@aniwolfe
6" is too large for a mid range. 4" is a good size. 3" is probably ideal. 2 inch is too small (not enough SPL at the low end of mid range)
This are well known facts to speaker designers due to beaming that comes from a driver at wavelengths similar to the diameter and our scientific understanding (since the 80’s) that broad even dispersion is desirable in a speaker. Put another way - uneven dispersion does not sound natural and wide dispersion sounds better than narrow dispersion.
Unfortunately 6 inch drivers are easier and cheaper to build and they have reasonable LF capability too (which a smaller mid range driver will not have) - so 6 inch is what many designers use - especially in two ways as it does the job for less cost. Often these trade-offs are played down by designers but the physics is clear about the limitations of overly large mid range drivers.
6" is too large for a mid range. 4" is a good size. 3" is probably ideal. 2 inch is too small (not enough SPL at the low end of mid range)
This are well known facts to speaker designers due to beaming that comes from a driver at wavelengths similar to the diameter and our scientific understanding (since the 80’s) that broad even dispersion is desirable in a speaker. Put another way - uneven dispersion does not sound natural and wide dispersion sounds better than narrow dispersion.
Unfortunately 6 inch drivers are easier and cheaper to build and they have reasonable LF capability too (which a smaller mid range driver will not have) - so 6 inch is what many designers use - especially in two ways as it does the job for less cost. Often these trade-offs are played down by designers but the physics is clear about the limitations of overly large mid range drivers.