SLA center channel Driver choice.

For livingroom sound better than in a theatre.
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belzarrath
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Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2022 2:45 am

SLA center channel Driver choice.

#1 Post by belzarrath »

I am working on the 6 driver version of the SLA center.
I am wanting to replace the Gw4028 with HIVI M4N
also the GT-302 replace with the HIVI T20-8

Would there be any significant issue with this replacement?

Links to drivers.
https://www.parts-express.com/HiVi-M4N- ... quantity=1

https://www.parts-express.com/HiVi-T20- ... quantity=1

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#2 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

The midbass sensitivity is on the low side, but otherwise it looks OK. OTOH I don't see anything special about them.

belzarrath
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#3 Post by belzarrath »

Thank you.
Its stupid, but I like the look of them. I may go with the GW4028 instead of the M4N. But the T20 are easier to flush mount than the GT-302 and appear to have a flatter curve.

Keryn O'Shea
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Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#4 Post by Keryn O'Shea »

Have you considered back mounting your drivers for smoother looks? It's more work, but I feel it's worth it if that's what you're after.
AT8 14", AT10 19", T30 28" LAB12, T48 36" 3015LF, THT 20" LAB15, SLA 4x3"/4x4", CArray 6x4", TLAH, TLAP, J10 FLat, J12 Flat, OT12 Flat, OT15 CD, SLAP 2x6"/4x6", WH8, DR280 Mld'd, XF210. Next J10L

Keryn O'Shea
Posts: 444
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#5 Post by Keryn O'Shea »

Similar looking drivers to the ones you linked, click on the image and it will straighten up.
Attachments
20170630_083824_002.jpg
AT8 14", AT10 19", T30 28" LAB12, T48 36" 3015LF, THT 20" LAB15, SLA 4x3"/4x4", CArray 6x4", TLAH, TLAP, J10 FLat, J12 Flat, OT12 Flat, OT15 CD, SLAP 2x6"/4x6", WH8, DR280 Mld'd, XF210. Next J10L

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AntonZ
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#6 Post by AntonZ »

(a bit late to the party)

These look very much like Hivi B3S, Keryn. I have a load of them, intending to build SLA's just didn't get the round tuit just yet :wink:
I did build one freaking ugly SLA years ago, where I just threw together some scrap plywood and did not even bother with a more or less good fit. Just to see if they would work. It sounds very sweet. The drivers totally deserve a much prettier cab instead of my q&d Frankenstein contraption.

Another thing I tried with the little Hivi drivers was a curved center SLA. I think I applied way too much damping to that one as it sounded dull and muffled. It does look totally awesome. Still have it, I can post a pic if anyone wants to see what these would look like recessed in nice pine wood.

Keryn O'Shea
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Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#7 Post by Keryn O'Shea »

AntonZ wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 6:14 am These look very much like Hivi B3S
They do mate, almost identical!
AntonZ wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 6:14 am I can post a pic if anyone wants to see
Yes please, and also the frankencab as well..
AT8 14", AT10 19", T30 28" LAB12, T48 36" 3015LF, THT 20" LAB15, SLA 4x3"/4x4", CArray 6x4", TLAH, TLAP, J10 FLat, J12 Flat, OT12 Flat, OT15 CD, SLAP 2x6"/4x6", WH8, DR280 Mld'd, XF210. Next J10L

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AntonZ
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#8 Post by AntonZ »

I had a quick look on my computer and found some build progress pics of the SLA center. I thought I also had pics of the completed cab but cannot seem to find them. I will dig it out and take some. Same for the frankencab. Stay posted but don't hold your breath :wink:

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AntonZ
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#9 Post by AntonZ »

Here's the center cab. Hearing protection and a couple of Neutrik 1/4" jack plugs for size reference.
SLA center
SLA center

I did find some old pics from way back when I was building this.
Curved baffle construction
Curved baffle construction
Installing and wiring the drivers
Installing and wiring the drivers

This is the most beautiful cab I have made to date. Sound was a disappointment.

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AntonZ
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#10 Post by AntonZ »

And here is the FrankenSLA.
FrankenSLA
FrankenSLA

It is the ugliest I ever made. By far. It sounds absolutely fantastic.

Fastskiguy
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#11 Post by Fastskiguy »

that's kinda an SLA on steroids isn't it?

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AntonZ
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Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#12 Post by AntonZ »

Not sure if you mean driver count or size? It was experimental. Mind you, the drivers are small, only 3" each. The array length is just about the same as a regular 6 units SLA with 4" drivers. The cab would be just about the same size as any 6 driver SLA, built with 4" drivers. Also, I had a whole bunch of these stupid cheap piezo tweeters at hand.

The thoughts were:
  • 3" drivers go higher than 4" so you need less from your tweeters
  • these are full range drivers, so would it work without any tweeters at all?
  • piezo's can be used without filter, these are tiny piezo's so very high freq only, and the 3" roll off higher than 4": would it work without any filtering?
  • if so, how many tweeters?
So I had the 3" drivers wired separatedly from the piezo's. And the tweeters are wired in two half arrays, or one array of 2/3 length the other 1/3 length, don't remember exactly. So I could try main drivers full range only, half tweeter array, full tweeter array. Turns out it worked fine indeed. It sounds nice, crisp and totally smooth with the full length mini pizzer array.

This thread makes me contemplate going back in again, dig out those pretty 3" drivers and pizzers and build two proper SLA's.

Keryn O'Shea
Posts: 444
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:50 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#13 Post by Keryn O'Shea »

AntonZ wrote: Wed Feb 08, 2023 11:08 am Here's the center cab
Mate.. Superb! The effect quarter rounding has on showing the grain that way is cool, and thanks for sharing your baffle stick clamp idea. What let you down with the SQ?
AntonZ wrote: Wed Feb 08, 2023 11:10 am And here is the FrankenSLA. It is the ugliest I ever made. By far. It sounds absolutely fantastic
:clap: Wicked :D

Could it be possible to start a frankencab thread without ruffling feathers?
AntonZ wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:54 am This thread makes me contemplate going back in again, dig out those pretty 3" drivers and pizzers and build two proper SLA's.
Go for it man, you know you want to
AT8 14", AT10 19", T30 28" LAB12, T48 36" 3015LF, THT 20" LAB15, SLA 4x3"/4x4", CArray 6x4", TLAH, TLAP, J10 FLat, J12 Flat, OT12 Flat, OT15 CD, SLAP 2x6"/4x6", WH8, DR280 Mld'd, XF210. Next J10L

Fastskiguy
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:11 pm

Re: SLA center channel Driver choice.

#14 Post by Fastskiguy »

AntonZ wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:54 am
The thoughts were:
  • 3" drivers go higher than 4" so you need less from your tweeters
  • these are full range drivers, so would it work without any tweeters at all?
  • piezo's can be used without filter, these are tiny piezo's so very high freq only, and the 3" roll off higher than 4": would it work without any filtering?
  • if so, how many tweeters?
So I had the 3" drivers wired separatedly from the piezo's. And the tweeters are wired in two half arrays, or one array of 2/3 length the other 1/3 length, don't remember exactly. So I could try main drivers full range only, half tweeter array, full tweeter array. Turns out it worked fine indeed. It sounds nice, crisp and totally smooth with the full length mini pizzer array.

This thread makes me contemplate going back in again, dig out those pretty 3" drivers and pizzers and build two proper SLA's.
A great case of one thing leading to another thanks for the explanation. :)

Joe

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