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Normal Practice To Use 6 1/2" Sub With 8" Speaker?

I have a PMC TLE1 subwoofer with dual 6 1/2" drivers and speakers with 8" drivers. I am thinking whether it is a norm to combine subwoofers with speakers that have bigger drivers. The PMC subwoofer with smaller drivers goes down flat to 22Hz while the speaker with bigger drivers goes down to 40Hz+/-3dB. I am just curious since my impression is it is more appropriate to use subwoofers with a driver size that is at least similar or larger than the speaker's driver apart from looking at the specifications.

In my case I reckon it is technically acceptable to hook up the sub to the speakers since it does go down lower than the speakers? I just feel a little awkward using a sub that has smaller drivers compared to the main speakers although the results can be good(I think).

Any advice would be appreciated.
ryder

Showing 2 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
Large drivers do not dictate the quality of bass you hear in either 2 channel or home theatre

Perhaps not but they sure determine the quantity of good quality bass. Only large drivers (several of them) will get you up into the 110 db SPL at 20 Hz with low distortion.
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
Computer programs that accurately model the bass response of loudspeakers do not use cone diameter for anything other than calculating maximum SPL.

Exactly - that is where large woofers or several large woofers become important. And at low frequencies where hearing is much less sensitive it is generally obligatory to have very large woofer(s) in order to achieve SPL's greater than 100 db at 20Hz with minimal distortion. However, in a good design, with a high quality driver, a 6 inch woofer can do a pretty darn good job down to about 60 Hz - just don't expect miracles that defy the laws of physics. (Anyone with 6 inch woofers on their main speakers must have seen the remarkable excursions that they do when playing bass heavy music and these large excursions means that a fair portion of what you hear is distortion)
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