Low freq. from small drivers? Is it possible


Can you get really low freq. (lets say 30 and down) from a small driver (~6 inch? What is the relationship between driver size and frequency? Most speakers today have went away from a large base driver (10 inches or more). Have we really come that far or is it really a compermize?

Any recomendations for smaller floor standers with good bass?

Thanks,

Dr. Ken
drken
Yes, there are many speakers that can get to the 30hz range with those 6.5" drivers. VBT has a claimed frequency response of 18hz(-6db) with one of their subs using a 6.5" driver.

There are tradeoff though. A 6.5" driver generally can't play as loud as a 10" driver before breaking up. Second deep bass in small boxes generally means lower effeciency. So yep physics still applys.
The key is to move a large volumn of air. If long throw woofers are used then they don't need have as large diameter.
Speakers with only one 6 inch bass driver (mid-range really) are not going to move enough air for output into any room larger than a small car trunk even at 35hz.

Ported speakers only add SPL pretty much and are a poor choice for bass output IMO.

If you need (want) deep bass don't start out with a design that is compromised from the start....OR, you could say, don't send a boy to do a man's job.

Dave
I heard amazing, deep, tuneful bass down to 30hz and then some from a 6.5" woofer in the Merlin VSM-MM. And this was in an approx. 8000 cu. ft room. They really did blow my misconceptions of what a small woofer could do in a well designed speaker. It was an eye (ear) opener.

Cheers
Hi - I own a pair of Avalon Eclpses, which I consider small woffer and capable of reproducing a very clean low frequency range at 35Hz and up. Be sure to position this (or any other speaker) on it{s right place to achieve the best possible bass.

Fernando