size of the driver


Coming from the "old school" and being a complete (or almost) novice here - in the old days back in 1970-75 we thought that the big (read - wide) driver will have better capability to produce more realistic sound, talking about lower end of the spectr at least. But nowdays I am seing 6 inch drivers stated as "bass". Just curious how well those perform or in another words what is the secret behind those if they really can perform at the same level as the 12 inch ones?

And another question which I guess is too simple and too basic around here that's why I couldn't find some point to point answer - when we speak about sensitivity - would that be a true statement to say that higher level (say 92-95 db) will allow to extract "fuller" sound spectr at a lower level of volume? My feeling is that with somewhat lower 89 db or less you need to increase the volume in order to have more visible lower end?

Thank you for your time
avs9
"However, for those whose first-priority is realism, seeking to combine the fore-mentioned attributes with truly realistic tone, the choice seems to be limited to relatively scarce systems with large mid-woofers (dynamism is another benefit that, more often than not, comes with most of the existing large-coned examples)."

In larger rooms, larger drivers or multiple drivers would seem to be the options.

"So I guess the choice between the large and the small driver all comes down to; which attributes are more important to the individual. It's a matter of 'picking your poison', in other words, I suppose."

No doubt about the picking your poison (or pleasure, however one might term it ) part. Personally, I like sound best when it has what I often refer to as "meat on the bones" along with all the rest. Larger or multiple drivers usually accompanied by larger and heavier enclosures are two ways to potentially accomplish that .

I run multiple speakers in multiple rooms ranging in size from 12X12 to 20X34. My smaller speakers work well in teh smaller rooms and the larger ones can as well but only the larger ones can cut it in the larger rooms.

ITs no mystery why in virtually every line of speakers, the larger better built ones tend to cost the most. True even of exclusive high end lines like Magico, I believe. But not everyone needs or can even afford those.

Most people would love to have a Lamborghini but practically settle for Toyotas.
By the way, if you listen to rock concert music, nothing beats big boxes with high efficiency 15 or 18 inch drivers, for the simple reason that these are exactly what you hear at the concert. Horn mids and tweeters also. IMHO, horible, but accurate.
"By the way, if you listen to rock concert music, nothing beats big boxes with high efficiency 15 or 18 inch drivers, for the simple reason that these are exactly what you hear at the concert. Horn mids and tweeters also. IMHO, horrible, but accurate."

Often horrible, yes, but I have heard it done well both in smaller clubs and large stadiums in recent years. I had seats right in the "sweet spot" at the last Paul McCartney concert at FedEx Field in DC and the sound was the best I have ever heard at a large stadium event by far, quite good actually even by audiophile standards I would say. I hadn't been to a similar large stadium event in years because I had sworn them off years ago, bad sound quality being just one of the reasons. Those seats were not cheap though!

Speakers used were large and efficient no doubt in that venue. The sound "columns" on either side of the stage were I would guess 40-50' high and each consisted of many units/drivers functioning in an array.

I would guestimate that if the venue from where I sat, about two sections back dead center, were scaled down to fit into a decent sized home listening room, the speakers would stand ~ 6-7' tall and 2-3' wide and likely each be quite heavy still as well.

I also know of at least one local venue where name acts of all genres including Rock can be heard in an intimate club setting for very reasonable cost and sound quality is also top notch (still best in teh "sweet spot") having heard it from that sweet spot on multiple occasions.

BTw, can anyone guess what the good sounding seats in both large stadium and intimate club had in common other than being in the sweet spot?

Answer:

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"I really can't think of anything much worse than a large system poorly designed/executed "

Have heard such and gotta agree. Glad I only heard and did not pay!