mozartfan, you can not beat physics. A small cone is not going to project low frequencies well without forcing it which will just increase distortion as the suspension gets to the limits of it's excursion. Big drivers do not have to move as far decreasing distortion. You can beat this problem by using multiple driver arrays which is now common practice but if you want to get really low effortlessly, I mean below 40 Hz down to 18 Hz you need big drivers and heavy enclosures. I get flat down to 18 Hz using 4 12" drivers in separate enclosures each weighing 200 lb, 2000 watts per driver and digital bass management with room control. It will put out 115 dB at 18 Hz. The effect is quite interesting. The whole house rattles, glasses, plates dentures you name it. It feels as if he house is going to jump off it's foundation. Very Cool.
If you really want to know what your driver is doing you have to measure it. Most companies do this for you and relate it in their specifications. If you build a loudspeaker system you have to measure it at the listening position to determine what it is really doing not in the near field. You can also measure it outside at 5 feet which will give you an idea what the speaker will do in an an-echoic chamber. You never trust your ears at least initially.
The benefit of a big driver is that you can go much lower than you can with a smaller driver all other things being equal. Most people have never heard a system that goes below 40 Hz with authority. Their concept of bass is different until they hear a system that really does.
If you really want to know what your driver is doing you have to measure it. Most companies do this for you and relate it in their specifications. If you build a loudspeaker system you have to measure it at the listening position to determine what it is really doing not in the near field. You can also measure it outside at 5 feet which will give you an idea what the speaker will do in an an-echoic chamber. You never trust your ears at least initially.
The benefit of a big driver is that you can go much lower than you can with a smaller driver all other things being equal. Most people have never heard a system that goes below 40 Hz with authority. Their concept of bass is different until they hear a system that really does.