Hi there,
Let's start from these assumptions:
pros/cons?
Anyone experienced both?
Modern speakers have multiple woofers, I get that, commercial thing, the general public likes them more for the look and space vs the fridge sized speaker... but would they sound "better" with a bigger woofer?
Let's start from these assumptions:
- F3 is tuned at ~24hz for both.
- Xmax within range.
- Fully active 3 way, no passive crossover.
- The 18" has +3db compared to the two 12" below 28hz, so it get's lower... but again, DSP here.
- box size doesn't matter.
- they will cut at 260hz.
pros/cons?
Anyone experienced both?
Modern speakers have multiple woofers, I get that, commercial thing, the general public likes them more for the look and space vs the fridge sized speaker... but would they sound "better" with a bigger woofer?
I was gonna recommend 12's but given how high your ceiling is, definitely 18's.
It is more potent for dsp tweaks.
It is more potent for dsp tweaks.
Instead of two SB34 or one 18LEX1600 per side I'd probably go for four BMS 12S330.
Certainly cheaper and smaller than two SBs.
Certainly cheaper and smaller than two SBs.
Isn't two 15s the equivalent of one 18?
So if this is the case then it's 1 * 18" driver or 4 * 12" drivers and if that is so then go for one 18".
Personal opinion only but a good big woofer beats a good smaller woofer every time.
I only have room for twin 12"s in stereo and would exchange them for an 18" in a heartbeat if not for LoFF# and WAF##
##= Wife acceptance factor
# = Lack of Funds Factor
So if this is the case then it's 1 * 18" driver or 4 * 12" drivers and if that is so then go for one 18".
Personal opinion only but a good big woofer beats a good smaller woofer every time.
I only have room for twin 12"s in stereo and would exchange them for an 18" in a heartbeat if not for LoFF# and WAF##
##= Wife acceptance factor
# = Lack of Funds Factor
Sd-wise two 12s are closer to one 18 than one 15.
That holds more or less true through the entire standard range of sizes ie 2 of one size are roughly equal to one driver two sizes up as in two 5s = one 8, two 6.5s = one 10, two 8s = one 12, two 10s = one 15 etc.
That holds more or less true through the entire standard range of sizes ie 2 of one size are roughly equal to one driver two sizes up as in two 5s = one 8, two 6.5s = one 10, two 8s = one 12, two 10s = one 15 etc.
This is it. I like it. Go big, or go home. 🙂👍
Well to be hifi honest, small speakers is simply not high fidelity:Twin 8”= High distorsion, low output= Low fidelity.
Around Twin 15” per channel= Very unstressed Cool cats starting to really own the room 😇👍
I really think it’s about your maximum tolerable cabinet dimensions/box volume and displacement limited SPL.
You can’t escape Hoffman’s Iron Law.
Sure you can squeeze four 5.25” woofers into a sealed 12L cabinet. And turn it up to 11 with 500W and use motional feedback and FIR filters.
But you could also use a twin 10” or single 15” in a larger cabinet and turn it up to 11 with 500W and use motional feedback and FIR too, right?
Which one is going to have superior dynamic range and sound effortless and can play cleaner and louder?
Now take that speaker outdoors and listen at 10-20m the difference are even more apparent.
Have a look at your Vd and total cost of wooferin’
You can’t escape Hoffman’s Iron Law.
Sure you can squeeze four 5.25” woofers into a sealed 12L cabinet. And turn it up to 11 with 500W and use motional feedback and FIR filters.
But you could also use a twin 10” or single 15” in a larger cabinet and turn it up to 11 with 500W and use motional feedback and FIR too, right?
Which one is going to have superior dynamic range and sound effortless and can play cleaner and louder?
Now take that speaker outdoors and listen at 10-20m the difference are even more apparent.
Have a look at your Vd and total cost of wooferin’
For deciding between one 18" vs dual 12" specs might help:
Looking at the Beyma LEX1600Nd series;
Beyma 18"18LEX1600Nd with F= 33 and Displacement volume at Xmax = 1820cm³ at ~$700
Beyma 15"15LEX1600Nd with F=41 and Displacement volume at Xmax = 1276 at ~$600
Beyma 12"12LEX1600Nd with F=45 and Displacement volume at Xmax = 605 at ~$600
Clearly the 12" is a poor option for performance/$
So for twin 15" vs a single 18" the extra cost is maybe $1000
the plus is:
Performance should be good: 15'x 2 Vd = 140% of the 18", making up for compromised F and SPL
mount them on the side walls, partially offset for a slim 8" front baffle, compared to an 18"+ plus front baffle for the single 18"
Actually if those prices hold for the 18" why not go for twin 18" side mounted 🙂
For many the appearance with the front baffle size will be the dominating design factor rather then the performance.
Except the name, the 12/15LEX1600Nd are miles away from the 18LEX1600Nd, they don't get that low.
Pro speakers usually don't get this low, they are very rare, so a pro 15 is more difficult to find than a 18 with comparable Fs.
What's the point of doubling speakers above 12" if I barely use 1/8 of the Xmas on a 18?
So far the 18LEX1600Nd is the best 18" I found, considering the BMS isn't sold in the US and the Beyma is (professionally) tested better.
FIY, my current woofer is a ScanSpeak 18w/4531g00.... so switching from a 7" to 18" must be quite the experience.
The midrange is gonna be 12" ( 12NBM1000 )
That ScanSpeak alone is "loud" enough, but seeing them moving this much, nah... Xmas no good.
I'm looking for a lot less distortion and more "presence", 20 years old they look like new.
Is there anything better than the 18LEX1600Nd?
Pro speakers usually don't get this low, they are very rare, so a pro 15 is more difficult to find than a 18 with comparable Fs.
What's the point of doubling speakers above 12" if I barely use 1/8 of the Xmas on a 18?
So far the 18LEX1600Nd is the best 18" I found, considering the BMS isn't sold in the US and the Beyma is (professionally) tested better.
FIY, my current woofer is a ScanSpeak 18w/4531g00.... so switching from a 7" to 18" must be quite the experience.
The midrange is gonna be 12" ( 12NBM1000 )
That ScanSpeak alone is "loud" enough, but seeing them moving this much, nah... Xmas no good.
I'm looking for a lot less distortion and more "presence", 20 years old they look like new.
Is there anything better than the 18LEX1600Nd?
How about Bluehorn kind? 18 x 12. It is a JBL M2 competitor as a studio large monitor.
https://meyersound.com/download/bluehorn-system-datasheet/?wpdmdl=250406
https://meyersound.com/download/bluehorn-system-datasheet/?wpdmdl=250406
WOW, You make me want to paint that horn!
Yes it's gonna look like that, that's the idea.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/The-Loudspeaker-III.htm
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/The-Loudspeaker-2.htm
- With the horn in the middle like the LP3 (painted blue?!)
- The 18" like the LP2, 18LEX1600Nd instead of BMS 18N862
Those SB 12s are hard to beat for extension and accuracy, plus they have really good xmax and sensitivity. In the right box they will take 500w for 2 pcs (mechanically limited) and play close to 120dB down to mid 20s. Almost every other pro 15 will have higher overall HD, especially over 100 hz and under 40 hz. You'll expect over 95dB@ 2.83V without extra acoustical gain of 2 drivers together. These have 3" VCs, which is pro audio territory.