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Best bass

Posted by rick57 on September 25, 2002 at 22:56:43

(I apologise for the number of questions!)

I'm looking for recomendations on the best design approach and drivers for best overall bass, below 80 Hz.
The primary criteria is music (50% rock, rest mixed), though also home theatre. Ultimate output needed is quite loud as the room (to be built soon) will be moderately large (25' * 17' * average 11', semi cathedral ceilings), and occasionally there'll be parties . . .
For HT I'm after reasonable output down to say 18 Hz.

Priorities are 1. Clean and fast (quick transients, minimal decay times); 2. Good dynamics 3. Low end extension. 4. Low end output.
All in a demanding spec.

The main speakers are to be designed and built, likely bass drivers from 300 Hz down; 10", possibly 12". Other things being equal would use PHL drivers. Was possibly to be bass reflex, though as I will need two subs, I don't need much extension in the main speakers, perhaps I should go sealed box with total Q of 0.7, for best transients. (They're also easier to design and build). This would probably rule out PHL (not suited to sealed boxes), so recommendations for 10" or 12" woofers to match a 95 db top quality PHL midrange would be appreciated. Two may be needed to match that output.

For best room coupling, I'll be better with two subs.

A key question is for say 40-80 Hz - the critical music bass regions - use the main speakers' bass, or the subs? I imagine the main speakers would almost certainly have lighter cones - be faster & better for music. Anyone disagree? (Though it does seem a waste to have 2 subs covering 18 - 40 Hz, only a little more than a single octave).

At the low end - I've been reading about the advantages of transmission lines in Dickason's excellent book (The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook): best transient response, and low-end rolloff better than all other designs.
(BTW a current UK Hi Fi mag shows an interesting cutaway photo of an REL sub with a hybrid TL).
There are ways around the negatives of a TL: the ripples in mid bass - are avoided by only using it up to say 80 Hz; and lower efficiency - use a more efficient or extra driver.
So while TLs require more tuning, the advantages & number of articles on the web etc suggests to me that they would make excellent subs.

Your opinions? Though many have 8' lines, which translates to about a quarter of 35 Hz - this is only about 'half' the extension to 18 Hz I was seeking. I think that means that need a 16' line (!) which would need to be folded - I guess the distinct downside in this scenario is the amount of material & difficulty moving the possible monster. I don't think there's rapid rolloff below that point (probably not), but a dip at that Fs point?

Also, what drivers for the sub? This will be to a large extent guided' by the design (TL/ vented box/ etc).
Good contenders that I'm aware of include the Peerless 830500, Adire's Shiva & Tempest, Lambda TD, and JBL Pro (I've heard a number of good reports - but don't yet know how much they are/ where sold on the web?). I'd prefer if possible to avoid EQ, as it diminishes transient response.

Thanks guys

Richard

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