Many small vs. single large woofer - what gives the greatest dynamics?

[Defo]

I need some help to determine what bass solution to match with a 340hz mid-horn. I want quick, tight bass with alot of slam! Modest sized sealed enclosure. Dont like BR.

That provides the question; several small or one large woofer?

Pros and cons - several woofers:

- Higher WAF
- Better transient response?
- Lower power handling?

Pros and cons - one large woofer:

- More slam?
- Mates better with the horn dispersion wise.

The drivers I have looked at is one Seas Excel W26 nextel version, one Seas A26RE4 or two Seas CA22RNX or three Seas ER18RNX.

Any thoughts? What would give the greates dynamics?

[InclinedPlane]

I share your desires.

I use 15" woofers, but you'll find as many opinions as there are speakers.

[Pano]

Ditto. Opinions are like speakers, everybody has at least 2.

I would say surface area is surface area. But I may be wrong....

[Moondog55]

Optimal bass driver size for sound quality - is bigger really better?

[Pancakes]

More magnets = more heat dispersion and less thermal compression.

You could probably claim a blanket rule for each alignment, one bass speaker v.s many but if it was my money I'd start modelling units that are available at a reasonable price, any boxes of 6's or 8's going locally for you v.s cost of a higher power long throw 15

[ScottG]

Originally Posted by Defo

Any thoughts? What would give the greates dynamics?

Actually, yes.

With pretty much everything you want.

To the best of my knowledge there is no other speaker quite like this one:

Eminence - The Art and Science of Sound

Use 4 of them in a 4 square config. with a seperate enclosure volume for each of about 1.8 cubic feet. (..8 ohm version only.)

[StigErik]

If you want to mate better with a horn, go for an open baffle, as you will get a better controlled front lobe from an OB. The front dispersion will look more like the horn than a small box, which will be omnidirectional below 2-300 Hz.

With the right driver, it may also deliver a lot better dynamics than closed box. But be prepared for a couple of 15" if you want any deep bass......

[jerome69]

The ER18RNX is designed for BR, the CA18RLY is far better. The other loudspeakers are Ok for closed box. Think also about aperiodic cabinet.

[alspe]

Originally Posted by StigErik

With the right driver, it may also deliver a lot better dynamics than closed box. But be prepared for a couple of 15" if you want any deep bass......

Can you explain more this dynamics thing.

I think OB insist very difference speaker placement than closed box. At least 1,5 m from back wall...

[David Gatti]

According to B&Ws Nautilus white paper, 1 larger bass driver provides more impact and apparent depth than 2 smaller ones, presumably because of the greater cone mass. This has been my experience as well.