Hyrbid Audio L3

**Megalomaniac** · 10-09-2007, 11:24 PM

Have you ever had the opportunity to play with an HA L3? Do you know anything about them? I was reading around and there are mixed reviews. some say they are absolutely an SQ delight while others say it sounds completely "unnatural".

http://hybrid-audio.com/legatia_individual_drivers.htm

~mir ali~

**durwood** · 10-10-2007, 02:44 PM

I've got a pair as well as many other 3" drivers laying around (at least 10 pairs). I have my test boxes ready but just haven't found the time to really put them head to head against other options.

They are supposed to excel in an Infinite baffle type situation, but in a closed box they are on par with alot of other much more inexpensive 3's.

A popular favorite that rivals the L3 is the Vifa/Peerless TG9 and at a much cheaper price tag. I just listened to them yesterday and I know why everyone likes the TG9.

Some reviews (note one of these threads is the only thread to ever be locked at DIYMA)

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...ighlight=trius

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...ighlight=trius

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...ighlight=trius

**Megalomaniac** · 10-10-2007, 11:53 PM

i cant seem to find the tg9 anywhere for sale....how much do they run for a set?

**durwood** · 10-11-2007, 07:55 AM

You can get them at many places. I can honestly say, if you keep these on axis or just a wee bit off axis, I really wouldn't see too much of a problem running them without tweeters. You lose a tad bit of the upper tippty top (>15Khz) but it's really hard to tell. They sound very realistic and the detail it delivers is probably better than all of the 3's I own. These are slightly large than most of the other 3's because they are really 3.5".

~$30ea or $60 a pair.

http://www.timbre-audio.com/peerlessvline.html (c0mpl3x or comp3lx over at DIYMA)

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/pro...oducts_id=1616

I'm currently trying to figure out how to replace my current hivi 3's with these, but it's going to take a little grinding action to the outer mounting tabs to fit them in my current location.

They are 98mm in diamter and I can't have them any larger than 95mm. Oh well, that's what tools are for.

**Megalomaniac** · 10-11-2007, 09:56 AM

i think thats crazy a $60 set can outperform a $300 set. just goes to show quality doesnt have to be expensive.

**durwood** · 10-11-2007, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Megalomaniac

i think thats crazy a $60 set can outperform a $300 set. just goes to show quality doesnt have to be expensive.

exactly. but I believe the L3's are around $220-250 brand new? You can find used sets for around $175.

You have to remember though, Scott built these and I'm sure the quantities he has produced are much lower than the vifa and that will play a part. The Vifa/peerless drivers are also OEM DIY drivers so there is no fancy packaging, no marketing to create a higher cost.

The vifa's basket is make of some plastic material and is somewhat flexible. The L3's are use a cast aluminum basket. Plus as you can see from those pictures, the L3 also has a polished chrome rear backplate for something you will never ever see. I'm sure that is also an unnecesary cost.

I've met Scott and he knows what he is talking about, but it all comes down to personal preference as noted in npdangs final words.

It's very easy to see that the Trius has significantly lower non-linear distortion than the Legatia. Second and third order distortion were generally at least -15db lower, and fourth order and higher products much lower as well. The tests were taken at about 96dbspl @1m. A fairly difficult level for such small drivers to produce full range.

Listening to a variety of tracks, I felt that vocals and saxaphone on the Legatia were heavy, congested, and when pushed hard the driver strained badly as compared to the Trius (although both drivers didn't offer near the dynamic capability and effortless reproduction of even a 4.5" driver). The Trius on the otherhand was very open, sweet, and more realistic sounding.

Keep in mind that the Legatia doesn't sound outright bad, like some Hi-Vi's I've tested in the past. Some people may even prefer the warmer, full bodied, huskier sound. In many ways it reminds me of the old Vifa classic drivers, with better top end extension.

**Megalomaniac** · 10-11-2007, 10:35 AM

I came across this photo, looks like there is plenty. $250? well when I emailed Scott a while ago he gave me $250 as a sale price and that the price would hike up again...

Keep in mind that the Legatia doesn't sound outright bad, like some Hi-Vi's I've tested in the past.

btw arent you running Hivi?