John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

I'm wondering just how important driver selection is qualitatively speaking. For instance there are midrange unites that vary from $10 a unit to $150. I realize that an improperly crossed over system or designed cabinet can make the best speaker sound like gargage. What I would like to know from anyone who cares to answer. In your experience did higher priced drivers make the largest difference in your speakers? I've actually heard stories that relatively high end companies have used low cost speakers in their designs.

You know the old saying, "you get what you pay for".

This is true with speaker drivers too - for the most part. There are a fair number of high priced drivers that don't live up to their promise. And there are some low priced drivers that are little jewels. However, the technology that goes into making a modern high linearity driver is relatively expensive. Stiff yet highly damped cone materials, "aerodynamic" motor assemblies, faraday rings, adhesives, tight manufacturing tolerances, etc., these all add up.

Thomas