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I bought 4 subwoofers and I'm absolutely not doing a DBA! Hah!

I just received shipments of 4 subwoofer drivers and they will not be going into a distributed bass array. 

I'm replacing my left and right speaker stands with powering subwoofers with 2 subwoofer drivers each.  I call them powering because they will be powering the 2-way monitors that will sit on top.  Here's a beauty shot of the insides.

The amp has all the DSP power I could need to produce perfect speaker measurements.   I wonder if JA at Stereophile would wax poetically if I priced them high enough?? laugh

1744240613802.pngeriksquires · 2025-04-09 11:17 pm at 11:17 PM

erik_squires
kraftwerkturbo
362 posts
 

Another benefit of using a subwoofer amp (often done as 'plate amps'), and the very first reason I used mine (aside from beying ICE design, well working/sounding, powerful): The amp came with adjustable crossover frequency and volume control (unlike my other existing 'power amps'). So using it was a given; putting it NOT into the tight space (sealed) box of the sub was just gravy (more usable volume for given exterior dimensions)  AND easier to acomplish. 

But I guess the adjustable crossover frequency is also part of most receivers; in my case, I need to select 'small' speaker first, then I can select high pass and low pass frequencies. 

 

kraftwerkturbo
362 posts
 

@erik_squires  talking about 'air' and 'enlarged soundstage' with respect to subwoofers: "It's not about how many subs but about the sub to main speaker integration": how would you go about better 'intergration'? 

erik_squires OP
16,733 posts
 

@kraftwerkturbo 

The issue is getting smooth bass and seamless transition from sub to main speakers.  Personally I've solved that issue with a combination of floor to ceiling bass traps in the corners and EQ.

Others rely on multiple subs.

Of course the issue of good speaker and listener placement also matter.  The AM Acoustics room mode simulator is a good place to start.

The reality is that subs have 2 problems.  The room and the main speakers.  You must blend it into both at the same time and I know of no easy way to get around measurement.  The Distributed Bass Array is not to my mind easy, cheap or something everyone can implement, but it has it's fans for a reason.

erik_squires OP
16,733 posts
 

Reading the comments about amps I think the average reader doesn't unerstand that the amps I'm using are 3 channels of amplification plus digital signal processing.

While similar to the average subwoofer amp you'll find screwed onto the back of all active subwoofers the Hypex multi channel amplifiers do not have simple controls.  There's no knob to set the low pass or high pass or volume.  Everyth8ing is done by the crossover designer (me) with their application. 

In essence if you can imagine a miniDSP EQ and crossover plus several amplifiers built into a device that shares a single power cord you will have a better understanding.  These amps and others like them are the heart and soul of modern active loudspeakers.

erik_squires OP
16,733 posts
 

Ahem, $125,000 a pair for these.

Lordy.

 

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