Bass Driver Size - how much better is an extra inch?


Have older b&w speakers and bass drivers are 7 inches vs 804 d3 speakers that are 6 1/2.

the larger drivers seem to really open the sound stage, more open and less constrained.  Imaging of older speakers not as good but a very enjoyable listen.
Not sure why driver sizes tend to be smaller these days unless you pay a lot more.  Hear that most consumers want more compact mains so drivers are smaller.  Kinda sad.
emergingsoul

Showing 1 response by audiorusty

Don't confuse frequency response with impulse response (impact) in regards to low frequency drivers. While a well designed 6.5" driver can cycle quite low in a well designed cabinet, it will only have a fraction of  the impulse response of a larger driver. Not all music styles require impulse response, like folk music or traditional jazz to name a couple, but impulse response is a major part of most modern music created since the early seventies and you will not get the full effect of that music out of a small speaker.