Anyone interested in a 22" IB3?

**fackamato** · **02-15-09, 07:49 AM**

Quote:

Mika75 wrote:

Why 22" ..when one can have 24"

Not very useful for a subwoofer though.

**Mika75** · **02-16-09, 01:49 AM**

Quote:

fackamato wrote:

Not very useful for a subwoofer though.

and why is that ?

**Fi Audio** · **02-17-09, 12:16 AM**

Looks like about 11 mm of xmax with a 24" cone. Im figuring that 30mm of xmax with the puny 22" cone might just have it beat displacement wise

**filtor1** · **02-17-09, 02:21 PM**

As my little house isn't really set up for IB due to the mass of ajoining rooms, I am more interested in seeing what one of these tweaked for sealed/ported application would do. If I had the room, I would jump on the IB's. Hopefully in my next house.

**Mika75** · **02-17-09, 10:19 PM**

Why not just have the woofers free-standing on their own without any form of cabinet - just a wooden stand to support the magnet ....

**fackamato** · **02-18-09, 02:34 AM**

Quote:

Mika75 wrote:

Why not just have the woofers free-standing on their own without any form of cabinet - just a wooden stand to support the magnet ....

That wouldn't produce much sound

**onebadmonte** · **02-18-09, 03:45 PM**

Quote:

fackamato wrote:

That wouldn't produce much sound

It seemed to work for the Adire Parthenon.

**fackamato** · **02-18-09, 03:54 PM**

Quote:

onebadmonte wrote:

It seemed to work for the Adire Parthenon.

What do you mean?

**onebadmonte** · **02-18-09, 06:34 PM**

Like Mika75 described it. The Parthenon was a free standing woofer with no cabinet. See here http://www.audiojunkies.com/blog/120...mate-subwoofer

**fackamato** · **02-18-09, 06:38 PM**

Wouldn't that count as open baffle subwoofer? Or dipole? Not really sure how that works, it would cancel its own soundwaves no?

**onebadmonte** · **02-18-09, 10:06 PM**

Quote:

fackamato wrote:

Wouldn't that count as open baffle subwoofer? Or dipole? Not really sure how that works, it would cancel its own soundwaves no?

Yes, and yes. All I know is that at low frequencies the name of the game is moving chingos of air. Just to stay on topic. Any pics of a finished Fi 22" driver? Any line would suffice. Thanks.

**Fi Audio** · **02-19-09, 01:52 AM**

Not yet as we still don't have finalized cone bodies for it.

134dB from the Parthenon at CES? I remember staying up late a couple nights machining all the delrin parts, spacers, and supports, and assembling the soft parts for it, but never knew it did that

**onebadmonte** · **02-19-09, 09:11 AM**

Quote:

Fi Audio wrote:

Not yet as we still don't have finalized cone bodies for it.

134dB from the Parthenon at CES? I remember staying up late a couple nights machining all the delrin parts, spacers, and supports, and assembling the soft parts for it, but never knew it did that

134dB @ 11Hz none the less, or at least that's what they say. Scott do you think $5K worth of 22" IB3 can out do one $5K Parthenon? I guess the real question would be do I have enough ceiling in my living room for $5k worth of 22" IB3's?.... Yes, I do.... Muahahahahahahha!

Thanks Scott.

**Fi Audio** · **02-20-09, 02:21 AM**

onebadmonte...

I have no doubts that $5k worth of 22" IBs would be able to obliterate $5k worth of Parthenon (as per the specs and pricing from the above link). Having my hands in the Parthenon as much as I did, I do find the specs to be off. But even as described, equal $ amounts worth of drivers, the IB3 purchase would have 10 times the thermal and mechanical power capacity of the Parthenon, not to mention more than twice the linear displacement without any of the cancellation effects... Um yeah...

**anidabi** · **04-01-09, 03:01 AM**

So, what is the situation, when this will be ready?

**dgilme** · **04-14-09, 10:00 PM**

Yes, any update on making 22s?

**dynamowhum** · **04-19-09, 10:26 AM**

Waiting not so patiently for the release of this bad boy. Got a birthday coming up.

**Fi Audio** · **04-21-09, 09:30 AM**

Doing more and more of things in house. We are tooling up with a new machine for the cone bodies and working out a vendor to supply us with material. Somewhat of a slow process, but we are going head long into doing as close to everything in house as possible (hence the last week being spent setting up a new warehouse specifically from apparel and printing production... final straw was two local vendors dropping the ball one too many times. So now we have in house 3 color pad printing ability, 6 color screen printing, a smaller CNC specifically for custom badge work and other smaller items, and vinyl/banner capability as well as a full time staffer for all of it).

While this is definitely dragging out the lead times, it will allow us to do other things quickly one we are tooled/machined up and rolling along. Not too mention do things that others simply cant.

Thanks,
Scott

**filtor1** · **04-21-09, 12:07 PM**

Thanks for the update Scott. It is often more efficient to vertically integrate especially considering your attention to detail.

I am still excited about the potential of this driver. Good luck with the process. Even though it can be irritating, it can be just as much fun if you let it.

Chris

**Ricci** · **04-21-09, 02:17 PM**

Quote:

Fi Audio wrote:

Doing more and more of things in house. We are tooling up with a new machine for the cone bodies and working out a vendor to supply us with material. Somewhat of a slow process, but we are going head long into doing as close to everything in house as possible (hence the last week being spent setting up a new warehouse specifically from apparel and printing production... final straw was two local vendors dropping the ball one too many times. So now we have in house 3 color pad printing ability, 6 color screen printing, a smaller CNC specifically for custom badge work and other smaller items, and vinyl/banner capability as well as a full time staffer for all of it).

While this is definitely dragging out the lead times, it will allow us to do other things quickly one we are tooled/machined up and rolling along. Not too mention do things that others simply cant.

Thanks,
Scott

Oh goody...sounds like you're ready to start work on the uber 22" small box driver we talked about...

In seriousness, it sounds like you guys are taking some good steps there. The more control you have over your product the better.

**onebadmonte** · **04-22-09, 11:20 AM**

Sounds like exciting times at Fi Audio. It's not everyday you hear about a speaker manufacturer go into the tee-shirt printing business.

Can't wait to hear a 22" IB3.

**mdrake** · **04-22-09, 12:05 PM**

My problem is that if something happened GOOD luck getting an email back!!!!!! I have emailed them several time and have NEVER seen a reply. So yes I wold love a 22" woofer but not from a company that won't even respond to simple emails. Just my two cents worth.

Matt

**filtor1** · **04-22-09, 12:58 PM**

I have had the same experience with the emails. I have since contacted other people with the company, particularly on the car audio side, and had good response rates. Many times within the same day.

**onebadmonte** · **04-22-09, 03:51 PM**

Quote:

mdrake wrote:

My problem is that if something happened GOOD luck getting an email back!!!!!! I have emailed them several time and have NEVER seen a reply. So yes I wold love a 22" woofer but not from a company that won't even respond to simple emails. Just my two cents worth.

Matt

It works for paypal.

More power to Scott for making a product everyone wants, that he has a tough time answering everyone's questions. I think its the best plan for those on a budget. It seems if you've got some wienie question that can be answered by searching the forums you'll be waiting a while to get an answer from him. If you've got a problem with a product you purchased, people seem to get quick and satisfying responses. I'll buy one. It'll be my first Fi purchase.

**ISLAND1000** · **04-22-09, 06:12 PM**

I bought an LMS 5400 18" and now the manufacturer, TC Sounds, is no more.
The key to circumstances like these is to know the value of the 22" driver you buy. And if it costs a $1000 dollars, treat it like you would a $100,000 dollar car or a $5000 plasma HDTV . . . . . carefully. Then if the manufacturer becomes a problem or non-existent in my case, you at least have the driver still in working condition.
A 22" driver with capabilities talked about in this thread offered at a "reasonable price" is going to be a hot item if it makes it to the market place. If you're serious about a purchase you better already have an idea what you're willing to pay for a cutting edge monster like this.
The first production runs of this driver will NOT be in the thousands of units. There will be some bad units making it passed inspection and some will need to be returned for service. There will be a waiting period after you place your order and the unit is delivered. The manufacturer's staff will be overwhelmed for a period of time if the driver meets expectations. Buyers will be online sharing info, tests, and performance, almost immediately. DIY projects will begin immediately and excitement will reign. There will be graphs to analyze and pictures to marvel at. There'll even be pictures of guys carrying them around in their arms.
GET READY! BE PREPARED!

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