Why is Xmax so expensive?

[DJ Higgumz]

I don't understand why it costs so much for a high output woofer. Isn't it just a bit more surround and spider? can someone explain?

[Michael Ewald Hansen]

Imagine a car. If you wanted it to go way faster you can upgrade the engine and put on bigger wheels, but for the car to be safe and work properly you'd have to improve brakes, dimension fuel supply, make it more aerodynamic, strengthen the gearbox etc etc etc.. It's not just a matter of making something bigger, as other parts will then suffer..

[Harley]

Well...I was going to say that the term 'XMax' itself is self explanatory when one ponders why the more, that it's far more expensive

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I don't understand why it costs so much for a high output woofer. Isn't it just a bit more surround and spider? can someone explain?

It's everything, from the frame and magnet structure to the voice coil.

[DJ Higgumz]

kind of what i thought no loopholes here

[bmf]

Although xmax is the mechanical limit for volume, just increasing that alone would not work. A lot of cheap speakers have a high xmax but do not have a strong enough motor to use the range effectively. This is why you will hear some speakers that sound muddy or sluggish. It is also why some people prefer to work with smaller diameter drivers. 4 small drivers with weaker motors can move just as much air as one large driver with a strong motor and not take up any more cabinet space. In some cases 4 small cheap drivers are more efficient and more durable than one large one because each driver is working less to produce the same overall displacement. And you keep the fast accurate sound that is only achieved with the expensive larger drivers that are using stronger motors. Drifting a little off topic here but the principle point being that a huge xmax figure means nothing if the motor can't drive it, the frame can't hold it without flexing, and the cone isn't strong enough to not rip which all costs more money to produce. Oversimplified explanation but "get what you pay for".

[DJ Higgumz]

interesting thanks