New Subwoofer Design, Perfect for the Fit!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 119
From: WV
New Subwoofer Design, Perfect for the Fit!
Company Name : Stereo Integrity
Company Location: North Carolina
Company Website; Stereo Integrity
Not sure if you guys know me or not, but I've done a number of reviews for company's over at CA.com and SSA. Here is my most recent review me and JimJ, resident SQ guru for my area, did of the newest SI mag proto.
Sorry no pics, this is a ugly proto, finished product will have some cosmetic changes, when the updated proto arrives to the guys @ Si pictures will be posted, until then you will have to wait in suspense
Me and Jim spent a few hours listening to the Mag in his vehicle with a number of difference sources, and in different boxes. If you have questions for Jim you will probably have to post them on the original thread on SSA
Link Here: My impressions of the next-gen SI Mag 12 - SSA Forums:
My review will follow the same format as Jim's for consistency sake.
A big thanks for Nick for allowing a basshead like myself the opportunity to play with a driver so far from my normal exposure to the large SPL drivers that take a ton of power. The mag is certainly a unique driver.
Jim and I auditioned this driver in his '94 E-150, under the exact same test conditions used for other listening sessions we've done. Power was provided by a PG Tantrum T1200.1, set to 800W @ 4 ohms. In use, the woofer needed nowhere near that level of power to reach its full potential, IMO. Enclosure used was 1 cubic foot, sealed. The woofer was lowpassed @ 63Hz, 24dB/oct.
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
When I first recieved this prototype I am used to seeing very "unique" ways of shipping. Items ranging from pool noodles and foam to packing peanuts are common to find. However with this proto the shipping was double boxed and I would guess to be very close to the packaging that will be used for production models. The build quality was excellent and to be honest I was a bit concerned to begin with when I realized how unique this driver would be. I was very surprised to see very clean glue joints and neatly soldered terminals.
WHAT'S TO LIKE:
I won't go into as much detail as Jim did for the sealed review, but honestly this driver was designed to be used in a sealed box and will only be recommend to be used in a sealed box. Ported drastically reduces the power handling due to the soft suspension used. After all this driver was designed to be a low cost, small mounting depth, small box driver. Nick aimed for a 1 cf sealed box for this driver and hit it dead on. I would think a smaller box would do ok and a slightly larger box wouldn't be horrible, but 1cf is where its at. Sealed this driver excelled and took all the amp wanted. I even found a Young Jeezy CD in Jim's cd case to throw at the mag and it sounded good, for the source used. It played as loud as the ported 12" driver Jim daily drives with.
WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE:
Well in case you haven't figured it out from the previous statements in this review, ported is not the enclosure for this driver. Now I know this will concern some of you, but you have to realize the way this driver was designed, you don't need the larger ported box to compensate for lack of output as it has plenty sealed. By using the recommended 1cf sealed box and 600-800 watts of power you will have one of the most impressive sounding subwoofer setups around, and still have respectable output. Now if you are only concerned with loudness this driver obviously isnt for you, but if you are looking for a nice sounding driver, especially if you have limited space, this is the driver for you.
One other issue that I haven't had a chance to discuss with Nick and is a very very minor issue is the terminals. The basket is painted and I suspect that it is insulated so this probably isn't an issue, but I will state it now. The wire going through the terminals, because of the slim basket design, comes close to the basket if your not careful installing it. As I said this is a minor issue and if installed properly you wont have to worry about it, but it may be something to be addressed now that saves a few headaches for installers.
OVERALL:
When I first installed this driver and began listening to it with Jim I was very impressed with it. Something that comes to mind is Jim saying, " I am going to have a hard time recommending Vanadiums when the mag sounds this good, especially at is price point." I believe that sums up my opinion of the mag in one sentence.
Low price, Small box, low power requirements, all with the quality of Si products, I'd say a match made in heaven.
Company Location: North Carolina
Company Website; Stereo Integrity
Not sure if you guys know me or not, but I've done a number of reviews for company's over at CA.com and SSA. Here is my most recent review me and JimJ, resident SQ guru for my area, did of the newest SI mag proto.
Sorry no pics, this is a ugly proto, finished product will have some cosmetic changes, when the updated proto arrives to the guys @ Si pictures will be posted, until then you will have to wait in suspense
Me and Jim spent a few hours listening to the Mag in his vehicle with a number of difference sources, and in different boxes. If you have questions for Jim you will probably have to post them on the original thread on SSA
Link Here: My impressions of the next-gen SI Mag 12 - SSA Forums:
First of all, I'd like to thank Nick Lemons for giving me an opportunity to audition this latest version of the Mag 12"... :thanx:
Chad Hicks and I auditioned this driver in my '94 E-150, under the exact same test conditions used for other listening sessions we've done. Power was provided by a PG Tantrum T1200.1, set to 800W @ 4 ohms. In use, the woofer needed nowhere near that level of power to reach its full potential, IMO. Enclosure used was 1 cubic foot, sealed. The woofer was lowpassed @ 63Hz, 24dB/oct.
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
The build quality is very good, something that doesn't surprise me given my previous experiences with SI products. The pressed paper cone and poly dustcap construction is simple and unassuming, and the push terminals are easy to use and hold the speaker wire well. One thing that struck me about this new Mag is the mounting depth; at 5 and a half inches deep it opens itself up for some new installation options that might have not been possible with the traditional 12-spoke basket and motor of the previous generation. It seems like it's begging for installation in a shallow spare tire well
WHAT'S TO LIKE:
I used my traditional playlist of tracks to put the woofer through its paces - Eva Cassidy, the Eagles, Dave Matthews, Fleetwood Mac, Chris Izaak, John Williams. In particular, "The Chain" on Fleetwood's Rumours brought a big smile to my face The transient response, the individual attack of the notes, the blending to the front stage...it all was effortless. Same with Eva Cassidy's "Wade in the Water" and "Wayfaring Stranger". Both are tracks that have made some pretty high-profile subwoofers choke in my opinion, but this Mag handled it with aplomb..."Wade in the Water" has some really neat stuff halfway through it with a stand-up bass playing a 7 note walking line while a muted trumpet does its thing...like any good subwoofer, the Mag reproduced what was on the recording without drawing attention to itself. In retrospect I really wish I had some Mingus with me, I bet Mingus Ah Um would be amazing...
It's not scared of the orchestra, either. Kettle drums on Williams' score for "Revenge of the Sith" were extremely accurate and extended very deep. I still prefer the Aura MR12.4 slightly for large orchestral arrangements, but now the price differential isn't even fair to compare the two.
WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE:
The cosmetics of the basket aren't really what I like, 12-spokes look better when inverted IMO, but since it allows the shallower clearance I'd rather have that functionality anyway over looks. That's about all I can find not to like, so that should say something in itself.
OVERALL:
If you're looking for a small, sealed-box woofer and realism is your number-one priority, I don't see how you could leave this driver off your list. Power-wise, it really doesn't need a lot of power to shine - I would say 500-600W is all you need to get it to perform admirably.
Two thumbs way up.
Chad Hicks and I auditioned this driver in my '94 E-150, under the exact same test conditions used for other listening sessions we've done. Power was provided by a PG Tantrum T1200.1, set to 800W @ 4 ohms. In use, the woofer needed nowhere near that level of power to reach its full potential, IMO. Enclosure used was 1 cubic foot, sealed. The woofer was lowpassed @ 63Hz, 24dB/oct.
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
The build quality is very good, something that doesn't surprise me given my previous experiences with SI products. The pressed paper cone and poly dustcap construction is simple and unassuming, and the push terminals are easy to use and hold the speaker wire well. One thing that struck me about this new Mag is the mounting depth; at 5 and a half inches deep it opens itself up for some new installation options that might have not been possible with the traditional 12-spoke basket and motor of the previous generation. It seems like it's begging for installation in a shallow spare tire well
WHAT'S TO LIKE:
I used my traditional playlist of tracks to put the woofer through its paces - Eva Cassidy, the Eagles, Dave Matthews, Fleetwood Mac, Chris Izaak, John Williams. In particular, "The Chain" on Fleetwood's Rumours brought a big smile to my face
The transient response, the individual attack of the notes, the blending to the front stage...it all was effortless. Same with Eva Cassidy's "Wade in the Water" and "Wayfaring Stranger". Both are tracks that have made some pretty high-profile subwoofers choke in my opinion, but this Mag handled it with aplomb..."Wade in the Water" has some really neat stuff halfway through it with a stand-up bass playing a 7 note walking line while a muted trumpet does its thing...like any good subwoofer, the Mag reproduced what was on the recording without drawing attention to itself. In retrospect I really wish I had some Mingus with me, I bet Mingus Ah Um would be amazing... It's not scared of the orchestra, either. Kettle drums on Williams' score for "Revenge of the Sith" were extremely accurate and extended very deep. I still prefer the Aura MR12.4 slightly for large orchestral arrangements, but now the price differential isn't even fair to compare the two.
WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE:
The cosmetics of the basket aren't really what I like, 12-spokes look better when inverted IMO, but since it allows the shallower clearance I'd rather have that functionality anyway over looks. That's about all I can find not to like, so that should say something in itself.
OVERALL:
If you're looking for a small, sealed-box woofer and realism is your number-one priority, I don't see how you could leave this driver off your list. Power-wise, it really doesn't need a lot of power to shine - I would say 500-600W is all you need to get it to perform admirably.
Two thumbs way up.
My review will follow the same format as Jim's for consistency sake.
A big thanks for Nick for allowing a basshead like myself the opportunity to play with a driver so far from my normal exposure to the large SPL drivers that take a ton of power. The mag is certainly a unique driver.
Jim and I auditioned this driver in his '94 E-150, under the exact same test conditions used for other listening sessions we've done. Power was provided by a PG Tantrum T1200.1, set to 800W @ 4 ohms. In use, the woofer needed nowhere near that level of power to reach its full potential, IMO. Enclosure used was 1 cubic foot, sealed. The woofer was lowpassed @ 63Hz, 24dB/oct.
INITIAL THOUGHTS:
When I first recieved this prototype I am used to seeing very "unique" ways of shipping. Items ranging from pool noodles and foam to packing peanuts are common to find. However with this proto the shipping was double boxed and I would guess to be very close to the packaging that will be used for production models. The build quality was excellent and to be honest I was a bit concerned to begin with when I realized how unique this driver would be. I was very surprised to see very clean glue joints and neatly soldered terminals.
WHAT'S TO LIKE:
I won't go into as much detail as Jim did for the sealed review, but honestly this driver was designed to be used in a sealed box and will only be recommend to be used in a sealed box. Ported drastically reduces the power handling due to the soft suspension used. After all this driver was designed to be a low cost, small mounting depth, small box driver. Nick aimed for a 1 cf sealed box for this driver and hit it dead on. I would think a smaller box would do ok and a slightly larger box wouldn't be horrible, but 1cf is where its at. Sealed this driver excelled and took all the amp wanted. I even found a Young Jeezy CD in Jim's cd case to throw at the mag and it sounded good, for the source used. It played as loud as the ported 12" driver Jim daily drives with.
WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE:
Well in case you haven't figured it out from the previous statements in this review, ported is not the enclosure for this driver. Now I know this will concern some of you, but you have to realize the way this driver was designed, you don't need the larger ported box to compensate for lack of output as it has plenty sealed. By using the recommended 1cf sealed box and 600-800 watts of power you will have one of the most impressive sounding subwoofer setups around, and still have respectable output. Now if you are only concerned with loudness this driver obviously isnt for you, but if you are looking for a nice sounding driver, especially if you have limited space, this is the driver for you.
One other issue that I haven't had a chance to discuss with Nick and is a very very minor issue is the terminals. The basket is painted and I suspect that it is insulated so this probably isn't an issue, but I will state it now. The wire going through the terminals, because of the slim basket design, comes close to the basket if your not careful installing it. As I said this is a minor issue and if installed properly you wont have to worry about it, but it may be something to be addressed now that saves a few headaches for installers.
OVERALL:
When I first installed this driver and began listening to it with Jim I was very impressed with it. Something that comes to mind is Jim saying, " I am going to have a hard time recommending Vanadiums when the mag sounds this good, especially at is price point." I believe that sums up my opinion of the mag in one sentence.
Low price, Small box, low power requirements, all with the quality of Si products, I'd say a match made in heaven.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 119
From: WV
Well the finished protos are done so i can share with you guys some pictures. the driver on the left is the one i reviewed and is a 1000wrms driver for 1 cube sealed, the driver on the right is the BM proto and is a 500wrms driver with a mounting depth around 3"
Hopefully you guys like the design, as they were designed to help us small car guys save weight and still have the sound we all enjoy
Hopefully you guys like the design, as they were designed to help us small car guys save weight and still have the sound we all enjoy
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 119
From: WV
sure, this is without the screenprinting on the dustcap as it is from the proto when I tested it, it also will have a much nicer gasket custom tooled with the company name on it much like the JL one
Sadly I dont have any more pictures of the little red one as it is a bit further out before it hits production
Sadly I dont have any more pictures of the little red one as it is a bit further out before it hits production
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
From: Montreal' Canada
every company has different names for different technologies that are all the same and haven't reall changed since the 60's. It's not totally different in any way. I'm not knocking it. Just I really don;t like overly interweb hyped products that don't even have a working production model of yet.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,659
From: Wisconsin
every company has different names for different technologies that are all the same and haven't reall changed since the 60's. It's not totally different in any way. I'm not knocking it. Just I really don;t like overly interweb hyped products that don't even have a working production model of yet.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 119
From: WV
every company has different names for different technologies that are all the same and haven't reall changed since the 60's. It's not totally different in any way. I'm not knocking it. Just I really don;t like overly interweb hyped products that don't even have a working production model of yet.
Educate yourself by reading this link, I can also provide US patent paperwork if you further don't believe me. I know the difference in marketing bs and a truely unique motor topology.
http://www.adireaudio.com/Files/XBL2TechPaper.pdf
Last edited by lilmaniac2; Mar 31, 2008 at 11:09 PM.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 119
From: WV
and if you want to read more in depth on the design of this driver here is a thread full of information
Click to learn about the new Mag - SSA Forums:
Click to learn about the new Mag - SSA Forums:
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,659
From: Wisconsin
and if you want to read more in depth on the design of this driver here is a thread full of information
Click to learn about the new Mag - SSA Forums:
Click to learn about the new Mag - SSA Forums:
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 119
From: WV
smaller box, accurate response, good transients, and most importantly the very shallow mounting depth...
if your subwoofer takes a 1 cube box compared to the larger 2-3 cubes used for the other subs you save on the driver weight, the box weight, and the excess weight in adding electrical system upgrades.
also the w7 is far from the greatest driver on earth that JL makes it out to be. We tested it in the great 12" challenge in which we had ~30-40 drivers to test, ill grab a link to it in a sec
heres the test link The Great 12" Challenge Test Results - Realm of Excursion: Forum
if your subwoofer takes a 1 cube box compared to the larger 2-3 cubes used for the other subs you save on the driver weight, the box weight, and the excess weight in adding electrical system upgrades.
also the w7 is far from the greatest driver on earth that JL makes it out to be. We tested it in the great 12" challenge in which we had ~30-40 drivers to test, ill grab a link to it in a sec
heres the test link The Great 12" Challenge Test Results - Realm of Excursion: Forum
Last edited by lilmaniac2; Mar 31, 2008 at 11:29 PM.
