size of the driver

05-01-12: Waj4all
>I wonder as to whether the experts in this thread would have a theory as to why the double-stacking of small speakers causes a subjective increase in the robustness of lower-midrange tones? This has been my experience, and I've seen where others have spoken of this phenomenon.

Wave lengths are longer at lower frequencies so the path length differences in the direct sound and reflections result in a lesser phase shift compared to the higher frequencies so the lower frequencies sum closer to +6dB compared a single speaker while the higher frequencies have lesser gains and even some comb filtering.

>And similarly, is it a fact that large mid-woofers are intrinsically more robust or warm at lower-mids than small-coned designs, perhaps, because of the same surface-area effect?

No.

Waj4all:
After all, the headphone (just as the small speaker) measures flat thru-out its frequency-range, as is apparent in close proximity (i.e. clamped to the ears). But then, any distance between the 'phone and listener causes it to sound more like a tweeter. All frequencies are being reproduced, but the small surface-area of the 'phone's drivers is incapable of coupling enough air to transmit the lower frequencies (i.e. below treble) to the listener.

Yes. it comes down to coupling the bass output to the room size. Even a pair of Wilson Alexandria XLF's would sound bass-shy outdoors. Perhaps preferred woofer sizes are related to customary listening room sizes.

"However, for those whose first-priority is realism, seeking to combine the fore-mentioned attributes with truly realistic tone, the choice seems to be limited to relatively scarce systems with large mid-woofers (dynamism is another benefit that, more often than not, comes with most of the existing large-coned examples)."

In larger rooms, larger drivers or multiple drivers would seem to be the options.

"So I guess the choice between the large and the small driver all comes down to; which attributes are more important to the individual. It's a matter of 'picking your poison', in other words, I suppose."

No doubt about the picking your poison (or pleasure, however one might term it ) part. Personally, I like sound best when it has what I often refer to as "meat on the bones" along with all the rest. Larger or multiple drivers usually accompanied by larger and heavier enclosures are two ways to potentially accomplish that .

I run multiple speakers in multiple rooms ranging in size from 12X12 to 20X34. My smaller speakers work well in teh smaller rooms and the larger ones can as well but only the larger ones can cut it in the larger rooms.

ITs no mystery why in virtually every line of speakers, the larger better built ones tend to cost the most. True even of exclusive high end lines like Magico, I believe. But not everyone needs or can even afford those.

Most people would love to have a Lamborghini but practically settle for Toyotas.