voice coil and magnet size in relation to power handling

[optimusprime 10+ year member]

how important are the size and materials that a voice coil are made of and also how important is the size(or weight) of the the magnet used in relation to power handling capabilities?

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[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Generally speaking (I'm watching out for eCrack), the larger, the more power handling. I believe some companies may use this as an advertising technique as well. It's more with quality than quantity in this case. I've seen subs with 2-2.5 vc take power that would blow cheaper 3" vc out of the water.

When you talk about weight, don't forget about neo motors. Most woofers with a neo motor are pretty nice. Warden, DC neo, DDz, Fi BTL, Critical Mass UL12, etc.

 

[optimusprime 10+ year member]

are there different types of materials that vc's are made of and if so what are they? im gonna have to go look up what a neo motor is becuase im still pretty new to all this.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

chineese coils hold about half the power of usa coils. the motor has a big diff on the cooling too...

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

chineese coils hold about half the power of usa coils. the motor has a big diff on the cooling too...

I think this guy might know...

 

[kmanian 5,000+ posts]

This is a deep subject, that you will get a lot of opinions on rather than facts. sorting through those and finding fact rather than fiction is the challange.

I will add this, the coil is the source of heat, as it takes the current from the amplifier, it's ability to deal with the heat, and keep it's core function is really what dictates the power handling. the motors design and its ability to pass fresh cooler air through the gap is what allows the VC to keep it's functionallity during times of extreme temperature.

Keep in mind that over 80% of the energy that flows to your subs is lost as heat, and typically only about 10% is actually moving the sub.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

chineese coils hold about half the power of usa coils. the motor has a big diff on the cooling too...

theres a chance he might know a thing or 2 about this topic

 

[optimusprime 10+ year member]

so what would a good motor design look like? and also what would a bad design look like? and is there anyway to maybe modify a woofer so that it would have an easier time getting cooler air through the gap?

 

[kmanian 5,000+ posts]

buy a good quality sub from a company that knows their stuff, and you will be fine. I gave design a try, and there is so much more than meets the eye to it, that it is overwhelming! The chances of a novice like us modifying a sub, like a sundown, DD, AQ, hell Kicker for that matter and making it any better is slim to none, infact I think all that would happen is sucess at making a paperweight.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

This thread is gunna get really long lol... Good thread thou

 

[optimusprime 10+ year member]

hmmm... i would still like to know what is good and what is bad as far as design and material goes anyone have any clear examples or know of somewhere that i could find pictures of said examples?

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

there is ALOT of varibles. we will just break into american coils that have a higher thermal capacity because of better voice coil glue and higher grade materials used.

the motor; you want air flowing in the gap around the coil to cool it there is several ways to do this but the best i have seen is a small pole hole and backplate gap venting.

spiders; if ur spiderpack is really stiff ur not going to be moveing the cone alot and thus forcing air in the gap.

coils; copper handles heat a little better for long durations but alum discharges the heat quicker. the more layers and taller ww the more the coil will handle thermal. keep inmind a 3" 8 layer has alot more wire per ww than a 4" 4 layer. so if the motor has good cooling the 3" will handle more power even though the 4" has more surface area.

just tring to keep it simple //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[optimusprime 10+ year member]

see thats what im looking for. while i appreciate the great brand suggestions i appreciate a good break down more so that i can understand why something is better other than just becuase everyone else uses it and says its good. is there by chance a place that i can learn more information like this and maybe even more in depth?

 

[kmanian 5,000+ posts]

you have so may variations that serve different purposes. Over and under hung motors, alum. copper coils, lms, split, standard, 2,4 8 layer coils, different coil formers, Shorting rings, pole plugs, pole venting... and all have their own characteristics that when put in the right place with the right neighbors, will give a desirable result. But that result may be SQ to SPL.

Example, typically a LMS copper round wire coil of 2-3 inches with 2 soft spaced spiders and a heavy cone in an underhung tight gap motor would be a nice low FS sq sub, with moderate power handling. A Flat wound aluminum coil in an over hung motor, with a fatter gap with 5 medium to stiff spiders and a super light composite cone will typically give you a higher FS high power handling SPL sub.

Now that is super simplified, but you get the point. and there are so many variations and added items like motor strength... that it simply is a super open ended question. You would need to get pretty specific with your needs to get anything close to a real answer. IMO

Good luck though