We do a lot of work for individuals, but we also do commercial work for substantial companies.  Our commercial work and testing is more expensive than our rates for individuals, as we “take it to a higher level”, incurring more responsibilities, doing more intensive work, sometimes using more expensive equipment, creating more precise “setups”, calibrating more often, etc.   Individuals wanting an extremely high level of work done may also request “commercial work” if they wish. 

 Our basic rate for commercial / consulting work is $75 per hour.  We have estimated costs for various types of tests, below.  Keep in mind that we will adapt to our customers’ needs, as requested, which can affect costs (either higher or lower.)
 

Package 1:
 
T-S data as produced by the WT-Pro, at 2 levels, small signal (2 volt?), and “at power” (say, 100 watts, depending on the driver).  This includes a 10-12 hour break-in period at either full mechanical excursion* or at approx. Xmax, and an 8-10 hour recovery / stabilization period.  (These times and levels are recommended, but can be altered at customer request.  Longer break-ins are a little higher as our equipment is being tied up longer!)  Break-in times and details are noted in the report to the customer.  $100.00.
 
For additional power level parameter tests, add $20 ea. For small signal BL confirmation by “Direct BL” test, add $20.00.  (Very good cross-check.)
 
*The full mechanical excursion break-in is essentially where a woofer or woofer-mid is run to it’s mechanical limit:  By that I mean we push it to the point where it is audibly “getting into a little trouble” and then back off slightly.  Because the input level at which the driver begins to sound audibly distressed will decrease as the break-in continues (the suspension softens up), we will
readjust to keep the driver within it’s limits.  We check drivers during the break-in multiple times to achieve this, esp. in the 1st half hour, but in a few cases a suspension will suddenly “break down” and the driver will be damaged — in that case we have run a durability / mechanical reliability test (see below.)
 
 
Package 2:
 
As above, but with small signal parameters taken before and after break-in, one “at power” T-S data set* is taken after break-in.  $150.00.
*Note that parameters taken “at power” before a break-in are notoriously unstable / unreliable, so we usually skip that test.  It can be added for an additional $30.00 if desired, $20.00 for subsequent levels.
 
 
Package 3:
 
Frequency response (1/4 watt @ 1/2 meter, up to 5 axis, such as 0 deg., 15 deg., 30 deg., 45 deg, 60 deg. (60 deg. max.), plus near field LF curve spliced in to any one of these.  This can be done in our test baffle* or in a cabinet the customer supplies.  $100.00.
 
Add “free air” impedance curve:  $30.00.**
Add curves at higher powers (up to 250 watts for an 8-ohm driver, up to 350 watts for a 4-ohm driver, these can be gated or steady state curves). $30.00 ea.
 
*If in the test baffle, and a flush mount is desired, the driver must either fit a flush mount adaptor we already have, the customer can supply it, or we can make it at our usual labor rate.
 
**This may get a lot cheaper with LMS 5, if it will take the impedance curve simultaneously with the freq. resp. curve.
 
 
Package 4:
 
Distortion testing, $75 per hour, 1 hour minimum.
 
 
Package 5:
 
Reliability / durability testing (not quite the same as power testing):  Varies.  This might be as low as $50 in some cases, $75-$125 more typically, but can be a lot more in “intensive” cases requiring lengthy testing.
 
 
Package 6:
 
General evaluation, analyze for “weak areas” of performance, make recommendations for improvement, etc.:  This is another item that can vary a lot, depending on the depth of the study
/ evaluation, but, I’d say typically $75-$100 per driver, could be as low as $50 for a small driver “quickie” (minimum chg.), could be quite a bit more if in-depth / time intensive.
 
 
Package 7:
 
We also do speaker system tests / evaluation.  This tends to vary a lot from customer to customer, depending on the customer’s needs, so please contact us with your needs.
 
 
General note:  If shipment of an evaluated driver back to a customer is desired, it will be at our cost* + $20 for the 1st driver, $5 ea. for added drivers in the same shipment, to U.S. destinations.**  Sizeable cabinets, unusually large / heavy drivers, etc., will be more, as will units that arrive with damaged packaging, or that have unusual packing requirements.
*Usually FedEx Ground, as we get a good rate from them.  The ($20 helps cover our time to drive over to FedEx (or set up a pickup), repack items, set up shipments, and cover any handling, etc.)
**For International shipments, we will charge by the hour as usual to do the Customs paperwork.