Is the woofer on the back of the cabinet a good solution ?

[angeloitacare]

hi all

Kaiser acoustics places the woofers of their speakers on the back of the cabinets.

KAISER acoustics. High definition acoustic products. Kawero

Some other manufacturers do the same. What is the reason for this positioning, and what kind of advantage should that bring ?

Angelo

[J.R.Freeman]

Mostly I suspect the effect they are after is aesthetic. It could be a way to keep LF inter-modulation down, but it's more likely about hiding the big LF drivers.

As an aside, that looks like a rather marketing-intensive site at first glance. They mention the Audio Technology drivers are 'proprietary' which is kind of funny, as AT lets you custom order specs as I understand it. Separate enclosure for the HF driver, with a nice big intentional interconnect out in the open for all to see, is probably touted as 'better' in some way. At least as it is separate it will make it easier to throw away that ribbon and replace it with a proper dome! :P

edit: update - specs include 'reflex loaded midrange' and extension to 60 KHz!! hehe

[PeteMcK]

Troels does it here, perhaps to give the drivers the correct offset in the pipe?
DTQWT

[Pano]

If you're throwing away RAAL ribbons, please throw my way!

[planet10]

Michael,

I'll arm wrestle you for them... i've no fan of convex domes, the ribbons i've heard are quiter good, love to get my hands on a set of Raals.

dave

[planet10]

On the subject of drivers on the back, they will interact with the room differently than if on the front. More room gain, and attenuation of HF. It is a design choice.

Verity configures their loudspeakers this way, but allow you to flip them around to be front facing if that suits the room better.

Bottom firing has similar tradeoffs, myself i am partial to side mount.

dave