Navigation: DIY Audio Projects / Hi-Fi Audio Speaker Drivers (Transducers)

Hi-Fi Audio Drivers (Speakers and Tweeters)

These are some of the drivers that I have managed to get my hands on since my venture into DIY Audio in 2004. The links contain information about the particular driver, which generally include pictures, background information, driver specifications and links to DIY speaker designs that use the driver. The Thiele/Small Parameters have been measured for some of the drivers using the Dayton Audio Woofer Tester 3. These pages have been put together for my information, but hopefully others will find the information of some value.

Last update: 18 December 2008

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Fullrange Speaker Drivers

Jordan JX92S Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $150 (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 140 mm (5.5")
Re: 5.2 ohms *
Fs: 52 Hz *
Qts: 0.56 *
SPL: 85 dB * 		Jordan JX92S Fullrange Speaker Driver
This is a well regarded fullrange driver with a very wide and fairly smooth frequency response. The driver is shielded and constructed on an aluminum die-cast frame. Employs a metal foil cone and dust cap. The driver boasts 9 mm of excursion and in a large enclosure it can deliver much more bottom end than any similar sized fullrange driver. Very good overall performance, but high cost.

Fostex FX120 Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $100US (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 125 mm (5")
Re: 7.3 ohms
Fs: 70 Hz
Qts: 0.45
SPL: 89 dB 		Fostex FX120 Fullrange Speaker Driver
This is my favorite of the Fostex fullrange drivers. The driver is well regarded and has a fairly smooth frequency response. Constructed on a cast frame with a large magnet. The cone is KENAF paper and the dust cap metallic. Excursion is small (2 mm) so SPL and low end extension will be fairly limited. Works well in a wide variety of enclosures. Very good overall performance.

Fostex FE206E Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $88US (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 200 mm (8")
Re: 6.8 ohms *
Fs: 39 Hz *
Qts: 0.24 *
SPL: 94.6 dB * 		Fostex FE206E Fullrange Speaker Driver
The FE206E is the largest of the economical line of Fostex fullrange drivers. The FE206E has a very large magnet and is constructed on a stamped frame. A very light paper cone and whizzer constructed from banana plant fiber. This is a high efficiency driver and the frequency response is good through the midrange but peaky and rough on the top end. Small excursion (1.5 mm) and a very strong motor make this a good choice for a horn enclosure.

CSS FR125SR Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $70US (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 125 mm (5")
Re: 7.2-7.5 *
Fs: 67-78 Hz *
Qts: 0.82-1.02 *
SPL: 82.6-83.4 dB * 		CSS FR125SR Fullrange Speaker Driver
125 mm Fullrange speaker driver with an Xmax of 6 mm. The driver is shielded and constructed on an on a fairly open cast aluminum basket. It features a paper cone, rubber surround and copper phase plug. The test pair of drivers had quality control issues. There are also issues with the driver easily bottoming out. This is a higher Q driver that is best suited for use on an open baffle or sealed / aperiodic enclosures.

Fostex FE167E Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $66US (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 165 mm (6.5")
Re: 7.1 ohms
Fs: 51.5 Hz
Qts: 0.31
SPL: 94 dB 		Fostex FE167E Fullrange Speaker Driver
Part of the economical line of Fostex fullrange drivers. The driver is shielded and constructed on a stamped frame. Very light paper cone and whizzer constructed from banana plant fiber. Relatively high efficiency and the frequency response is good through the midrange but a little rough on the top end. Best when listened to slightly off axis. Very small excursion (0.6 mm) and as a result low maximum output.

Fostex FE127E Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $45US (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 120 mm (~5")
Re: 7.1 ohms *
Fs: ~90 Hz *
Qts: 0.67 *
SPL: ~91 dB * 		Fostex FE127E Fullrange Speaker Driver
Economical fullrange driver that delivers good performance. The frequency response is ok, but most will prefer to listen a little off axis. The driver is shielded and constructed on an stamped frame. Very light paper cone and dust cap constructed from banana plant fiber. Very small excursion (0.7 mm) so SPL and low end extension will be limited. The low cost and good performance makes this driver popular and there are several enclosure designs available.

Fostex FE103E Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $38US (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 100 mm (4")
Re: 7.5 ohms
Fs: 80 Hz
Qts: 0.36
SPL: 89 dB 		Fostex FE103E Fullrange Speaker Driver
Economical fullrange driver with high price to performance ratio. The frequency response is ok, but some may find this driver too forward. Best used slightly off axis. Large motor and stamped frame. Light paper cone and dust cap made from banana plant fiber. Tiny excursion (0.35 mm) so SPL and bass will be very limited. As far as low cost fullrange drivers go, this one has a cult like following.

Dayton Audio RS100S-8 Fullrange Speaker Driver Cost: $27US (Dec 2008)
Diameter: 100 mm (4")
Re: 6.2 ohms *
Fs: 82.9 Hz *
Qts: 0.82 *
SPL: 82.5 dB * 		Dayton Audio RS100S-8 Fullrange Speaker Driver
Small inexpensive fullrange driver that delivers excellent performanace. The driver is shielded and constructed on an open cast frame with an aluminum cone, rubber surround and aluminum phase plug. Very smooth frequency response to over 10 kHz. This is a higher Q driver that will work well on an open baffle or in sealed and aperiodic enclosures. Very high perfomance from this inexpensive driver.

Driver parameters marked with an asterisk (*) have been measured by diyAudioProjects.com. Otherwise, the parameters noted are from the manufacturer.

Discontinued Full Range Speaker Drivers

Discontinued Tweeters