Searching for matching(?) Subwoofer solution

Hi Folks,

I just posted this question to James Romeyn on his website and thought I'd ask it again on this forum to seek your wisdom as well:

What is the smallest room size recommended for use with the DEBRA/SWARM systems?

Also, does ceiling height have any effect?

Thanks,
Hans

Hello Hans,

     I recall James and Duke agreeing that the 4-sub distributed bass array(DBA) concept actually works very well in small rooms.  It's a bit ironic since multiple sub bass systems in small rooms are probably one of the least likely solutions most individuals would logically consider as a viable solution.  
     I don't believe there're set limits to domestic room sizes, floor materials or ceiling heights that a DEBRA/SWARM system will be effective in, it's more a matter of accommodating four 1' x 1' x 2' subs along the perimeter of the room facing the nearest wall.  The main goal, counterintuitively, is to get as many bass modes (peaks and dips) distributed throughout the room as possible and rely on our brain's normal functioning to create the perception of smooth, detailed  and natural bass that seamlessly blends with the main speakers. The concept works exceptionally well in virtually any room and with any pair of main speakers.  

     I think either James or Duke will offer an in-room home trial period, as James did for me, to make sure your room isn't one of the extremely rare rooms and systems it does not perform exceptionally well in. This makes it a very low risk purchase and it'll all be needless anyway since your room has no obvious issues. I'm fairly certain you'll be very glad if you decide to give either one a try.

Tim  

Actually, it might work better in a small room. Every dimension in a room makes difference but perhaps less so with multiple subwoofers.

mijostyn:"Actually, it might work better in a small room. Every dimension in a room makes difference but perhaps less so with multiple subwoofers."


  Hello Mike,
     
     I believe you're correct.  Very few people probably even consider, much less attempt, using multiple subs in a small room and are unaware this would be a good bass solution.

Tim


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" What is the smallest room size recommended for use with the DEBRA/SWARM systems? " 

This will be somewhat counter-intuitive, but a small room benefits more from a distributed multisub system than a large room does. The reason is, smaller rooms are correspondingly worse in the modal region and so they have more room for improvement! 

So the large room starts out better. Assuming equivalent multisub systems in both, the small room will improve more and "catch up" to the larger room somewhat, but I would expect the larger room to still sound better.

I think the lower room size limit is set by practicality... when you can just barely shoehorn four small subs into the room along with the rest of the system and yourself, you have found the smallest room size.

I’m working in a small-room optimized speaker system and surprise surprise it includes four small subs, two of which are built into the bottoms of the main speakers for the sake of practicality.

Duke