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There's a lot more bass in a 6.5" driver than most of you think

One topic of discussion I often see new audiophiles touch on is whether to get larger speakers for more bass.

I usually suggest they tune the room first, then re-evaluate. This is based on listening and measurement in several apartments I’ve lived in. Bigger speakers can be nothing but trouble if the room is not ready.


In particular, I often claim that the right room treatment can make smaller speakers behave much larger. So, to back up my claims I’d like to submit to you my recent blog post here:

https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-snr-1-room-response-and-roon.html


Look at the bass response from those little drivers! :)


I admit for a lot of listeners these speakers won’t seem as punchy as you might like, but for an apartment dweller who does 50/50 music and theater they are ideal for me. If you’d like punchy, talk to Fritz who aligns his drivers with more oomf in the bass.


erik_squires
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
Hello Erik,
     Thanks for the audioxpress article, very interesting about phase and zero phase in recording and playback. It seems like the effects of phase linearity and accuracy are subtle, also.  
     Yes, I liked dealing with Mike Major of GIK on my free room analysis and I'm very impressed with the effectiveness and quality of their room treatments thus far.  I'm very optimistic about the detailed room treatment plan I created with the very capable assistance of Mike.  
     Phase one was the installation of the stacked GIK Tri Traps in all 4 corners and some GIK 244 bass trap panels along the front and rear walls.  Phase two will be having a local Indianapolis hi-end shop, The Audio Solution, install the remaining 12 combination of a balance of absorption and diffusion midrange/treble frequency wall panels throughout my room, with the strategy being mainly diffusion at the front and rear of my room and mainly absorption in-between.
      I'll probably start a thread of the perceived results in a few weeks.  My intent will be to just be honest and describe my impressions as I hear them.
   Thanks again for your honest and useful advice.

Tim
erik_squires OP
17,585 posts
 
Thanks for the audioxpress article, very interesting about phase and zero phase in recording and playback. It seems like the effects of phase linearity and accuracy are subtle, also.  


You are welcome. One thing I like about Toole a great deal is we hear the same things. Others may find phase and phase linearity big deals, and for them it might be but after lots of listening to Thiel and Vandersteen it is not that big a deal for me. I was thinking of playing with rePhase and Roon to attempt this digitally, but after reading that I'm going to forget about it.

Thanks again for your honest and useful advice.

My pleasure. Glad I helped, I envy your ability to get so much gear installed.  Much more than I can do in an apartment.
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
5,194 posts
 
Happy Saturday to all...*S*

Hey, Eric...this appeared in the 'cunning trick' forum...

https://audioxpress.com/files/attachment/2689

...and I thought you'd enjoy it.  The speakers shown over a major mix board may be just a 'trade trick' (sic), but it definitely fits within your proposition. ;)

Cheerfulls, J
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
5,194 posts
 
'Ell, even I'd buy a pair....*L*
erik_squires OP
17,585 posts
 
@asvjerry

Yep, though all those measurements were quasi-anechoic, while mine are in-room. :)  Plus, those are meant to be near-field monitors. The measurements are overall not atypical for a two way. Shame that built in correction for boundary reinforcement isn't easy/typical in passive and home speakers.
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