Crossover / Bandpass for LS50 "Bass Stands" and HT/SYN

[aarons915]

The filter is a high pass on the LS 50 Metas, so it will attenuate below the crossover frequency only. The Low pass on the sub will attenuate their output above the crossover point, and since there will be a great deal of natural roll off above 150 hz on any sub anyway, it won't be necessary to do more than 24 db/octave at most. Probably a L-R with 24 db octave on both legs will take care of everything as long as the subs are close (like 24 inches) from the mains.

As for distortion, people might want to read this post in Axiom Audio before they consider spending thousands to chase the lowest distortion speakers:

How Much Distortion Can We Hear With Music?

How much distortion can we hear with music? An experimental study at Axiom.

www.axiomaudio.com

Even so, I do believe the biggest issue with the Metas is not their harmonic distortion in the bass, but rather their high levels of IMD carrying all the way into the midrange (1000 hz and up) when played at higher levels. That kind of distortion is almost certainly audible, and the ear is especially sensitive to it in the midrange. See Erin's review and you'll know what I'm referring to.

IMD is the main concern but with a higher crossover the only area that is a concern is that elevated 1-2k region and that is only at the 96db @ 1 meter level which is extremely loud. I would say crossed over around 150Hz or so and listening to multiple speakers around 10 feet under 90 decibels would be more than fine, above those levels the LS50 probably won't cut it.

 

[john61ct]

Well the Outlaw ICBM can do 120Hz - is there going to be a real advantage (in the context of maximising LS50 SPL) between that and 150Hz?

If I can use the ICBMs I already have, not have to do DSP, they offer OOTB both user-friendly convenience, accuracy compared to passives AND high SQ at a very low cost.

 

[aarons915]

Well the Outlaw ICBM can do 120Hz - is there going to be a real advantage (in the context of maximising LS50 SPL) between that and 150Hz?

If I can use the ICBMs I already have, not have to do DSP, they offer OOTB both user-friendly convenience, accuracy compared to passives AND high SQ at a very low cost.

It really depends on how loud you listen, I use 120Hz 2nd order on the LS50s and they are never breaking a sweat but I never really go above 85db at my listening position.

 

[john61ct]

It really depends on how loud you listen, I use 120Hz 2nd order on the LS50s and they are never breaking a sweat but I never really go above 85db at my listening position.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I meant, the primary goal here is to maximise LS50 SPL (without sacrificing their SQ much less risking damage).

Consider it a technical / learning IRL experiment pushing them as a tool.

Nothing to do with my personal listening preferences or habits.

So, within that (maximising LS50 SPL) context again, for anybody who might feel qualified to answer

> is there going to be a real advantage going up from 120Hz, to 150Hz or beyond?