Excellent insights from Drew, as usual. On the question that Bombaywalla raised about 3 db vs. 6 db, I believe that despite the apparent disparity you are both essentially correct.
For a given drive voltage, the total radiated acoustical power will be 3 db greater if there are two paralleled drivers as opposed to one (everything else being equal). Addition of the second driver will double both the amount of electrical power that is drawn and the amount of acoustical power that is radiated.
However, at a listening position that is approximately equidistant from the two drivers there will be a 6 db increase in SPL, as a result of constructive interference. At some other locations destructive interference will occur, resulting in low SPLs. Averaged over all space there will be a 3 db increase.
Best regards,
-- Al
For a given drive voltage, the total radiated acoustical power will be 3 db greater if there are two paralleled drivers as opposed to one (everything else being equal). Addition of the second driver will double both the amount of electrical power that is drawn and the amount of acoustical power that is radiated.
However, at a listening position that is approximately equidistant from the two drivers there will be a 6 db increase in SPL, as a result of constructive interference. At some other locations destructive interference will occur, resulting in low SPLs. Averaged over all space there will be a 3 db increase.
Best regards,
-- Al