Getting Ready for Iowa Maybe?

I’m trying to put something together for Iowa. I might bring a 3D printed Mechano23 with me just for grins but I would prefer to have something that was wholly my own design and I’m totally running out of time.

Long story short, I need a midrange - preferably in the 6-8" size - that is reasonably shallow and digs down to 200 Hz or so with low distortion. A neo motor could be helpful. Size is kind of important for the style I’m going for, but if there is something close I guess I could make a ring around it to make it look bigger.

There are several pro audio mids that might work but they all run so hot compared to the woofer I (tentatively) selected they’d need significant padding. Ideally I’d find a mid that was a bit inefficient, something around 87 dB. Something at a reasonable-ish cost (~$100 or less) would be nice, but I’m open to expanding that a bit if needed.

On the shortlist so far (I’m ALL OVER the place on this):

  • Satori MR16 (~88dB) - A little on the pricier side but it’s close.
  • Peerless FSL-0512 (~91dB) - A little small but I own some already, unsure it could cross as low as I’d like.
  • BMS 8N519 (94! dB) - I REALLY want to use this driver for something but I don’t think this is it. Sensitivity is high and would about match my (tentatively) selected tweeter though. Also it’s like twice as expensive as the Satori.
  • MAC-06 (~86 dB)- I have a pair of these too, they’d dig a bit deeper than the FSL and match sensitivity pretty well but I suspect the FSL is a bit cleaner.

Please send help!

Edit:

I do have the FaitalPRO 5FE125 as well. A little small but it could work.

What are the constraints? Tentatively selected other drivers, target enclosure volume, budget, etc.

Hi!

Budget is…well I’m seriously considering the Textreme version of the Satori MR16, which I can get around $400 a pair. Let’s say that is the ceiling for now…but obviously we can go lower than that. Or free even, if I decide to go with what I have.

Crossover point is expected to be between 1500-2000 Hz, so it needs to play nicely up to meet the tweeter. Ideally without steep slopes.

Volume for the mid will be a constraint for sure. Needs to be minimal. Like 4L or less.

Other drivers will probably be a single ~6-8" woofer the mid hands off to which will have its own volume to play with.