[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference hips::uk_audioo

Title:You get surface noise in real life too
Notice:Let's be conformist
Moderator:GOVT02::BARKER
Created:Thu Jul 28 1988
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:550
Total number of notes:3847

455.0. "Bandor metal drivers?" by RDGENG::FRY () Mon Oct 25 1993 13:44

I'm planning to get an "anodised spun aluminium coned driver" from
Bandor.  For the record, their coordinates are:

            Bandor
            Design and Development Studio
            11 Penfold Cottages
            Penfold Lane
            Holmer Green
            Bucks HP15 6XR  United Kingdom

            Tel/Fax (0494) 714058

Anyway, from a couple of trade sources, it seems there is no other retail
source for metal drivers.  JPW, Monitor Audio, Acoustic Energe and maybe
other manufacturers use them, but they're proprietary not normally for
sale.

My question is... has anybody else dealt with Bandor and what about quality
of the product?  My impression is it looks good, but just wondered...

I'm going for a 100mm cone, single-wound, 8 ohms, to be used as mid/bass
unit on a 2-way ported enclosure.  They also have a double-wound one, but
for some reason the lady said it didn't chuck out at much mid-range as
would be desirable in my configuration.

If anyone actually has a Bandor component in the Reading/Newbury/Basingstoke
area, please let me know if I can come see/hear it.

Thanks!  Brent.

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
455.1LARVAE::IVES_JOne i-node short of a file systemMon Oct 25 1993 15:1830
    bandor have always fascinated me. Unlike the other makes you mention,
    Bandor are metal cone rather than metal dome drivers. They (she
    actually it's Doreen Jordan who actually makes them) claim to have a
    good frequency response. 
    
    At a HiFi show a year or so ago I heard the Pentacolumn speakers which
    use two 4" bandor units in series for the top and midrange. They dont
    need a X-over. This model then used an active bass unit for the bottom
    end but the same supplier makes a minature which is simply two 4"
    bandor units in a (very) solid enclosure, wired in series.
    
    I'd love to know the links between or these Jordans. to my knowledge
    there's :-
    
    Doreen Jordan (Bandor)
    
    Jordan Watts (hackney, east London make expensive metal cone speakers.
    Have that wacky model built into a ceramic vase)
    
    E. H Jordan ( as jordan watts but with an address somewhere in Suffolk
    I think)
    
    They all seem to use the same (or similar) units. Guess it's just
    diversification.
    
    It would certainly appear that you could build a speaker with a very
    simple cross over (if indeed you needed one at all)
    
    Good Luck
    
455.2s p a c e yRDGENG::FRYTue Oct 26 1993 21:1615
I got a bundle of tech material from Bandor the next day, and have ordered
two 100mm drivers at 80 pounds *each*.  Still, from the technical information
they appear to be very good, and "fast".

Can't help you much with the Jordan mystery.

The lady on the phone (this is a *real* cottage industry!) was, I think,
Doreen, and she was really  s p a c e d  o u t .  Both times I called.

They don't take Mastercard, etc., so I'll send a check.  Delivery times are
unknown, because of ...mumble... small quantities and supplier limitations.

We'll see how it goes.

455.3Bandor highly recommendedRDGENG::FRYMon Dec 13 1993 10:5324
OK, for closure, here's what happened.

I got my drivers a few days ago, got out the jigsaw, etc., and installed them
in my enclosures.  The result is absolutely staggering.  These must be some
of the best drivers made.

For the record, I got the 100mm single-wound 8 ohms jobs with the 'B'
(probably means BIG) magnet.  The driver weighs in at about 3 kilos, double
that of the Celection driver they replaced.

I'm using it as a mid/bass driver, and these are FAST drivers.  Clarity,
pace, etc., are effortlessly delivered.  They also go louder than I expected,
but it's not necessary.

So, if you're non-conformist enough to try them, I don't think you could
go far wrong dealing with Bandor.  It's just their unpredictable lead-times
which might cause a problem, and then there's the price, but it's worth it!

(Doreen scribbled me a note apologizing for the delay in shipping.)  I'm gonna
ring her up and say how pleased I am.

Brent

455.4NEARBSS::GRIESANWed Jun 15 1994 01:307
    Hey,
    
    	Just for fun, NEAR (New England Audio Resource) here in the States
    makes and sells metal drivers, and they use them in their own speaker
    designs.  Excellent in my opinion!
    
    Later, Tom