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Do audiophiles hate large subwoofers?

I'm noticing a lot of folks into high end audio prefer smaller subwoofers (If they add one at all). What are the reasons for not going after a 15", 18" or something even larger?

Seems like the quickness issue comes up a lot, but when you think about it on a larger subwoofer the excursion is not as severe so it would be more in control. Couple that with servo technology and it can be plenty quick and tight, no?
bstatmeister
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,095 posts
 

Rythmik Audio designer/owner Brian Ding has stated that his 15" woofer is no less nimble than is his 12". He also offers subs containing 8" and 18" drivers, and states that his different size subs vary in their maximum SPL capabilities at the lowest frequencies (below 30Hz), NOT in their sound quality.

A subwoofer driver’s performance is determined by a. number of factors, of course. People often cite the lower mass of the cone of a 12" woofer in comparison to that of a 15" as being the reason (all else being equal) for the 12" being "faster". That’s an over-simplification on a number of levels, one example being: The higher mass of the cone of the 15" can be easily be compensated for by using a larger motor (magnet). But that too is an over-simplification, as the gap in the magnet is also a factor. Beware those making simple, bumper sticker slogan proclamations. They should go into politics ;-) .

ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,054 posts
 
I don't see much wrong with them. It's not really the larger drivers, it's more that it can be a problem of one kind or other to get them into a "small" enough box and still sound very good. And there's the problem of the lack of proper control enough to integrate them well into the room and system...which is my complaint of virtually any sub out there you can name.

I think servo subs can work well, but it's really all the rest of it that needs to be thought out most, first.

I don't like subs generally because they are designed as an "add on" to the system...a bandaid. They are designed that way because they are approached that way. "Hey, it's a subwoofer and that's what you want, right?" Just more fully resolving the bass/room/system interactions could possibly be a better thought, subwoofer or no.

Regards
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,632 posts
 
ivan_nosnibor,

Try a REL Sub through it’s high level input and you will see how easy it is to integrate a sub with 2-ch audio. I have two of them and can’t imagine my system without them. 

They will shred your notion of ‘add on’ in no time. Nothing else out there that gels within your system like a REL sub. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,095 posts
 
The Rythmik A370 and H600 plate amps (found in the F12, F15, F18, and F25 models) are available in versions (the PEQ, not the XLR) that provide both line level (on RCA jacks) and high level (on binding posts) inputs. REL subs of course have a great rep with audiophiles, as do Rythmiks.
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