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I just had this crazy idea to experiment w/my beloved Dali Grands and replace one or both midrange drivers w/Lowhters DX45 drivers. These are full range drivers, and yet I've read about the infamous "Lowther Shout", which some manufacturers dealt with by using by using Lowthers as mid-range drivers (such as the Hornings)
I wrote to Lowther in the UK and they had no problem recommending the DX45 for my experiment. I wrote to Dali and never heard fr/them.
Does anybody care to comment on this? Is this insanity on my part (but then again, we're in the Asylum, aren't we?
Follow Ups:
Folks, everybody's point is well taken. I thought this was insanity from the start, but then again that's why I subscribe to the Asylum...When I ask Louther UK which of their drivers would match my Dali (and did send them the specs), here's what they replied with:
"The best Lowther drive unit for your purpose would be the DX45. Lowthers are renowned for excellent mid-range."
Then I ask Lowther if I should replace both midrange drivers or just one w/their DX45's, and they said:
"Both would be the best option to ensure correct matching. However, a possible suggestion is to purchase just 2 pieces to start with and try one in each enclosure below the tweeter. Then try both in one enclosure and see which provides the best sound for you. Room acoustics and positioning also play a large part."
Hence the conundrum:
First I did ask Lowther because they know their products. Then I ask my fellow inmates because I value your opinion. Thus I'm at a crossroads.
I can either a) do nothing and enjoy the Dali's as I've been doing, or b) Get the Lowhters, let my ears judge the results and if it fails to please there is always ebay or the 'gon to get some of my $$ back.Waddayathink?
Honestly, it's a terrible idea, and the results of such chance modifications are inevitably a disaster. The designers at Dali are very accomplished, and the midrange drivers in your speaker have been selected to match the other drivers in sensitivity and other performance parameters. The crossover has certainly been computer optimized to work precisely with the drivers. You are proposing to drop in drivers with completely different parameters, much higher sensitivity, totally different frequency response, Q, even impedance.
I can easily predict what will happen: the midrange will overpower everything else and the speaker will sound horrible. Ok, now that you know what will happen, it's up to you to decide whether or not you want to go ahead and do it. It's your money. BTW, I work for a driver company-as is evident from my moniker, and if you asked me the same question about a pair of my drivers, I'd give you the exact same answer. If you don't like the sound of your speakers, then spend your money on new speakers.
You seem intrigued by the idea and if you are willing to spend a few bucks to experiment, I can't see any reason why not -- you can always put the originals back in. I, for one, would be interested to hear the results.
It's not a bad driver, but the efficiency and impedance of the new driver is totally different from what the speaker was designed and optimized for. The overall impedance curve of the speaker will likely be messed up as well.The best driver in a good but mismatched speaker design can be ruthless, in regard to the resultant flaws of such endeavor. Drivers in a loudspeaker are the antithesis of "plug and play." You'd probably end up needing someone to re-build the crossover to optimize the speaker for the new driver.
I can't imagine the Lowther driver specs are anything close to the Dali driver. Besides efficiency, you'll have a different impedance curve and resonance. Also, cabinet design and the crossover will not be matched to the new driver. (A good crossover is matched to the characteristics of a specific driver. You just can't substitute drivers at will and expect things to perform well.)
Not a good idea.Your just asking for wet pants. If you want to try a lowther system DIY or purchase one, used might be a good idea.Keep in mind many other full range drivers about, fostex, tang band, AER, PHY, supravox ,bunch of hemp cone fullranges out now, good times for us hi-eff and fullrange types.
Why not have a speaker made with Lowther drivers? There are expert DIYers on our site.They would perhaps be interested in helping you out.Why ruin a good Dali speaker with mismatched drivers?
This is like putting an 18" wheel on one wheel of a car with 16" wheels. Even if it's a better wheel than the other 3 it will mess up the car. A good speaker is an integrated design meaning the box design, box construction, driver choice, crossover design and parts and the final voicing of the design have been neshed to be greater than the sum of their parts. Mess with it unless you really know how to design an entire speaker and odds are way, way greater you'll really mess things up than improve them. We all like to play and put our own signature on things but you need to know when to do it and when not.
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