Acoustic treatment

dtximages:
"Or just buy more subs. I don’t see anything magical about the AK Swarm. What I gathered is that 4 subs, semi-carefully placed will essentially do a better job of EQ-ing itself than room correction software"

Hello dxtimages,

     You're correct, the key to the distributed bass array (DBA) concept's effectiveness is having 4 subs distributed throughout the room and anyone can create their own custom DBA system using any subs they prefer.  Four small DIY subs or four huge and expensive JL Audio subs, or any subs in between, will work.  The DBA concept is scalable and flexible and provides accurate, detailed, smooth and natural bass response in virtually any room and seamlessly integrates this bass with any pair of speakers, even fast planar-magnetic and electrostatic speakers.
     You're also correct that you don't see anything magical about the AK Swarm or a custom DBA system, all the magic is heard and felt but not seen.

Tim

In the case of the much maligned CD not very much of the bass frequencies are coming through anyway so what’s the difference?

Has anyone ever tried having a single big sub and a few more smaller ones?  I'd think a single sub that goes to 20hz would be enough and then 3 smaller ones that only maybe go down to 30hz could be used to even out the response.  Locate the big one in the best spot for very deep bass and the other three can even out the response from 30-80hz.  There tends to be a huge price difference between subs that will go to 20hz vs 30.  

geoffkait:
"In the case of the much maligned CD not very much of the bass frequencies are coming through anyway so what’s the difference?"

Hello Mr. Rocket Science,

      True RS, most cds and vinyl recordings only contain summed mono bass from 20 to about 100 Hz but reproducing whatever bass there is on the source material with high fidelity is still important for an optimum listening experience.


Tim

jon_5912:
"Has anyone ever tried having a single big sub and a few more smaller ones? I'd think a single sub that goes to 20hz would be enough and then 3 smaller ones that only maybe go down to 30hz could be used to even out the response. Locate the big one in the best spot for very deep bass and the other three can even out the response from 30-80hz. There tends to be a huge price difference between subs that will go to 20hz vs 30."


Hello jon,
     Very good question.  I've never tried this myself but I don't believe there's any reason this wouldn't provide accurate, detailed, smooth and natural bass with deep bass extension down to 20 Hz.  I suspect, however, having only one sub extending down to 20 Hz might limit the power and impact heard and felt at that deep bass frequency.  But It may be possible to compensate by having the volume set higher on the sub that goes to 20 Hz or you could always use two and still be saving money, just a bit less.  
     You should also probably go look and hear some subs, 30 Hz sounds and feels quite deep and may be sufficient for some.


Tim