Transmission Line Bass


As a long time proponent of good bass without subs, I like tinkering with different ways of approching the age old problem of recreating all energy below 100Hz.
Seriously, if you look at loudspeaker responses, everything seems goes to hell just below that point, swinging wildly in output response, almost independent of many of the typical factors that would be indicators of performance.
So, the question.
Who among us has had extensive Transmission Line Bass Experience in listening, (like me with the IMF's in days gone by, with Bud Fried being a wonderful mentor to me).
In Jim Thiel's lab, one time he told me 'candidly' that Transmission Line Designs 'in theory' don't work. (Another discussion for another time). But he, like me was a bass freak of the first order, loving a rich full bottom end, hence some of his equalized designs early on. They were an all out attempt to bend the laws of physics.
So, what do we think of Transmission Line bass--so, if you're familiar with the sonics though actual listening, and can express first hand opinions let us hear your impressions of the differences between ported, passive radiators and transmission.

Thanks in advance...

Larry
lrsky
there is a really good white paper on the wisdom audio site. They are using "regenerative" transmission lines in all of their woofers - and they are the best, most musical subs I've heard.
I have a pair Intuitive Design Summits, like Csmgolf had.

Not to complicate matters, but they are referred to as a triangular transmission line design by Dale Pitcher.

The lower cabinets have three tubes running from top to bottom inside (in a triangular position) which contain some kind of fluid (I don't know what the fluid really is)

The lower cabinets themselves are also fillable (more or less) to help achieve proper bass response in accordance to room size.

The energy from the top cabinets is transmitted via Stillpoints to the postions of the tubes in the lower cabinets.

A very effective design, I sold my pair of subs after hearing these.
only if you listen at high levels...

+ great speed & coherence with 2 Ways (PMC GB1 / DB1)
+ great PRAT at high levels

- unnatural bass
- bass volume much lower than mids volume

dont care for the 3-way designs (PMC).