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Is the ideal multi-way a 3-way with limited bass?

Hear me out here.

3 way speakers with the traditional large woofer benefit from high bass output, and improved midrange clarity due to the lack of Doppler distortion affecting the mids, but with a lot of modest listening areas the big woofer can also be detrimental.  They produce too much bass, which together with room gain and room modes causes flabby and exaggerated bass.
So, lacking ARC or EQ capabilities perhaps the best compromise for the purist is to have a big woofer 3-way but with a limited -3 dB point, say 45 Hz or so.


erik_squires

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires OP
16,677 posts
 
Hi @jamesbgood

Yes, that works really really well. I’ve gotten to hear Vandersteens with the built in EQ/subwoofer and as far as I can remember, they are the ONLY full sized floor standing speaker I’ve ever heard worth a damn in a hotel room.

I have personally had really good results with a sub/eq and bass traps in a room as well, but what a giant PITA to set up right.  I doubt most people can consistently achieve such good results.

Best,

Erik
erik_squires OP
16,677 posts
 
Wait wait, last week we were all schooled that all speakers sound exactly the same.  Now we are being educated in how different speakers sound different depending on how they are built?

When will the madness end??
erik_squires OP
16,677 posts
 
By the way @douglas_schroeder, the best way to counter any narratives you might perceive from me is to counter with your own experiences.

Always happy to hear first hand success stories from other audiophiles.
erik_squires OP
16,677 posts
 
Doug:

I'm actually trying to talk about what right-sized speakers are when we are outside of anechoic chambers.

Deep, powerful, low distortion bass is more than about inches.  This particular thread is not about small speakers, actually.  It's about large speakers with limited bass specs. 
Buyers focus too much on -3 dB points being lower, without considering the room and modes.  A speaker with a big 12" woofer(s), but high-ish -3dB point might actually be ideal.  
Best,
E
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