@douglas_schroeder --
To me passive cross-overs, by and large, have a thickening and dulling effect on the bass (and the remainder of the spectrum), so active configuration is one step towards better performance here.
Going on from here I have no qualms stating that high efficiency 15" drivers are the best compromise up through the lower midrange, not least relieved of low bass reproduction when high-passed actively. Arguably the very best scenario in the power region - again, to my mind - is loading a proper 15" HE driver in a simple-fold horn (i.e.: not all too many folds), actively; this way the bass to lower mids will have an effortless "twang," smoothness, texture and dynamics that's simply unparalleled by any other bass principle that I know of. A "proper" 15" HE driver for this type of horn loading is rare though these days, if they're made at all other than by boutique, small scale manufacturers. Horn loading this way lends you ~105dB sensitivity, so the (15") bass driver cone will barely move at all, even at very high SPL's - not least when high-passed down low - and that's exactly what you want to achieve: less cone movement with high efficiency and lots of displacement area, not to mention via good air coupling. The only midrange/HF solution that can match such a bass horn is another, preferably large horn and compression driver combo, so there you have it; that's my preference, though it's not to say I can't enjoy a range of other well set up speaker principles.
However, it still goes to show that the typical love for smaller diameter, lower efficiency and direct radiating drivers comes down to convenience and what's most widely available; not a true choice per se. Who have heard a big, folded bass horn loaded with a 15" HE driver in their home - not to mention even bigger horn subs? Close to none, and so the predominant bias away from this segment of speakers is founded in conjecture or that it simply doesn't exist, and not actual experience. Added of course to the mere thought of having such behemoths placed in a home environment, that will no doubt scare most away. That, at least, I'm sympathetic to, though the lack of all-out and to hell with practicalities and WAF is still to be lamented.
My favorites? None, if not set up well. Several, if set up well.
Over the years I am moving away from standard dynamic speaker towers. I am moving increasingly toward Open Baffle and Dipole (with or without subs). I can hardly stand the sound of a bass driver 8" or under; too earnest, too much popping of the driver when pushed. They just can’t handle LF and higher levels (Zero interest in arguing with people about this).
If you have poor amplification, you suck the life/quality out of the bass. If you have poorer cables, ditto. It’s a spectrum of performance, but also a spectrum of genres of bass technology - none of them definitively the best. YMMV
To me passive cross-overs, by and large, have a thickening and dulling effect on the bass (and the remainder of the spectrum), so active configuration is one step towards better performance here.
Going on from here I have no qualms stating that high efficiency 15" drivers are the best compromise up through the lower midrange, not least relieved of low bass reproduction when high-passed actively. Arguably the very best scenario in the power region - again, to my mind - is loading a proper 15" HE driver in a simple-fold horn (i.e.: not all too many folds), actively; this way the bass to lower mids will have an effortless "twang," smoothness, texture and dynamics that's simply unparalleled by any other bass principle that I know of. A "proper" 15" HE driver for this type of horn loading is rare though these days, if they're made at all other than by boutique, small scale manufacturers. Horn loading this way lends you ~105dB sensitivity, so the (15") bass driver cone will barely move at all, even at very high SPL's - not least when high-passed down low - and that's exactly what you want to achieve: less cone movement with high efficiency and lots of displacement area, not to mention via good air coupling. The only midrange/HF solution that can match such a bass horn is another, preferably large horn and compression driver combo, so there you have it; that's my preference, though it's not to say I can't enjoy a range of other well set up speaker principles.
However, it still goes to show that the typical love for smaller diameter, lower efficiency and direct radiating drivers comes down to convenience and what's most widely available; not a true choice per se. Who have heard a big, folded bass horn loaded with a 15" HE driver in their home - not to mention even bigger horn subs? Close to none, and so the predominant bias away from this segment of speakers is founded in conjecture or that it simply doesn't exist, and not actual experience. Added of course to the mere thought of having such behemoths placed in a home environment, that will no doubt scare most away. That, at least, I'm sympathetic to, though the lack of all-out and to hell with practicalities and WAF is still to be lamented.