Peerless covers a wide range, from entry-level tweeters to long-throw subwoofers. The HDS family (High Definition Series) is the one most used in amateur builds, with three cone variants: Nomex, twin-layer polypropylene and aluminium.
The XLS and XXLS are very-long-excursion bass drivers intended for small sealed enclosures. Their low Qts calls for equalisation or a tightly controlled volume: put them in an over-generous reflex box and the point of them is lost.
The older SLS series is still valued for higher-sensitivity projects, particularly large two-way designs.
Choosing between Nomex, polypropylene and aluminium comes down to the top end. Aluminium extends higher but has a pronounced cone resonance that must be filtered firmly. Nomex and polypropylene roll off more gently and forgive an approximate crossover.
Ranges
| Series | Tweeters |
|---|---|
| HDS Exclusive | |
| HDS PPB | |
| HDS Nomex | |
| SLS | |
| XLS | |
| XXLS |
In practice
HDS drivers appear in more published designs than anything else in this catalogue, which makes them a safe first purchase: whatever enclosure you intend, someone has measured a similar one and written it up.
The XLS and XXLS are a different proposition. Their very low Qts means the response in a passive box rolls off early; they are intended to be corrected electrically. Treating one as a drop-in woofer for a conventional reflex cabinet wastes most of what it can do.
HDS and XLS families
| HDS Nomex | Nomex cone | Gentle breakup | Two-way friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDS PPB | Twin-layer PP | Well damped | Forgiving filter |
| HDS Exclusive | Aluminium | Extends higher | Needs firm filtering |
| SLS | Paper | Higher sensitivity | Large two-way |
| XLS / XXLS | Long throw | Low Qts | Sealed, EQ assumed |