The minimum footprint challenge

Status
Not open for further replies.
I was at an IMAX theater yesterday. Big sound system, obviously. Dunkirk movie, Hans Zimmer music, etc...

Sound quality was very good, it was very loud (too much for my taste) but in some sequences where Zimmer's music was in the 20-30hz, we were able to hear the woofers struggling. Sure not as clean as the Hans Zimmer show i just saw few weeks ago, where obviously some serious subwoofers system where used...

The first octave is some serious business. Even at low-moderate listening volume, it's something very difficult to obtain, in a clean, hi-fi manner.
 
Back to topic:

So, in the light of recent pages i think the title should be:

The footprint challenge: How low can you go?

😉

It's clear now that micro footprint is possible even for ultra high SPL but we'd end up with arrays of hornless compression drivers... We don't want that, do we? 😀

So the bottlenek is the bass. To be more precise, the 1st octave, especially the 20-35hz which falls below most of driver's Fs and require decent Xmax for EQ correction.


The way i see it (and i might be wrong) there is TWO options that can be considered ''optimal'':

1. The new trend of flat subwoofers, such as the Dayton's and JL audio's, etc..

2. The 8 or 10 inchers without pole vent with good xmax and low Fs.


An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


That's a 10W1v3, 25hz Fs and 11mm Xmax, 15 liters sealed box requirement, no pole vent.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


A x E = 0.0312 m² (0.34 ft²) + wood thickness. That's not much for something you can duplicate vertically in an array (if needed, which frankly i don't think)
 
I once contemplated an array design with multiple 5" or 6" subs in an array mated to a central horn, or a dual concentric driver, like the KEF 100.

When you introduce the words "footprint" you have to go tall. Maybe you want the challenge to be something like: 20 Hz - 20kHz, 110 db peak capable (or insert something else here), and smallest possible volume.
 
The Tang Band W6-2100 in arrays is hardly an economic solution :whazzat:

But cost-no-object? Maybe.

0.0214m² + wood thickness. That is almost exactly as the 8W1v3 and the Dayton low-profile.

And there is nothing else to speak of in the entire Parts express catalog... Or prove me wrong 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.