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Hot on the heels of the Morel CAW634 is another 6″, this time from SB Acoustics. I purchased this SB17NRX2C35-4 in 2021, the same time as the CAW634. When I tested her out in 2-way designs, the results were the same as the Morel CAW634. Disappointing! I banished her to the shelf and there she stayed till now. To be fair, I’ve never tested this SB17 for bass duty. Frankly, I don’t know what to expect. On paper, her specs look promising. A Qts of 0.32, System Q of 0.59 and loaded in the same 13 liters bass reflex that was used for the Morel CAW634. Coincidentally, even the port tuning is the same.
Since my 10mH did the job with the Morel CAW634, I retained this iron core inductor. I see no reason to change to the 5.6mH that was used with the Dayton GF180-4 unless the integration with the HiVi C3N-III is off.
On first listening to this SB17NRX2C35-4, it is obvious the bass is distinctly different from the Morel CAW634. Her attack is slower, she is not as articulate but the bass notes are meatier. Her sonic signature reminds me of the vintage Scanspeak and Vifa. After a week of breaking-in, the SB17NRX showed her true colors. She is “fast”, dynamic and punchy. I played the usual tracks for testing bass and she is very close to the CAW634 and the Seas U18RNX. Where she beats them is her bass has more weight. Summary I am glad I decided to test this SB17RNX again. I’ve uncovered a gem. This driver cost only $71.00 but performs like drivers twice the cost. Of all the drivers in this price bracket, whether 6″ or 8″, this SB17RNX is right at the top. Unless otherwise stated, all measurements were made in Full Space (4pi). Mic at 36 ins, tweeter axis. Impulse Window=5ms. No smoothing applied. |
March 3, 2024HIFI DRIVERS, Projects
