Tang Band W6-1916
With a special thanks to Peter Haralanov for submitting this driver for a tests.
Tang Band W6-1916 is a first generation of the highest grade fullrange line from this manufacturer with five various sizes from 3 to 8 inches.
The most impressive detail of the speaker at the first look
is the sophisticated phase plug.
The close view show, that it consists of two parts. The part
in the back is milled of solid aluminum alloy. At the front of
it there is a diffuser, made in a manner of the microphones. It
appears to be made of solid copper.
The manufacturer did not provide detailed information of its
purpose and way of work. I assumed it was specially designed for
better off-axis radiation.
The measurements below will show
the effect of this innovation...
This kind of surround we usually associate with car audio
woofers.
Maybe the purpose of the shape is to increase the acoustic loss
of the surround itself.
The material is santoprene, which delivers long-term aging
durability combined with dimensional stability and physical
properties over the life of the part.
The magnet system consists of nine cylindrical neodymium
magnets.
The pole pieces are accurately milled and anodized in black.
The area in the back of the spider is protected from incursion of the magnetic pill
by a grill, stamped of a steel sheet.
The back surface of the cone shows the structure of the cone,
which includes bamboo fibers.
This is the manufacturer's brochure of the Tang Band W6-1916
My Measurements
| Driver Properties | Thiele - Small Parameters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis material | Aluminum alloy | Parameter | Measured | Datasheet | |
| Membrane material | Bamboo fiber paper | Fs | 59.1 Hz | 60 Hz | |
| Magnet System | Neodymium | Re | 5.0 Ω | 6.8 Ω | |
| Surround | Santoprene | Qms | 1.36 | 1.82 | |
| Voice Coil Diameter | 38.5 mm | Qes | 0.55 | 0.62 | |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω | Qts | 0.39 | 0.46 | |
| Sensitivity | 91 dB/W/m | Vas | 16.8 ltr | 23.7 ltr | |
| Rated Power | 30W | Le | 0.02 mH | 0.016 mH | |
The frequency response at 1m with 2.83 V input RED - on axis, BLUE - 15 º off axis, GREEN - 30 º off axis
The on-axis graph is smooth enough, but the deviation even at 15 º
off axis is significant.
The directivity pattern shows figures, that cannot be seen often. At each different angle from axis the graphs show completely different
behavior of the driver.
I did not investigate the reason, but I suspect the too much
sophisticated phase plug.
The second, third and fourth harmonic curves measured at 0.89V, 2.83V and 8.9V input RMS.
Burst decay response, measured at 1m on axis
The impedance curve in 18 ltr. sealed box
Conclusion
Despite the bad off-axis response, the overall performance of the Tang Band W6-1916 is very good. The sound of this driver is rich and vivid, with right tonal balance. Some experiments with the phase plug of different shape will be welcome.
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