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Woofing "Q"

Todays query pertains to sub matching to a stand mounted two or three way speaker. Irrespective of room acoustics and crossover over or underlaping points and levels. What are the effects of mis matching Q or damping. Is it detremental to match a acoustic suspension sub with a ported monitor or must they both have the same box alignment. This assuming that a sealed box is quicker than than a bass reflex box. I curently am using sealed Yamaha 10m monitors with a Yamaha sub that has two 8 in drivers and a port. It is matched pretty well. The Cary 805c is telling me I need to step up my game, but I don't want to lose my alignment match. Halp before I make a 'greener grass' mistake.
lewhite
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Shadorne's comment re: "sealed subs only" is probably, as a practical matter, good advice for a music only system, but it may be a bit of an overstatement.

Marty,
Who me ...make an overstatement...never !
LOL - Marty is right - my context is uncompromising bass response. I am not sure where the OP sits, and admittedly for many people "more bass" is better and a low Q device or a sealed sub may sound unimpressively bass light for their taste and $$$ invested.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Shadorne,

Funny, I was thinking the same thing! You and I are the only two posters I can think of who always qualify their statements in a thoughtful and appropriate manner. Yay us!

Marty
lewhite OP
156 posts
 
I remember a white paper from Dunleavy on multi way speakers and his statement said that the only drivers that should be ported ( hi q) are the biggest ones. Does it make sense that you wouldn't want ported monitor and a sealed sub? idk Or does that only apply to mono amping?
lewhite OP
156 posts
 
Also I am using a SET amp so doesn't that raise speaker Q because of its hi output impedance. Of the speakers that are going to replace the Yamaha 10m (which are sealed) most of them tout " impressive bass for a speaker this size". Isn't that just another way of saying "kinda loose" Is that something that I want? My room is kinda small and a loose sub seems like it could get out of control real fast.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Lewhite,

I'm pretty sure that trial and error is the only way to be sure that Q is adequately matched. That why I like variable Q subs, whether the Rythmik system, or SVS' open/blocked porting system. Either should allow you enough flexibility to find a good match with most main speakers. Also, both brands are sold direct with a money back in-home trial period. BTW, there may well be other brands out there with this feature, too - so I'm not suggesting that these are your only options. I will note that both appear to be highly regarded and that I'm personally very happy with my Rythmiks.

Good Luck

Marty
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