| # Speaker Project - Monitors # Selecting Drivers

> > > Selecting drivers is an art more than a science, although it uses some science. I selected drivers by picking from spec sheets, and knowing manufacturers. I first picked the Vifa PL18WO-09 and the LPG 38T.

> > > I picked the Vifa because the specs on it are virtually perfect for a monitor. Good high end, great power handling, and adequate bottom end. It's a bit bigger than usual for a smaller speaker but the above average high end works well in this design.

> > > I picked the LPG because I wanted a larger-than-usual tweeter to allow for better power handling and to simplify the crossover design.

> > > If you've read the earlier pages you will note that the original testing knocked the LPG out of contention. Measurements were so-so and listening tests were similarly so-so. I originally switched to the Vifa D27 (a tweeter I've used before) but when my driver supplier (AudioLab of Georgia) got in the Vifa XT25 I tested it as well and ended up using that tweeter.

> > > So, the final driver complement in the monitors is 2 Vifa PL18WO-09 and 1 Vifa XT25TG-30. The drivers alone cost approximately $180 per speaker. These are the high-end drivers from Vifa. The middle-class Vifa drivers would cost about $60 per speaker and work just about as well (with a bit less bottom end and a bit hairier crossover region).

> > > The PL18WO-09 Woofer | The XT25TG-30 tweeter.

> > > To make this simpler to read/understand all of the discussion in this section assumes the final driver complement and ignores the mistakes / retries (those are written in earlier pages).

> > > back main next

> > > last updated October 27, 2001