Destroying ones hearing without knowing it !

[ashok]

I have a friend who has been buying bigger and bigger bass drivers ( including Bagend speakers) to get that 'kicked in the stomach' feeling when watching 'action' movies.
The Bagend's died ! Then they got one ( or two ? ) Eminence Kilomax Pro 18's placed in large ducted cabinets. Now the coil of the driver has ripped off the cone assembly ! I only know that estimated Xmax achieved was close to 20mm in normal use. Sub-sonic frequencies of course( movie sound tracks!).

Would it be safe to conclude that their hearing is on the way out ?

[JoeDJ]

Absolutly!
One never knows that they are destroying their hearing until it's too late and the damage is done.

[ashok]

I was afraid it would be so !
I have actually told them about it but it was laughed off like a joke. Now I hear they have repaired the Kilomax and are planning to buy ANOTHER driver with larger Xmax to get down to higher intensity subsonic frequencies. Why ? So that bomb explosions and similar sounds can be FELT better !
This might lead to long term capability of just feeling sound as the hearing might no longer be there.

[kipman725]

depends on their EQ. If equalised flat then yes however I doubt they are and the human hearing can withstand greater spl at lower frequancies. I usualy run increasing from flat at 80Hz to +10dB at 20Hz. looking at wikipedia hearing damage thresholds are specified as A weighted therfore if 75dBA average level is ok to listen to a film at 80Hz 95dB is ok and by the time your down to 10Hz 125dB which is a suitably subwoofer destroying level. I recomend your freind gets some subsonic filtering to stop the over excursion!

[ashok]

Originally Posted by kipman725

.....I recomend your freind gets some subsonic filtering to stop the over excursion!

They have all that. Fairly comprehensive equaliser and filter modules. But when I suggested using an infasonic filter to protect the drivers , there was no interest ! It cuts off the very low end that they want.

If I am not mistaken they were looking at large ( 15 or 18 inch ) drivers that can do over an inch of Xmax with low Fs. I saw the 24 inch square MTX Jackhammer at $9,000/- +
Weighing 365 lb's !!

[SoNic_real_one]

Originally Posted by ashok

Now I hear they have repaired the Kilomax and are planning to buy ANOTHER driver with larger Xmax to get down to higher intensity subsonic frequencies. Why ? So that bomb explosions and similar sounds can be FELT better !

I wonder what are their neighbors saying?
Show them this:
http://www.thebuttkicker.com/home_theater/index.htm
PS: There are lots of stupid people out there. Don't worry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZRy9VaApcw

[ashok]

They live outside the big city. Lots of open land and no houses too near. In any case neighbours will not complain , they are big shots !

Wonder if that girl didn't have permanent hearing damage ? It's the US ! A million dollar lawsuit ?

[SoNic_real_one]

She is not singular, it's like a sport for retarded rednecks, wiggers and trailer trash chicks with long hair and short brains.
As for lawsuit - only if a big company (big money) asks you to do that as part of your work contract. OSA regulations.
If you are stupid and kill your ears willingly...

[Alvis]

That device called "thebuttkicker" actually has merit.

I used to have a subwoofer pointed at the back of my lazy-boy, it works very well.
It works even better if the box is in contact with the chair.

It's a great way to "feel" the bass, even with lower power levels.

The couch is a great spot to hide a woofer enclosure.

[aptquark]

If a wife cant ruin your hearing..nothing will. OR...if your loudspeakers levels have made you deaf...then you have succeded where married man has failed.