6.5”, sensitive, full range drivers - suggestions?

[Chiliarches]

Howdy!

I have a set of single-driver Realistic Solo-1s and one of the drivers is bad - looks to be 6.5”. The cabinets are nice, so I am thinking of replacing the drivers and using them at my desk. What is a nice set of sensitive, full range 6.5” drivers that would work well with a low power SET? Something like a mini watt, which I am using at my desk now.

Looking to spend as LITTLE as possible, but open to really any suggestions if there is a “high value” option...

Thanks!!!

 

[opnly bafld]

Visaton BG17 ?

 

[insomniac]

I bet Fostex makes something that would suit your needs.

 

[mhardy6647]

Haven't heard 'em.
4 ohm.
Not cheap.
... but maybe (?) worth considering.

https://www.parts-express.com/dayto...-low-profile-full-range-driver-4-ohm--295-348

 

[CT_Ohio]

Here's a link for the aforementioned Visaton speaker
https://www.parts-express.com/visaton-bg17-8-65-full-range-speaker-with-whizzer-cone-8-ohm--292-546

Another one with similar build (paper w/ paper-cloth surround) is the Dayton Wideband.
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-pm180-8-6-1-2-wideband-midbass-neo-driver--295-343

Different TS params though; the Visaton has a Qts of .74, and the Dayton has a Qts of .28 -- I would guess the [edited -- ] Visaton might be closer to the old Realistic speaker, as the Solo-1 looks like a sealed cabinet (?). Both are 8 ohm and pretty sensitive; from an eBay listing it looks like the original woofer is 8 ohm as well.

Edit: I flipped the Qts thing, higher would be better in sealed box. If there *is* a port behind the cloth, then maybe that Dayton.

 

[gdmoore28]

Visaton BG17 ?

Excellent suggestion, and probably the one I'd go with. The graph looks good, the speaker looks good, and in a 1 cubic foot vented cab it can do ~70 Hz F3. And it's efficient: 93dB/1 watt/1 meter. Nice treble extension, too. And it's cheap!

https://www.parts-express.com/visaton-bg17-8-65-full-range-speaker-with-whizzer-cone-8-ohm--292-546

GeeDeeEmm

 

[mhardy6647]

Not "fullrange", but Lafayette Radio Electronics once sold cute little 6-1/2" coaxes for hifi that are sensitive, sound good and were, and are, cheap
Not too hard to find, either.

lafayettedrivers by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
(bottom left of this catalog page scan)

another very nice vintage option, if you can find a pair, was the Pioneer (Fukuin) PIM-6L (and its various cousins). These are the smaller cousins of the "famous" Lafayette SK-98/ Pioneer PIM-8L drivers and are, in essence, miniature versions of the Altec "Biflex" driver configuration (one voice coil with two cones and surrounds coaxially mounted on a frame).

Full disclosure: I think (??) the PIM-6L is more like 6-1/4 inch (160 mm), though.

Pioneer LRE biflexes by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

http://www.audio-heritage.jp/PIONEER-EXCLUSIVE/unit/pim-16a.html

 

[mhardy6647]

The stock Solo-1 drivers ain't terrible, FWIW.

003 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

005 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

I wouldn't be surprised if the cabinet isn't the limiting factor for those little drivers, in fact.

EDIT: The Solo-1 was vented (ported).


source: www.radioshackcatalogs.com (1961)

 

[Chiliarches]

Thanks for the help, gents!

The speakers are sealed and 8 ohms...but I never really heard the originals properly, so no sentiment there. Just want to use the cabinets!


Does that suggest the Visaton, then? I know nothing about speaker design...

 

[mhardy6647]

That's odd -- they must be very late models, as they're very different than the 1960s morph of that model.

Still ported as of 1973, at least according to the catalog?!

source: www.radioshackcatalogs.com (1973)

1974 Catalog is mum on the topic, though

source: http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/html/1974/h028.html

 

[Chiliarches]

So, consensus on the Visaton then?

 

[valvenator]

Lowthers!...oh wait you said spend as LITTLE as possible.
I was going to suggest maybe looking into Audio Nirvana but those are in the $200+ range

One other option would be a bigger or smaller speaker that calls for the same cubic ft. dimensions as your boxes, but that would take more effort since you'd have to make new baffles.

 

[mhardy6647]

So, consensus on the Visaton then?

Worth a try.
The small, sealed box is going to be very limiting no matter what's put into it, I'm afraid.
-3dB @ 70 Hz would be impressive, I would say.

 

[gdmoore28]

Worth a try.
The small, sealed box is going to be very limiting no matter what's put into it, I'm afraid.
-3dB @ 70 Hz would be impressive, I would say.

Well, not in his case, though. Those figures are for a 1 cubic foot ported enclosure.

GeeDeeEmm

 

[mhardy6647]

Well, not in his case, though. Those figures are for a 1 cubic foot ported enclosure.

GeeDeeEmm

That sounds somewhat more plausible.

I am still trying to grok a sealed Solo-1... odd.

 

[borus]

Chiliarches Those are the newer smaller solos. They have a n odd bolt pattern most 6.5s will not match up don't try it The screws will hurt your new surrounds. Better to find a nice 5.25 make a flange and your on your way. May I suggest the PA130-8
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-pa130-8-5-full-range-pa-driver--295-010

 

[borus]

I am still trying to grok a sealed Solo-1... odd.

Sorry what does this mean? "grok?"

 

[Chiliarches]

Chiliarches Those are the newer smaller solos. They have a n odd bolt pattern most 6.5s will not match up don't try it The screws will hurt your new surrounds. Better to find a nice 5.25 make a flange and your on your way. May I suggest the PA130-8
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-pa130-8-5-full-range-pa-driver--295-010

Oh humbug. My whole goal was just dropping something in. The picture of the Visaton drivers look like the bolt-holes line up at the same spots as the original drivers in mine...am I missing something??

EDIT: I should add, thanks for the help!

 

[mhardy6647]

Sorry what does this mean? "grok?"

https://www.google.com/search?q=gro...9i60l3j69i65.861j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[mhardy6647]

Oh humbug. My whole goal was just dropping something in. The picture of the Visaton drivers look like the bolt-holes line up at the same spots as the original drivers in mine...am I missing something??

EDIT: I should add, thanks for the help!

Well, according to the info at the PE website, the "bolt circle" for the Visaton is 155 mm (6.10 inches).
Measure your driver and see how it compares.