BEYMA WL4
BEYMA WL4 — 0.8" / 0.8 inch · Compression Driver with Waveguide · Tweeter / HF Driver
40 W AES - 5 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-KW-BEY-0001
Documents
BEYMA WL4 — 0.8" · Compression Driver mit Waveguide
40 W AES
Technical data
- Diameter: 0.8 "
- Power handling: 40 W AES
- Impedance: 5 Ω
Series: WL · Part no.: 42A-CHS-KW-BEY-0001
Beyma WL4: 0.8" compression driver with waveguide and 700 Hz resonance frequency
The Beyma WL4 is the base version of the WL series: a compression driver with a 0.8" throat and a dedicated waveguide, 40 W AES power handling, 5 Ω nominal impedance and a resonance frequency of 700 Hz. The principle behind the series: driver and waveguide form a matched unit, so directivity is defined at the factory rather than by the choice of horn.
What stands out is the low resonance frequency for such a small throat. 700 Hz implies a compliant diaphragm suspension that can work further down than many 1" drivers with a screw-on throat. The flip side: 40 W AES is a demand on the crossover, not on the amplifier – the power handling is that of a tweeter for studio near-field, home use and small monitors, not of a touring cabinet. Within that frame, the WL4 offers a combination that is rare among compression drivers: a small throat for wide, even treble dispersion, and an Fs that permits a relatively low crossover to a 6" mid-bass driver.
Use and enclosure
Crossover frequency: at least one octave above the 700 Hz Fs, which lands in the region where a 6" woofer starts to beam anyway – a good match of directivity patterns. Because power handling is limited to 40 W AES, cross over steeply (24 dB/octave) and set a peak limiter if the WL4 hangs on a powerful amplifier. Active 2-way designs with DSP are the natural choice here, since they handle crossover, limiter and time alignment to the woofer in one device.
The 5 Ω nominal impedance is harmless for any 4 Ω-capable amplifier, but it must go into the calculation of a passive crossover. The integrated waveguide mounts directly into the baffle; no further horn is intended. For higher power handling at the same throat size and the same Fs, the WL series offers the WL4Fe/N with a ferrite magnet; the overview of all Beyma compression drivers and horns lives in the driver database on 42.audio.
What to look out for
- 40 W AES: use a steep crossover and a limiter with powerful amplifiers
- Fs 700 Hz: lower crossover possible than with many 1" drivers
- 5 Ω: run from 4 Ω-capable amplifiers, include it in a passive crossover
- Waveguide permanently integrated – mounts straight into the baffle
Frequently asked questions
Which cabinets is the WL4 meant for?
Compact 2-way designs with a small mid-bass driver: near-field monitors, home speakers with a horn tweeter, small columns. Anywhere 40 W AES is enough treble power handling and the shallow waveguide keeps the cabinet depth down.
How low can I cross over the WL4?
The rule of thumb is one octave above Fs, so above 700 Hz with a steep slope. Getting closer to resonance only makes sense with an active crossover and a limiter, otherwise the diaphragm suffers on peaks.
What separates the WL4 from the WL4Fe/N?
Same throat, same nominal impedance, same resonance frequency. The WL4Fe/N has a ferrite magnet and higher power handling; which one fits better depends on the level you need. The detailed figures for both are in the driver database.
At 42.audio you get the BEYMA WL4 with all key data in the driver database. More drivers from this manufacturer: Atlas Beyma.
Thiele-Small parameters
| Nominal impedance | 5 Ω |
|---|---|
| Resonance frequency fs | 700 Hz |
| Equivalent volume Vas | 1.1 l |
Specifications
| Allgemein | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BEYMA |
| Category | Compression Driver + Waveguide |
| Series | WL |
| Impedance (Ω) | 5 |
| Power handling (W) | 40 |
| Abmessungen & Korb | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 0.8 |
| Thiele-Small-Parameter | |
|---|---|
| Fs (Hz) | 700 |