Guys,
I agree with alot of what is written. If I may be so bold, I think many of you get caught up in parameters...and maybe push other important factors down the list. I have worked on and designed drivers for many companies in the last 16 years (KEF, Bose, Velodyne, Boston Acoustics, Peavey, Harley Davidson, Audio Technica, Fender MI, etc.). Parameters are one of several STARTING points in designing a subwoofer driver. Once you start integrating the system, LOTS of other issues come up.
Ultimately, when it comes to very low frequency transducers (real SUBwoofer drivers), it is ALL about linearity, moving far, moving cleanly, and moving reliably. Specifically:
1) Having a very linear and long throw motor system. This requires a lot of voice coil overhang or underhang and a linear magnetic field.
2) Having a very linear and long throw suspension.
3) NO NOISES!!!!!! WOW, this is one of the primary reasons people switch to Acoupower and Bully drivers. I can't tell you how may emails and phone calls we have recieved from people in the last month alone who just bought a nice Adire or Dayton driver, and the leads are slapping, or the cone is ticking, or the coil is rubbing....all at just a handful of volts
.
4) Having a reliable moving systems and lots of power handling.
5) Having low power compression
I don't have the time right now to discuss all of the above here in this relpy...the
Acoupower site gets into much of this. However, let me stay with #3 above. No Bully drivers ships unless they are noise free (ticks and buzzes) through 90% of their mechanical limit. Acoupower drivers do not ship until they pass a free air sweep of 50V RMS for the 15" driver and 70V RMS for the 18" driver:holycow: . Go ahead and try that with any other driver. Just don't complain to me that the driver broke.
Also, and I am sure that many of you will agree, published specs are almost always exaggerated. You don't always get what you think you are getting.
In short, and simply, you have to try a driver and push it hard before you can pass any judgement on it.
Carlos