High efficiency speakers
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=21744
Printed Date: September 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Topic: High efficiency speakers
Posted By: luxuryrules
Subject: High efficiency speakers
Date Posted: November 21, 2003 at 8:33 AM
Long time no post... I've got a question for you guys. The next system I build I'd like to try using high effiency speakers all around. I've checked out a bunch of brands,and they are all rated at 87 or 90. Does anybody know of companies or speakers that go over 90?
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Replies:
Posted By: Steven Kephart
Date Posted: November 21, 2003 at 10:37 AM
Are you talking about high frequency drivers, or subs? If the former, HLCD's. If the latter, Phoenix Gold Cyclone. But I will let you know one thing on the subs. Hoffmans Iron Law states that you can have two of the three, but never all three of the following; high output, small enclosure, or high efficiency. So if you want high output and high efficiency, expect the enclosure size required to be very large. This will also be true for mids if you decide to put them in sealed kick pannels. -------------
Posted By: luxuryrules
Date Posted: November 22, 2003 at 7:25 PM
I was talkin about drivers. At the moment, I've got Pioneer coaxes all around. I'm planning on adding a 4 channel amp and going to 6.5" components all around on my next revamp.
Thanks. ------------- I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death.
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: November 22, 2003 at 9:18 PM
High efficiency speakers = Oxymoron.
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Posted By: Steven Kephart
Date Posted: November 23, 2003 at 12:51 AM
How does a sensitivity of 106 dB sound? That is the sensitivity of HLCD's I mentioned earlier. Here's some links to a couple manufacturers: https://www.illusionaudio.com/illusion/Driversx.html https://www.imagedynamicsusa.com/website/products/horns.html -------------
Posted By: luxuryrules
Date Posted: November 23, 2003 at 10:17 AM
I had done a search earlier and found the imagedynamics site - the specs on their 6.5 components are listed as 90 dB.
But I've found a dealer for the illusion audio and I'm gonna check out those illusion audio ones next week. Thanks!
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I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 23, 2003 at 10:33 AM
Your first important step is getting rid of those Pioneer Coaxials. Almost anything you replace those with will sound better! As far as high-efficiency 6.5" component sets with 90db sensitivity and up, you'll have to spend some money, but the Boston Z series, Infinity Kappa Perfects, CDT Eurosports, Diamond Hex series, a/d/s 2-series, and more all have greater than 90 db sensitivity ratings. Go to a good high-end shop and look around and test listen a few sets.
Posted By: luxuryrules
Date Posted: November 24, 2003 at 8:40 AM
The Pioneer coaxes sounded great - for about a year. I'm revamping because now they rattle (guess they're blown, but I've only been pushing them with the HU at relatively low volumes).
I've visited some dealers and I've narrowed my favorites to the Kappa Perfects, the HLCDs, and Hexes. Now, my HU is pushing 22wpc RMS, and when I add an external amp I'll probably get one of the Alpine 40x4 amps. Of those speakers, which ones will resist blowing out on me the most? As you can see I'm not planning on pushing them hard, but I didn't push the Pioneers that hard either... ------------- I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 24, 2003 at 10:04 AM
Just make sure you are not driving your amp into clipping. A head unit with 22wpc can be easily driven into clipping and that can fry a voice coil, especially of a tweeter. If your speakers are "rattling," however, I would suspect a woofer cone or surround is gone. Pioneer = generally cheap construction, so I am not surprised and it probably had nothing to do with your amp. I don't know the HLCDs, but I really like the sound of both the Kappa and the Hex. Diamond has a much better high end with smoother sounding tweeter, and the Infinity has better low to mid bass. You can't go wrong with either, so get the ones that sound the best to your ears since you are the one who will have to live with them.
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