Low freq. from small drivers? Is it possible


Can you get really low freq. (lets say 30 and down) from a small driver (~6 inch? What is the relationship between driver size and frequency? Most speakers today have went away from a large base driver (10 inches or more). Have we really come that far or is it really a compermize?

Any recomendations for smaller floor standers with good bass?

Thanks,

Dr. Ken
drken
Here is the Royd homepage if you are interested: http://www.roydaudio.com/main.htm
It is absolutely possible even without a port.
Karl E. Schuemann and the ultimate monitor have accomplished this very very well, at least in my system.
http://www.theultimatemonitor.com/default2.htm

Best Regards,
Michael Wolff
Yes, there are many speakers that can get to the 30hz range with those 6.5" drivers. VBT has a claimed frequency response of 18hz(-6db) with one of their subs using a 6.5" driver.

There are tradeoff though. A 6.5" driver generally can't play as loud as a 10" driver before breaking up. Second deep bass in small boxes generally means lower effeciency. So yep physics still applys.
The key is to move a large volumn of air. If long throw woofers are used then they don't need have as large diameter.
Speakers with only one 6 inch bass driver (mid-range really) are not going to move enough air for output into any room larger than a small car trunk even at 35hz.

Ported speakers only add SPL pretty much and are a poor choice for bass output IMO.

If you need (want) deep bass don't start out with a design that is compromised from the start....OR, you could say, don't send a boy to do a man's job.

Dave