Author Topic: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker  (Read 3643 times)

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Sumner

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #15 on: April 05, 2025, 09:59:47 AM »
+1
  Also, I have found OWS speakers to be really good for efficiency, and they are about a dollar each in 4 or 5 sizes for N scale use.

Care to share any links of the ones you like? 

I use the following one and just like how it sounds to 'my ears' vs. other ones I've tried but I know nothing about audio and don't know how to read the specs.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-091630LA-8B/13683680

https://products.owolff.com/acoustics/find-speakers-(print)-/@2069/OWS-091630LA-8B?output=pdf&delay=3000&recordid316=2069


What are the key things you guys are looking at in the specs?

I've also used the following in a couple of projects and like it even though to me the specs don't look that great.  Again I just sounds good to me but also have it in some big enclosures.  I'll put it in some of the larger locos I'll convert to DCC and see then how I like it to the 9x16 above.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/soberton-inc/SP-2509/8600816

Sumner
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jdcolombo

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2025, 04:39:49 PM »
+4
Hi everyone.

So it turns out that the PUI 6x12mm speaker, available now from Digikey, is basically exactly the same as the one from Mouser that is still on backorder.
I just got an order of 10 of the Digikey ones, and installed one in a VO-1000 chassis I'm working on.  They look and sound identical to the Mouser ones I had before.

Digikey link:
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/pui-audio-inc/AR01232MS-SC12-WP-R/8021810

John C.

Sumner

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #17 on: April 09, 2025, 06:08:14 PM »
+1
Hi everyone.

So it turns out that the PUI 6x12mm speaker, available now from Digikey, is basically exactly the same as the one from Mouser that is still on backorder.
I just got an order of 10 of the Digikey ones, and installed one in a VO-1000 chassis I'm working on.  They look and sound identical to the Mouser ones I had before.

Digikey link:
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/pui-audio-inc/AR01232MS-SC12-WP-R/8021810

John C.

Thanks, ordered 10.  I'll look forward to trying them as I haven't been happy with the 8x12's I've gotten before.

Sumner
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reinhardtjh

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #19 on: April 09, 2025, 10:17:46 PM »
+1
Hi everyone.

So it turns out that the PUI 6x12mm speaker, available now from Digikey, is basically exactly the same as the one from Mouser that is still on backorder.
I just got an order of 10 of the Digikey ones, and installed one in a VO-1000 chassis I'm working on.  They look and sound identical to the Mouser ones I had before.

Digikey link:
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/pui-audio-inc/AR01232MS-SC12-WP-R/8021810

John C.

Now in stock at Mouser as well.  https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/PUI-Audio/AR01232MS-SC12-WP-R?qs=W0yvOO0ixfH4pdpvca6gDQ%3D%3D
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GGNInNScale

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #20 on: April 13, 2025, 08:59:54 PM »
0
Care to share any links of the ones you like? 

I use the following one and just like how it sounds to 'my ears' vs. other ones I've tried but I know nothing about audio and don't know how to read the specs.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-091630LA-8B/13683680

https://products.owolff.com/acoustics/find-speakers-(print)-/@2069/OWS-091630LA-8B?output=pdf&delay=3000&recordid316=2069


I use the 8x15mm, 9x16mm and 11x15mm 8 Ohm Ole Wolff (OWS) speakers- depends on the engine and space available.  I have 45 units with ESU LokSound 5, and various OWS speakers.  I have bought parts from DigiKey for at least 20 years (I forget...)   The OWS speakers put out a good sound level when matched to the "largest" back case that will fit in your model.  I have a lot of backcase designs for different Atlas/Kato/Arnold/ConCor and FVM diesels on TinkerCad.  They are open for use by all.

What are the key things you guys are looking at in the specs?- 
Size first, then impedance (8Ohms), then efficiency (the number like, say, "90dB", or "93dB" or whatever the speaker rating.  In this case, a higher value is better (louder), but this can be affected strongly by the backcase volume and design, so I only use it as a guide.   I used to make replicas of Klipschorns when I was younger- I think they are still the most efficient loudspeakers made.

I've also used the following in a couple of projects and like it even though to me the specs don't look that great.  Again I just sounds good to me but also have it in some big enclosures.  I'll put it in some of the larger locos I'll convert to DCC and see then how I like it to the 9x16 above.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/soberton-inc/SP-2509/8600816

Sumner

GGNInNScale

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #21 on: April 25, 2025, 05:55:03 PM »
0
While a 32-ohm speaker indeed will sound quieter at the same output voltage level than an 8-ohm speaker, if the amplifier is capable of supplying sufficient drive voltage to the 32-ohm speaker, you can simply "turn up the volume" to make the 32-ohm speaker louder.  Yes, the 8-ohm speaker would sound louder at that same level, but at some point you reach the speaker's input voltage limit before distortion or blowing up the voice coil.  Or (more likely), you get to the point where it's loud enough, and any more would be overkill.  It's not just a matter of speaker impedance; it's also a matter of amplifier capability, the speaker's maximum input voltage before distortion, and what SPL you want out of it.  And higher-impedance speakers actually are an easier load for many amplifiers because the current requirements for driving the speaker are more modest than for lower-impedance speakers.  Magnepan planar speakers (4-ohm load) require an amplifier capable of a lot of current output to get SPL's that equal 8-ohm cone speakers.  Again, it's Ohm's law: I=V/R, so if you need 20v at 4 ohms, that's 5 amps of current, but 20v at 8 ohms is 2.5 amps.   I remember many years ago the Apogee planar speakers that were a 2-ohm load, and dealers demo-ed them with massive Krell solid state amps that could probably have moonlighted as welding equipment (though my McIntosh MC312 will swing 60 amps, so I guess I shouldn't complain).  This is why some very early sound decoders (e.g., the LokSound V3) specified 100-ohm speakers - the micro-sized audio amplifiers of the day simply weren't up to the current delivery required for an 8-ohm speaker.  They could supply adequate voltage swing at 100 ohms, but not at 32 or 16 or 8 or 4 ohms.  But the amp's circuitry has to be designed for stable output at high impedances, too.

In the end, the only question is whether the decoder's audio amplifier is capable of driving whatever speaker you choose to a volume level that is "loud enough".  The F7 install that I just finished using a 32-ohm 6x12mm ended up with the master output volume level at 140, which is about 2/3 of the maximum value for the LokSound 5.  And it certainly is loud enough for my basement layout room, which is 14' x 32' with a 7 1/2' high drop tile ceiling.  In fact, not sure how much louder I could drive it without causing serious distortion in the midrange, and it might be (probably is) TOO loud for normal operations.  We'll see what my friend says when he picks it up, but I don't think he's going to want it any louder.

John C.

Saw your note on the Krell... OMG.  My old friend had one fail.  He brought it to me to repair.  Serious component and wiring nightmare!  I told him I could build an amp that would not be a space heater, but would outperform the Krell, and be much quieter at idle.  Unfortunately, he did not believe in COVID vaccines, and passed away before I could act on his request.  Sadly.

peteski

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #22 on: April 27, 2025, 01:13:01 AM »
+1
. . .
 This is why some very early sound decoders (e.g., the LokSound V3) specified 100-ohm speakers - the micro-sized audio amplifiers of the day simply weren't up to the current delivery required for an 8-ohm speaker.  They could supply adequate voltage swing at 100 ohms, but not at 32 or 16 or 8 or 4 ohms.  But the amp's circuitry has to be designed for stable output at high impedances, too.

That's because the audio amps used in contemporary decoders are Class D amps ("D" stands for "digital" as in PWM-based audio amps). Basically they drive the speaker (which is an inductor) same way the decoder drives the motor (also an inductor).  Using Pulse Width Modulation the output power transistors work like switches (either on or off), they can supply plenty of current without generating a lot of heat like the standard analog audio amps did (those had to dissipate a lot of power as heat).  Class D amps (again due to how they work) can handle wide range of load impedance.  Analog amps generally are much more affected by the load (speaker) impedance so they work best with much narrower range of the speaker's impedance.

I have some MRC decoders where they used the old-school LM386 analog amp. I think some older BLI Paragon decoders use analog audio amps.
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GGNInNScale

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #23 on: May 01, 2025, 04:33:09 PM »
0
Saw Peteski's note on the LM386... I was at National Semi in CA when we first made the '386... :facepalm:

Point353

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #24 on: May 01, 2025, 06:11:16 PM »
0

peteski

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #25 on: May 01, 2025, 06:37:23 PM »
0
Saw Peteski's note on the LM386... I was at National Semi in CA when we first made the '386... :facepalm:

Hey, that's pretty neat!  You're part of the history. When was that? Around early '70s?
Some years in the past I've used those in several of my electronic projects (back then I used to buy them at Radio Shack).

It is quite interesting with the varied background of model railroaders. From rocket scientists to sanitation engineers.  :D
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GGNInNScale

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #26 on: May 03, 2025, 12:59:44 PM »
+1
Hi Peteski   Yep, NSM 1974-75, then went to MIT for grad school.  I kept track of my old boss for decades- great training ground back in the day.  A couple of the "old" guys mentored me so I learned a lot.
On the speaker topic- the line up of OWS speakers at Digikey has changed a bit.  There are a lot in stock, but prices are up about 40-50 cents each since January...

GGNInNScale

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #27 on: May 14, 2025, 07:29:12 PM »
+1
Care to share any links of the ones you like? 

I use the following one and just like how it sounds to 'my ears' vs. other ones I've tried but I know nothing about audio and don't know how to read the specs.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-091630LA-8B/13683680

https://products.owolff.com/acoustics/find-speakers-(print)-/@2069/OWS-091630LA-8B?output=pdf&delay=3000&recordid316=2069


What are the key things you guys are looking at in the specs?

I've also used the following in a couple of projects and like it even though to me the specs don't look that great.  Again I just sounds good to me but also have it in some big enclosures.  I'll put it in some of the larger locos I'll convert to DCC and see then how I like it to the 9x16 above.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/soberton-inc/SP-2509/8600816

Sumner

Hi Sumner
These are the ones I use:
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-091630LA-8B/13683680
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-111535TA-8A/13683708
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-121733TA-8/16343858

They are not listing the 8x15mm units, not sure why.  I do have a few in my stash, I think.
The 11x15s fit perfectly across a Kato F3 type frame.  8x15 and 9x16 I use in narrow body diesels of various makes.   The 12x17s I will try to use in my new Kato FEF-3 tender.
I like the sound they produce.  I have tossed several OEM speakers because they sounded "tinnier" or had poorly designed backcases.
I have a whole bunch of backcase designs in TinkerCad, open to the public.  Several are model-specific to add the maximum back-volume.
Take care, GGN

peteski

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #28 on: May 15, 2025, 10:08:50 AM »
0
I have tossed several OEM speakers because they sounded "tinnier" or had poorly designed backcases.

I suspect that the factory speakers are of similar quality as the ones you replacing them with, but they have either no, or very poor enclosure. If you  added good enclosures forthose  factory-installed speakers, they would sound similar to the ones you're replacing them with.
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Sumner

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Re: Where to get 8mmx12mm speaker
« Reply #29 on: May 15, 2025, 10:12:36 AM »
0
....
These are the ones I use:
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-091630LA-8B/13683680
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-111535TA-8A/13683708
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/ole-wolff-electronics-inc/OWS-121733TA-8/16343858
.........

Thanks, that 9x16 is my go-to speaker and really like it.  I have the 8x15 but haven't used it.  The other two I don't have but will keep them in mind if I have an install where they would work.

Someone on here mentioned a 9x25 (CMS-250903-18SP-X8)  and I ordered a few and like them but so far only used them with a really large enclosure in my HandCab-DC...


.... I'm going to try one of these in a GE U50 and maybe if I like it a couple larger engines.  In the video the speaker in the boxcar is the 9x16 that you linked to.

I know next to nothing about reading the specs but from what little I've picked up on here thought they weren't great but still liked the sound.  John posted info on the frequency response curve and from what he said maybe these aren't so bad in the low freqences as they look pretty good down to 600 or so.  Am I reading and interpreting this right?

https://www.sameskydevices.com/product/resource/cms-250903-18sp-x8.pdf

Sumner
« Last Edit: May 15, 2025, 10:14:46 AM by Sumner »
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