No, I don't say it like it is a bad thing and Yes, I'm highly familiar with amplifier and loudspeaker driver efficiencies. But again, padding down anything at line level has no influence on amplifier efficiency or speaker effiency at all. Are you familiar with the term efficiency? I think you do not fully understand what efficiency means and are confusing it with sensitivity.
Good conversation going on...i think everyone is pretty much in agreement on how things work technically, with different viewpoints being the only real separator.
My particular viewpoint has the goal of achieving maximum linear SPL, both average and peak.
Should add that another part of my viewpoint is from the standpoint of multiway active with DSP. (Passive for me = just shoot me.)
I agree with those who say that flattening down upper end-response to the desired low corner frequency output level, or the raising the low-corner response to the higher upper high-end level......is entirely the same after adjusting overall sub gain.
I think when we talk about sensitivity or efficiency of a speaker (actively driven), we have to be careful what we are referring to.
With respect to a single chosen frequency, boost or cut will not change it.
With respect to the entire passband taken as an average, a boost to the low less sensitive end, will decrease overall sensitivity. As will cuts to the more sensitive high end.
My particular viewpoint has the goal of achieving maximum linear SPL, both average and peak.
Should add that another part of my viewpoint is from the standpoint of multiway active with DSP. (Passive for me = just shoot me.)
I agree with those who say that flattening down upper end-response to the desired low corner frequency output level, or the raising the low-corner response to the higher upper high-end level......is entirely the same after adjusting overall sub gain.
I think when we talk about sensitivity or efficiency of a speaker (actively driven), we have to be careful what we are referring to.
With respect to a single chosen frequency, boost or cut will not change it.
With respect to the entire passband taken as an average, a boost to the low less sensitive end, will decrease overall sensitivity. As will cuts to the more sensitive high end.
You mean it will decrease overall headroom. Depending on the application, this might not mean too much if there's a bunch to spare (higher driver sensitivity).
Nope. not what i'm trying to convey.
We cannot change the headroom available at any particular chosen frequency, whether using boost or cut.
It's dictated by the driver and its box.
No application etc can change that basic fact, ime.
What we can change, are the judgment calls as to what we call 'efficiency' or 'sensitivity', because those specs are eyeballed, and rarely made by integrating measured response across the driver's intended usage. And with the emphasis on maintaining flat linear response.
Believe it or not I feel everyone (except me) in this thread knows what they r talking about. They just talk pass each other due to the confusion infused by me lol, sorry about that. But I learned a few valuable knowledge today
Within excursion limit of drivers, a system’s spl at a frequency is determined by power, input signal, efficiency & sensitivity. When u eq a frequency band, it only impacts signal strength (ie “rearrange” gain) in the band and nothing else. E.g. if you pad down the mid range, it means the gain in mid range is reduced, spl in this range is down and hence, amp power required is down which increases amp head room in this range.
PS: the reason why I wanted to “pad down” the mid instead of boosting bass is because I read somewhere that for eq, its always better to turn frequency down instead of up as it will have less distortion. But its probably just precaution for too much gain near the DAC limit and/or driving the speaker near the amp’s limit.
Within excursion limit of drivers, a system’s spl at a frequency is determined by power, input signal, efficiency & sensitivity. When u eq a frequency band, it only impacts signal strength (ie “rearrange” gain) in the band and nothing else. E.g. if you pad down the mid range, it means the gain in mid range is reduced, spl in this range is down and hence, amp power required is down which increases amp head room in this range.
PS: the reason why I wanted to “pad down” the mid instead of boosting bass is because I read somewhere that for eq, its always better to turn frequency down instead of up as it will have less distortion. But its probably just precaution for too much gain near the DAC limit and/or driving the speaker near the amp’s limit.
To close the loop here: I have all drivers w me: SS 6620, 18’s 6ND430, Faital 15FH510 and enough plywood for 1 speaker (its a pain the butt to buy wood at the end of the year). Well see if I have something decent to show you guys in 2 weeks (or 2 months) lol.
Thank everybody.
Thank everybody.