Poly/Mica Drivers

Gowa

How do you feel about Poly/Mica Drivers?

dcibel

If it's mineral filled or fibre reinforced, often performs well, but from a visual standpoint, ugly. No one wants to associate plastic and high-end together. The cheap poly cones (IMPP?) can be a fair bit less temperature stable which isn't good either.

Some cheap drivers I've seen that have a thin poly layer on a paper cone, I assume to try and damp the breakup with added poly, JBL Polyplas for example. Maybe something like a fibreglass or kevlar cone with a thin poly layer could be a good solution too that doesn't look so much like plastic.

jr@mac

I like poly cones. 

kennyk

No real experience with them. I'm game. 

D1PP1N

Mike drivers are the best

Gowa

The reason I ask is that Rival makes a 7'' black Poly/Mica driver.

dcibel

Paper is my jam. I'm sure the Rival poly cone performs well, but it's not pretty to look at IMO.

Actually now that I think about it, I'm fairly certain the Discovery line is a thin woven fibreglass with poly coat, and there is a new small Dayton line that is similar as well.

Wolf

Depends on the driver. I've seen/heard both good and bad resolving poly drivers.

Used well, they can be as good as other materials. Audio Technology, Dynaudio, and Morel come to mind as good examples.

Gowa

Domain= FreeAir

Model= STD

Revc=    6.200  Ohm

Fo=   37.325  Hz

Sd=  134.000  cm²

Vas=   30.612m M³

Cms=    1.166m M/N

Mmd=   14.688  g

Mms=   15.600  g

BL=    7.758  T·M

Qms=    5.793

Qes=    0.377

Qts=    0.354

Levc=   38.820m mH

No=     0.408 %

SPLo=   88.129  dB

rjj45

If I had a choice, I would likely choose a Kevlar/Paper or Nomex cone over poly,
but people I trust say that high-end poly drivers are as good as anything.
Assuming the bass performance was somewhat similar for the various cone materials, I look for descriptions like "transparent midrange" or "tremendous dynamic capability" or "incredible detail".

Gowa

jhollander

That's one of those drivers I'd want to listen to with no x-o to determine what the break up sound like

Gowa

I actually had the experience of hearing these poly drivers in a TM. They sounded real good but I didn't think of analyzing them at the time. I just listened for about 1/2 hour or so. To me, they were very detailed. If memory serves, the tweeter was the Peerless HDS.

S7910

Poly is my personal preference. I'm game.

Gowa

I'm going to pick up a few of the 7'' Poly drivers and put them on sale. This will help to get some feedback. I'll post when they are available.They have an aluminum dustcap.

Wolf

Are these as the ones you donated last fall for CKY-DIY?

Gowa

Yes, they are very similar except for the dustcap.

jr@mac

So they will have a black dustcap? If so, I am down for a pair.

Gowa

Yes, it is a black aluminum dustcap. I'll check to see if they have any in stock and what price I can get. It would be cool to offer them at the same price as the CP was. I'll know tomorrow.

S7910

Put me down for a pair as well.

Gowa

Ok, so I may be able to get a few of these at a decent price. I'm not sure how many. I was told that the majority of inventory is spoken for. I asked if they could spare dozen for me that would be great, but don't bet on it. I'll know Monday for sure.

jhollander

Too many drivers not enough time...no more shelf queens

6thplanet

 Always liked the way the ACantus poly cones looked, and sound for that matter...

Gowa

Yes those are nice sandwich cones.

Gowa

The SB Acoustics SB17MFC35-8 looks pretty delicious and reasonably priced. 

PaulEbert

Yes, and the distortion is rather amazing.
http://www.zaphaudio.com/temp/SBAcoustics-SB17MFC35-8-HD.gif

Wonder how it sounds.

Gowa

Amazing is the word.