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Bass Driver Size - how much better is an extra inch?

Have older b&w speakers and bass drivers are 7 inches vs 804 d3 speakers that are 6 1/2.

the larger drivers seem to really open the sound stage, more open and less constrained.  Imaging of older speakers not as good but a very enjoyable listen.
Not sure why driver sizes tend to be smaller these days unless you pay a lot more.  Hear that most consumers want more compact mains so drivers are smaller.  Kinda sad.
emergingsoul
erik_squires
16,021 posts
 
The half inch, as a single metric, is irrelevant.

Much more important is the motor quality, room acoustics, and integration.

I know some 6 1/2" drivers I like a lot more than some 8"s. :0


emergingsoul OP
1,102 posts
 
Room fullness makes all the difference in the world, and with no distortion these simple things will rank a speaker very highly.  

High end brand names take notice.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,274 posts
 
Im not sure that Im tracking that last post...??

Anyhow, yes, 6” drivers, especially dual, can produce a good amount of bass if high quality.  But a high quality 6” driver vs the same high quality 10” driver, and the larger driver will put out more bass.  This is just physics, right?  More cone surface area...
jond's avatar
jond
5,763 posts
 
I went from two way monitors with a 6" woofer to two way monitors with a 8" woofer. Not only is there more bass but the quality of the bass changed. It seems more tuneful and resonant for lack of a better description.
bpoletti
1,551 posts
 
I use a pair of 18" drivers in a 14 x 27 x 8 1/2 ft room.  No complaints.  An extra inch would basically take the drivers up to 20" or 21".  Not sure that would make much difference.
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