- Joined
- Jun 5, 2020
- Messages
- 4,808
- Likes
- 3,749
Nope.
-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Subwoofers make all big speakers obsolete?
- Thread starter Pearljam5000
- Start date
You forgot /s?I see that in order for a 12” driver to produce 105dB at 20Hz at 2m requires around 70mm Xmax. It’s is incredible that your sub achieves such an excursion, almost half the driver diameter (6 inches) peak to peak!
Piston Excursion calculator
www.baudline.com
Maybe he means in room?
Manufacturers don’t lie but a calculator with published formula do?
I’m sorry but what do you mean by /s?
It is ported, and depending on the tuning frequency, driver displacement will vary.
Play around in winisd, you can model this exatly.
He pointed to two independent testers that ended up with the same result according to a known standard (CEA-2010). That is hardly the manufacturer lying, if anything you'd have to claim that the testers are lying, or that their testing has been done inadequately. As for that calculator: it assumes a certain ratio of driver frame size to radiating area (woofer size times 0.83) which is not necessarily accurate for every woofer out there. Additionally it does not include the extra output you get from a ported enclosure (the website acknowledges this).
I’m sorry but as far as I read, so far nobody knows in this thread what model the subwoofer is other than its enclosure volume and weight but people are referring to data. What am I missing?
The model name written on the sub is literally "Monolith 12" THX Subwoofer". It's the first gen model (the same one that was reviewed, see subwoofer comparison chart). It has now been replaced and they are just rolling out the seconed gen, there are some differences and I don't think that model has been measured so far.
And while I can see why you would be critical of manufacturer specifications (although Monoprice/Monolith seems to be trustworthy) I see no reason to doubt the competence or truthfulness of the mentioned independent reviewers.
And while I can see why you would be critical of manufacturer specifications (although Monoprice/Monolith seems to be trustworthy) I see no reason to doubt the competence or truthfulness of the mentioned independent reviewers.
Thank you for clarifying the model name. I can see the data now.
However, and as you said, I start with distrusting manufacturers as the vast majority fib. It’s nice to see Monoprice seems to be an exception.
Last edited:
Hi, could you recommend some smaller sealed subs to pair up with KEF R3's? Definitely looking for SQ over SPL... something that will round out the sound nicely over beating down the house.
Don't pay a lot of attention to small sealed subs, but where are you? What dimensions would be "small"? SQ being accurate with low distortion? What sort of extension are you looking for? What's the budget? Subs don't particularly "pair" with particular brands/models of speakers in any case.
I'm in the states. Looking for something 13" all around or smaller. Yeah, going for accuracy with low distortion. Not really sure on extension, it'll be music 99% of the time with the occasional movie. Is there a recommended extension for music? I'm seeing piano into the low 30's and bass guitar into the mid 20's. I'll be purchasing second hand (which will hopefully help expand the options), and would like to stick around $3-400.
Maybe this might help... Had a friend lend me the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608. I liked it, but even that was a bit too "boomy" in certain areas (which is probably more related to room acoustics or positioning of the sub... I plan on using DSP in the future, so that might help). Not sure I had the volume turned up a quarter of the way when it was here.
And what's the deal with Rel? Doesn't seem to be a forum favorite around here.
Dang that's small! No particular ideas in that size range. What are room dims? I wouldn't consider anything less than a 12" driver myself in a sealed sub (an SVS or Rythmik would be my first thoughts if not just diy). Boomy could be nature of such small sub's inherent frequency response as well as positioning/room and gear you have to integrate it with. The gain level on the sub is more about your pre-out levels than anything. Extension is intertwined with spl and distortion....I see with appropriate eq setting the 608 is rated by B&W for -6dB at 23hz (or 28hz or 36hz at the other two dsp settings) but at what spl? I don't see any third party testing....
Used subs can be hard as they tend to need to be local sales or shipping costs get in the way, let alone basic availability of models you're interested in. Rel is just overpriced and underperforming IMO....I wouldn't consider B&W for subs at all (or speakers particularly), let alone any 8" drivers....
Haha, I know. The room is 14 x 22 x 8. I couldn't imagine a 12" in this room. I think full range towers would be ideal, but those have an extremely low WAF haha. The small subs in Rel's lineup is the main reason I'm considering them. Haven't found many reviews on small subs outside of Rel, KEF and Goldenear.
What brands would you recommend for subs?
That's not a particularly big room for a 12", probably a bit large for an 8". I use dual 12"s in a smaller bedroom setup. I would generally say stick to the sub specialists like SVS, Rythmik, Hsu, PowerSound Audio (among others but they're larger or more expensive), or perhaps RSL (or just diy like I've done for my last several). I couldn't give money to Goldenear at all, they're owned by Fraudioquest (and from what I've seen they're on the pricey side for performance as well). WAF I can't help you with, am single, but a nicer finish will generally just cost more (there are ways of making WAF friendly diy subs, tho). SVS does have the Micro 3000 sub, and some of Kef's might do I suppose. Actual full range towers can be pretty pricey (and lacking WAF for the least expensive one I can think of).
Take a look at the KEF KC62.... - price may be an issue... but it certainly has the performance and size.
Yeah, I should probably see if room integration helps the issue before anything else. Thanks for the recommendations, I completely forgot about Hsu and Power. I wish RSL made a smaller sub, their reviews are nothing short of amazing. Which diy kits/brands do you like? I really appreciate the feedback, it's been very helpful.
Meant to ask, what about the Rel's measures so poorly?
Yeah, they look great but are so damn expensive
