but peaky and rough on the higher frequencies. Best at 20-30 degrees off-axis. A low excursion (X_max=0.8 mm) and a very strong motor make this driver a good choice for horn loading. There are also many speaker driver modifications and tweaks for the Fostex FE206En to try.

Cost: $114US
Diameter: 200 mm (8")
R_e: 7.2 ohms
F_s: 46.9 Hz
Q_ts: 0.28
SPL: 95.3 dB/W/m

Audio Nirvana Classic 8 Fullrange Speaker Driver
The Classic 8 is an 8" (200 mm) diameter paper cone fullrange speaker driver with high sensitivity. The driver features a thick cast aluminum frame and a huge ferrite magnet. The speaker dust cap is made from a coated fabric material. The Classic 8 fullrange speaker drivers deliver a very smooth and balanced response that makes the Classic 8 drivers well suited for long and even loud listening sessions without the onset of listener fatigue. Very good overall performance, excellent build quality and high value.

Cost: $89US
Diameter: 125 mm (5")
R_e: 7.2 ohms
F_s: 73 Hz
Q_ts: 0.34
SPL: 92.5 dB/W/m

Audio Nirvana Classic 5 Fullrange Speaker Driver
The Classic 5 is 5" (125 mm) paper cone fullrange speaker driver with good sensitivity. The driver features excellent construction on a cast aluminum frame with a huge magnet. The Classic 5 speaker drivers deliver a very smooth response throughout the bass and midrange regions. A balanced response makes the Classic 5 well suited for long and even loud listening sessions without the onset of any listener fatigue. Very good overall performance, excellent build quality, good value.

Cost: $85US
Diameter: 75 mm (3")
R_e: 6.5 ohms
F_s: 75 Hz
Q_ts: 0.28
SPL: 88 dB/W/m

Tang Band W3-1878 Fullrange Speaker Driver
One of my favorite small fullrange speaker drivers for 200Hz and up. Exceptional build quality and a fairly smooth and very extended frequency response. The W3-1878 is built on a thick cast frame and uses a bamboo fiber paper cone with a rubber surround. The small driver has a relativley large excursion (X_max of 4 mm). The W3-1878 uses a unique copper phase plug which improves high frequency dispersion. Very good overall performance, good value, great aesthetics.

Cost: $69US
Diameter: 94 mm (3.7")
R_e: 6.8 ohms
F_s: 122 Hz
Q_ts: 0.63
SPL: 88.5 dB/W/m

Audio Nirvana Classic 4+ Ferrite Fullrange Speaker Driver
Another one of my favorite small fullrange speaker drivers for 200Hz and up. Uses a unique paper cone with "camel bumps" to focus sound away from floor/ceiling and toward listener. Excellent construction on a cast aluminum frame with a large magnet. The frequency response is good with a balanced and focused presentation. Very listenable. Highish F_s makes driver best suited for use as part of a multi-way speaker system and satellite/rear speakers + sub. Good overall performance, excellent build, good value.

Cost: $58US
Diameter: 120 mm (4.7)
R_e: 7.2 ohms
F_s: 83 Hz
Q_ts: 0.3
SPL: 93 dB/W/m

Fostex FE126En Fullrange Speaker Driver
Good fullrange driver with good price to performance ratio. The frequency response is ok, but forward. Best listened to 20-30 degrees off-axis. Very large motor on stamped steel frame. Stamped frame can benefit from some simple speaker modifications and tweaks. Light paper cone and dust cap made from banana plant fiber. Tiny excursion (0.35 mm) so max SPL and bass will be limited. Best used in horn type enclosure or ported designed. Good sensitivity makes the FE126En a good choice for small low power systems.

Cost: $50US
Diameter: 100 mm (3.9")
R_e: 7.5 ohms
F_s: 83 Hz
Q_ts: 0.33
SPL: 89 dB/W/m

Fostex FE103En Fullrange Speaker Driver
Economical fullrange driver with good performance to price ratio. The frequency response is ok, but a little forward. Work well at 15-25 degrees off-axis. Large motor on stamped steel frame. Steel frame can benefit from some simple speaker modifications and tweaks. Light paper cone and dust cap made from banana plant fiber. Low excursion (0.6 mm) so max SPL and bass will be limited. As far as low cost "fullrange" drivers go, the Fostex FE103 series has had a cult like following for decades.

Cost: $44US
Diameter: 80 mm (3")
R_e: 7.2 ohms
F_s: 115 Hz
Q_ts: 0.55
SPL: 86.5 dB/W/m

Fostex FF85WK Fullrange Speaker Driver
Economical small fullrange speaker driver with a high performance to price ratio. The Fostex FF85WK drivers has a smooth and extended frequency response. Driver uses a "double-layer" paper cone, rigid aluminum dust-cap and a pocket neck damper. Chassis is stamped steel with 190 g ferrite magnet. Capable of an extended frequency response that can cover from about 130Hz to 20kHz. High F_s so driver is well suited for use as part of a multi-way speaker system and satellite/rear speakers + sub.

Open Baffle Woofers

Cost: $97US
Diameter: 457 mm (18")
R_e: 6 ohms
F_S: 30 Hz
Q_ts: 1.1
SPL: 94.3 dB/W/m

Goldwood GW-1858 Open Baffle Woofer
The Goldwood GW-1858 is an 18" (457 mm) diameter poly laminated paper cone woofer. The GW-1858 has good sensitivity and a high Q_ts suitable for use with open baffles. Using an open baffle the Goldwood GW-1858 woofer can produce excellent bass output down below 30 Hz. We have found the GW-1858 to be a very cost effective and solid performing open baffle woofer.

Cost: $59US
Diameter: 381 mm (15")
R_e: 8 ohms
F_S: 41 Hz
Q_ts: 1.26
SPL: 92.5 dB/W/m

Eminence Alpha-15A Open Baffle Woofer
The Eminence Alpha-15A is a 381 mm (15") diameter paper cone woofer. The Alpha-15A has good sensitivity and a high Q_ts so it is suited for use with open baffle speakers. With an open baffle the Eminence Alpha-15A woofer can produce excellent bass output down below 40 Hz. We have found the Alpha-15A to be a cost effective and solid performing open baffle woofer.

Horn Super Tweeters

Cost: $215US
R_e: 8 ohms
Freq: 5 - 35 kHz
SPL: 106 dB/W/m
Cross-over: > 7 kHz
Magnet: Alnico, 100 g

Fostex T90A Horn Super Tweeter
The T90A is a high quality external top-mount horn super tweeter. The super tweeter uses a large alnico magnet and the frequency response extends out to 35 kHz. The horn tweeter has a very high sensitivity rating of 106dB / 1W / 1m. The nominal impedance is 8 ohms and the tweeters are very easy to drive with a small amplifier. The Fostex T90A tweeters are Made in Japan.

Cost: $150US
R_e: 8 ohms
Freq: 4 - 33 kHz
SPL: 100 dB/W/m
Cross-over: > 8 kHz
Magnet: Alnico, 34 g

Fostex FT96H Horn Super Tweeter
The FT96H is a very good quality horn super tweeter. The horn super tweeter uses an Alnico magnet and the frequency response extends out to 33 kHz. The FT96H horn tweeters have a high sensitivity rating of 100dB / 1W / 1m. The nominal impedance is 8 ohms and the tweeters are very easy to drive with a small amplifier. The Fostex FT96H tweeters are Made in China.

Cost: $49US
R_e: 8 ohms
Freq: 5 - 50 kHz
SPL: 98.5 dB/W/m
Cross-over: > 5 kHz
Magnet: Shielded, 113 g

Fostex FT17H Horn Super Tweeter
The FT17H is a high performance versus cost horn super tweeter. The horn super tweeter uses a shielded magnet system and the frequency response extends out to 50 kHz. The FT17H horn tweeters have a high sensitivity rating of 98.5 dB / 1W / 1m. The nominal impedance is 8 ohms and the tweeters are very easy to drive with small amplifiers. The Fostex FT17H tweeters are Made in China.

Hi-Fi Audio Drivers (Speakers and Tweeters)