Faital HF1460 Compression Driver – ES-600 Biradial Measurement Report

Faital HF1460 Compression Driver – ES-600 Biradial Measurement Report

Introduction

The Faital HF1460 is one of the newest flagship compression drivers in the FaitalPRO lineup, combining advanced materials and engineering to provide high SPL capability, low distortion, and excellent bandwidth. Verified features from the FaitalPRO website include:

• A carbon fiber dome diaphragm, which gives the driver high stiffness-to-weight ratio, helping with both frequency extension and distortion control. (FaitalPRO)

• A large 86 mm (3.4 in) voice coil that allows better power handling and thermal robustness. (FaitalPRO)

• A high-grade neodymium magnet assembly optimized via FEM (Finite Element Method), delivering outstanding magnetic induction (~2.2 Tesla) for efficiency and output. (FaitalPRO)

• A 4-slot annular phase plug, designed to control the acoustic wavefront for smoother high-frequency behavior and easier integration into horn or waveguide systems. (FaitalPRO)

• An aluminium body “built to last” — heat dissipation and durability were emphasized. (FaitalPRO)

These specs align nicely with what we observe in the measurements below.

Frequency Response

Here are the frequency response measurements taken with the HF1460 mounted on the ES-600 biradial horn, at distances of 1 meter (and with off-axis data).

Off-axis Response 0°, 15°, 30°, 45° (400 Hz – 20 kHz)

• The on-axis curve starts rising from about 400 Hz, which correlates with what one would expect given the horn’s cutoff and the driver’s diaphragm size.

• Between ~800 Hz and about 10 kHz, the response is flat to within a few dB. Given the carbon fiber dome and the 4-slot phase plug design as specified by Faital, the smoothness and high-frequency extension are very good.

• The roll-off beyond ~10–12 kHz is gradual rather than abrupt, suggesting clean diaphragm behavior and well-controlled wavefront (as claimed).

These measurements support Faital’s claim of “linear response throughout the specified frequency range,” especially for the mid to high frequencies. (FaitalPRO)

Time Domain: Burst Decay & Cumulative Spectral Decay (CSD)

Time-domain performance measurements, including burst decay and CSD, show how quickly the driver and horn settle after transient excitation.

Burst Decay (BD25)
Cumulative Spectral Decay (CSD)

• The Burst Decay plot shows fast decay in the 1-5 kHz range, indicating that there are no large lingering resonances in that region. That’s consistent with a good phase-plug design and diaphragm control.

• Above about 10 kHz, some modes do persist slightly longer, but at low amplitude, well below the primary harmonic content. The carbon fiber dome helps here, but every diaphragm has its limits.

• The CSD confirms that energy decays quickly across the band, with minimal “smearing.” This is excellent for clarity and transient fidelity in realistic listening or live sound scenarios.

Distortion Performance

These are some of the distortion / IMD / harmonic distortion measurements we ran (85 dB and 95 dB SPL at 1 m).

 

• Harmonic Distortion (D2, D3, D4) at 95 dB SPL

• SMPTE IMD (1 kHz + 10 kHz at 4:1, 95 dB SPL)

• Multitone IMD Spectra (85 dB and 95 dB SPL)

Key observations:

• Even at 95 dB SPL, harmonic distortion (especially 2nd and 3rd) stays below approx. 0.1% through much of the passband. That’s excellent, and supports Faital’s claim of “very low distortion levels” thanks to carbon fiber plus their magnet/phase plug design.

• The SMPTE IMD result of about 1.64% at 95 dB, while not zero, is quite reasonable for a driver operating at that level and with such wide bandwidth. It does increase at extremes, but stays within usable limits.

• The multitone IMD data likewise shows clean behavior: the noise floor is well controlled, and spurious components are relatively small.

Raw Response & Impedance

Raw 1 m Response + Impedance Curve

• We see the fundamental resonance (or pronounced rise) at around 400 Hz, which is tied to the horn’s cutoff and the mechanical resonance of the driver assembly.

• Above that, the impedance steadies out, with no extreme peaks.
  

Confirmed vs Measured: Spec Verification

Putting together the official specs and our data:

Listening Impressions (Inferred from Data)

From the measurements (backed by verified specifications), the HF1460 can be expected to deliver:

• Very clean, neutral sound with high-frequency detail intact.

• Excellent transient response, with minimal “ringing” or coloration from resonances.

• Good dynamic capabilities; high SPLs should be possible with modest distortion.

• Reliable performance even off-axis, making it suitable for more forgiving placement or broader listening zones.

Conclusion

The Faital HF1460, as per both its published specifications and our measurements with the ES-600 biradial horn, lives up to many of its promises:

• Carbon fiber dome + large voice coil + strong neodymium motor = excellent output with control.

• 4-slot phase plug and well-designed horn lead to flat frequency response, clean dispersion, and good extension.

• Distortion and time-domain behavior are very strong, especially in the critical mid-high frequency range.

If you’re designing a high-performance horn-loaded system—whether for studio, premium audio, or even live applications—the HF1460 is a compelling choice.