# Dayton Audio DC160-4 distortion measurements
**URL:** https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717
**Category:** DIY
**Created:** [August 15, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717 "2026-08-15T17:13:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@ron\_e](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/u/ron_e)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717/1 "2026-08-15T17:13:09Z")
A friend of mine heard the Dactives and wants to build a pair. The Peerless woofer I used is no longer available and I’m looking for a replacement. I have a pair of DC160-4’s on the shelf and they model well in a .6 cu. ft. box. Looking around the net the only complaint I’ve seen about the DC160-4 is that the midrange distortion is high and that you should cross it low. Does anyone have distortion measurements?
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### Author:  [@ron\_e](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/u/ron_e)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717/2 "2026-08-15T20:42:12Z")
I did some more digging. I knew Zaph Audio had tested the DC160 but couldn’t see a way to see his measurements. His comments were not kind. I figured out how to get to the distortion measurements and while they may not be the best squiggles I didn’t think at 40db down they were awful.
I’m not opposed to using different driver with lower distortion but would like to keep the box small and still get down to 40Hz.
Any comments of suggestions?
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### Author:  [@Hobi](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/u/Hobi)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717/3 "2026-08-15T21:22:20Z")
If the sound is similar to the 8 ohm version, I wouldn’t worry about the distortion measurements. I used the 8 ohm version in the Classix II and thought they sounded very good. True, the midrange wasn’t as clear as my Slapshots (RS180P) or your C-notes, but they had a nice, ‘warm’ sound.
Bass was very good as long as the volume knob wasn’t abused. From Paul Carmody’s comments, not many affordable drivers would play as low in a small-ish cabinet.
XO for the Classix II speaker is about 2,000Hz, I think.
I couldn’t find information about the Dactives: which tweeter did they use, please?
Geoff
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### Author:  [@gregrueff](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/u/gregrueff)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717/4 "2026-08-15T21:24:59Z")
Hello!
Here are my measurements of two (2) DC160-4 in-box. These were some of my first speakers and a learning experience from way back when, but I suppose valid nonetheless.
Cheers,
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### Author:  [@ron\_e](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/u/ron_e)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717/6 "2026-08-15T22:06:24Z")
I used the SB Acoustics SB19ST-C000-4.
[https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/the-dactives-using-a-dayton-audio-kabd-430-dsp-board/366](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/the-dactives-using-a-dayton-audio-kabd-430-dsp-board/366)
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### Author:  [@ron\_e](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/u/ron_e)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://discourse.midwestaudio.club/t/dayton-audio-dc160-4-distortion-measurements/717/7 "2026-08-15T22:08:41Z")
Thanks for the info.
I think I’ll give the DC160-4 a try.