Dave Rat takes apart D&B, L'Acoustics and MicroWedge Monitors

[rorybz]

Also, the 15" midbass from the L'Acoustics looks like a PHL driver (french-made, pricey).

[rorybz]

I'd like to see you get one of the K-Array Redline systems and take it apart. I wonder if it's all that different from the Bose MA12 (except that the Bose uses ferrite-motor drivers, while the K-Array are neo). With the price of neo doing what it has been, I've been thinking about ways to most effectively use the alternative material out there, which would be ferrite.

[ladjkaoz]

dude.. im so much like you...

keep it coming great vid... this is the only way how we can make a more... wide decision..

keep it coming bro....

[dorinpetrean]

some one or you guys from ratsound have a look at nexo 45°N-12 loudspeaker monitor?

[www73171]

@dorinpetrean I saw that they copied the "port to the floor" design that I came up with for the MicroWedge.

[dorinpetrean]

@www73171

As you already said with this point "Why do these wedges have so much bottom-end? ...", that's clearly, Dave rules!

What about the sound? Did you compare this little boxes with MicroW?

I hear them already and I just was amazed. I'm asking this because I didn't have the chance to listen MicroW yet.

[www73171]

@dorinpetrean I have not heard them yet.  Nexo is pretty good at making good sounding, loud and small speaker products so I would expect it to sound pretty good. Since Nexo uses reflected sound for the high frequency to achieve the coverage pattern, my experience is that there are artifacts caused by that indirect sound that are less optimum than direct sound that the Microwedge offers.

[dorinpetrean]

@www73171 uhhh, I have to listen Micro's then. I'm looking for smallest wedges monitors as possible and very well balanced sound, proof made. I started with d&b, which are very nice but not as small as I want. Nexo was in my looking direction pretty small, high spl even at 2 or 3 meters very well balanced and tight sound. anyway i had to give a look to micro's before I made my decision.

[www73171]

@dorinpetrean Ya know there is a MicroWedge 10 and MicroWedge 8 coming out soon as well and they are really small and quite loud,

[dmtdreamer]

Really enjoyed the video, not often can one rip apart top model wedges in their dining room. One question though-you say a couple times that the 15" on the microwedge acts as the horn-does that mean that the throat length vary with the excursion of the driver or is there a smaller horn hidden under the dust cap with the 15" as a final flare? My rather limited understanding of horn design thinks that a throat of continually varying length would have continually varying tuning, yes? Cheers-PR

[www73171]

@LandRoverTeun Nope, it was the D & B black paint. The L'Acoustics have rubber 'bands around the ends that do well at preventing the paint from marking the floor.

[czeka2]

@www73171

La's rubber band is good, nut not enough. From their smaller products, like 108P it just comes off... but that is only a rubber ring. The 115 HiQ's band is more stiff

[mirceaciuciuc]

@LandRoverTeun

Yes , you are right that he is pointing more in the L'acoustics.Also Dave you should have added the d&b M4 to compare as is has a 15 inch with a coax 1.3 inch compression driver mounted on 50X70 CD.The M2 can not be near those two as it has a different design.If it comes to specs the L'acoustics has a maximum of 139,5 dB and the M4 has 140 dB in active mode on a d&b D12.The weight is 28 Kg for L'acoustics while the M4 has only 20 Kg.In conclusion I think M4 has clear advantages.

[LandRoverTeun]

@mirceaciuciuc

Thanks for your reply.

You're right that the M4 is the most logical choice for comparing, but that is just for being the same type of monitor (coax). The difference between 139,5dB and 140dB is negligible.

What also would have been interesting, is comparing it with the Funktion One RM monitoring range.

Those are resp. two-way (RM12&RM15) and three-way (RM18) coaxial monitors. Due the 5" paper cone it is very clear sounding, not harsh, good for voice etc.

In my opinion F1=best

[czeka2]

@LandRoverTeun

I think the RM12 is better than RM15, and both are just not good. RM18 is a defferent story and the PSM12 is actually really good too...

[www73171]

@LandRoverTeun Actually it was the D&B that made the black marks. I was moving these around and it does not leave much room for mistaking where the marks were coming from. The rubber ring and MicroWedege feet did not leave marks.

[LandRoverTeun]

@www73171 I just watched the video again, and you're absolutely right. Thanks for your reply.

Totally different question; what do you think of Funktion One and Turbosound?

[bfx596]

Ahhh, someone with real world experience, who talks the language from actual knowlege.Well done. Most know just enough to be dangerous and annoying,,, not here. thanks--- well done demo

[chazhs]

Hi Dave thanks for the informative video.

Just out of interest, do you guys use any Nexo PS series as monitors or for fills? If so do you use their accompanying subs? I've got a couple of things I could do with your opinion on but it would do with you knowing the cabinets before hand!

Cheers.

[www73171]

@chazhs Rat Sound does not have Nexo gear and not familiar enough to give in depth opinions though.

[Joelito2k9]

Hey Dave, Joel here...

Two questions, don't you think that ports beside the drivers affects acoustical response? and, the other one, coaxials rules, i try and test your Wedge and is awesome, but the one thing i don't get is why they use Neo Buttoms instead a complete magnet has always, knowing that has many magnets you put, many polar "fights" will be there, isn't that important?

[www73171]

Theoretically port location isn't relevant. At least according to everything I have read. Though in real world experience I've found that locating the ports close to the speaker is better than further away as the summation of the port output and speaker output is important.

Also, coupling the port to the floor is even more beneficial than having the ports close to the driver.

As far as buttons vs ring neo magnets, we compared both and the button HF, ring LF was optimum for the 15

[conyanaya]

would thos sound good in a box in a car hooked up to an amp?

[www73171]

Most likely they would not be optimum for a car but never thought of it but it may be a bit of a wallet squeeze.

Lets see, for 2 D&B M2 wedges and 2 of the dedicated mono amps, figure about $17,000 or so.

For the L'Acoustics and a four channel LA-8 amp, it will only run ya about say $13,000 or so.

And a pair of Micro's and a 4 channel processed amp will only set ya back maybe $10,000.

Plus the amps all power from 120 volts so you would need a pretty hefty inverter as well.

[Joelito2k9]

Or a long long cable :D

[TheTecm]

@www73171

Unbeliefable such prices. Have a look at the gbfb test

[1956pepper]

Dave "Einstein" Rat. ❤

[czeka2]

@1956pepper Sometimes jus good, if a person, who works in pro audio field starts to use his mind and hels in the development.

[1956pepper]

@czeka2 Dave is a great guy (and a great mind), he has his own fan following, in addition to you techies, from the Chili Peppers world. We love Dave!

[TheMeMonsterMusic]

awesome video as always dave!

- Mitch (Sound Art Calgary)