Slow bass myths encouraged

[mike.e]

Hi all
The slow bass bandits are at it againno wonder so many believe in it,its still being broadcast to the masses.

Quote FFWD hifi magazine,glossy glitzy shiny equipment

FFWD Feb/march 2005

"Theres a new(!!) line of thinking when it comes to subwoofers that bigger is better - not true. Huge 12 or 15inch drivers may produce a lot of bass, but because of their bulk their also incapable of moving as fast as a smaller driver.

When it comes to music and movies bass speed is all improtant lest the bass meld together in an unruly and indistinguisable mess. So how do you create fast,deep bass?
Easy: use multiple small drivers that can move with exceptional speed and control
'audio pro's' new ace-bass 2 subwoofer employs 4 5.5" drivers along with a 10" PR in a sealed box .....A stonkign great 500w D-class amp pushes the whole shebang to some outstanding results from 1-100hz.Standby for a full review next issue.

'facts' attained from this so truthful article -

Small woofers MUST be faster,and cos they said so,its true

This company is thinking in a new way, which is better -compromise?whats that!Those darned laws of physics no audiophile need concern himself with them.


Whos giving FFWD reviewers free audio,and paying the bills this month!

[Evilsizer]

thats funny..... I would like to know how a smaller cone would move faster then a larger one. The motor plays a bigger role in how fast the cone moves then size(right?). I thought it was more logical that a speaker with less xmax at any size would be able to move faster?

[Tweeker]

The best way to use those drivers:

Fast base

[mike.e]

Originally posted by Tweeker
The best way to use those drivers:

Fast base

LOL

I think peoples problems is the fact that large woofers produce bass in volumes not attained with 4" mini woofers,merely dissuades people from them!

If the displacement and response is similar the many little woofers probably sound the same at low signal levels anyway!

[454Casull]

Originally posted by Evilsizer
thats funny..... I would like to know how a smaller cone would move faster then a larger one. The motor plays a bigger role in how fast the cone moves then size(right?). I thought it was more logical that a speaker with less xmax at any size would be able to move faster?

Well, max velocity is proportional to max amplitude, if I'm remembering my basic harmonic motion.

[johninCR]

While yes a 20hz tone can't be talked about in terms of different speeds for different drivers, music is not made up of single tone sine waves. A sub is expected to play, for example, a variety of frequencies between 30 & 100hz all at the same time. The result is that while the big high excursion high Le woofer is moving say 1" point to point playing the lowest frequencies, it's just not going to do a good job reproducing the rest of the spectrum. You end up with a "mushier" sound in that 50-100hz region because dynamically it can't handle recreating all of the nuances contained in the signal. Given the choice I'd take lots of small drivers making bass over 1 large (and dare I say it) slow subwoofer.

In the example shown, just 4 drivers is unlikely to produce acceptable low end spls, but I do agree with the point they make.

[Tweeker]

Id rather ask the sub to only play the sub frequencies, and have the mains take care of that stuff. This means not using cute little tiny satelites for your mains though.

[johninCR]

Originally posted by Tweeker
Id rather ask the sub to only play the sub frequencies, and have the mains take care of that stuff. This means not using cute little tiny satelites for your mains though.

Agreed, except that a big array of those tiny satellite drivers can be awesome.

[454Casull]

Originally posted by johninCR
While yes a 20hz tone can't be talked about in terms of different speeds for different drivers, music is not made up of single tone sine waves. A sub is expected to play, for example, a variety of frequencies between 30 & 100hz all at the same time. The result is that while the big high excursion high Le woofer is moving say 1" point to point playing the lowest frequencies, it's just not going to do a good job reproducing the rest of the spectrum. You end up with a "mushier" sound in that 50-100hz region because dynamically it can't handle recreating all of the nuances contained in the signal. Given the choice I'd take lots of small drivers making bass over 1 large (and dare I say it) slow subwoofer.

In the example shown, just 4 drivers is unlikely to produce acceptable low end spls, but I do agree with the point they make.

Wouldn't distortion increase if the nuances were smoothed over?

[merlinx76]

Originally posted by johninCR
While yes a 20hz tone can't be talked about in terms of different speeds for different drivers, music is not made up of single tone sine waves. A sub is expected to play, for example, a variety of frequencies between 30 & 100hz all at the same time. The result is that while the big high excursion high Le woofer is moving say 1" point to point playing the lowest frequencies, it's just not going to do a good job reproducing the rest of the spectrum. You end up with a "mushier" sound in that 50-100hz region because dynamically it can't handle recreating all of the nuances contained in the signal. Given the choice I'd take lots of small drivers making bass over 1 large (and dare I say it) slow subwoofer.

In the example shown, just 4 drivers is unlikely to produce acceptable low end spls, but I do agree with the point they make.

So get 2 of these big subs so that you aren't needing 1" of excursion. The same problem would be had if you try to get much excursion out of the smaller drivers. Excursion can't be an argument for smaller drivers.