Geddes multiple subwoofer method - 3 subs vice 4


Geddes recommends 3 subs for optimal sound - a different perspective

 

Interesting video depicting Geddes philosophy on using subs. Also, he treats the main speakers as part of the bass solution and does not recommend using high pass filters as this takes away from the total bass capabilities of the entire speaker sub interface system. I am going to experiment this weekend. Also, a higher crossover frequency for the first sub collocated closer to the main speakers is new to me. Recommended above 100 hertz for the first sub and then incrementally lower for the 2nd and 3rd sub in an asymmetric pattern. 
 

I feel like the Geddes approach for sub integration closely resembles what I have been doing for years without even knowing this method. So, my 18” deep bass and 15” mid bass drivers on the field coil speakers become part of the solution instead of being taken out of the equation. That’s what I have been doing and that’s what I thought sounded best to me. Multiple ways to do sub integration but this method is the one that pretty mirrors how I have been doing it for years.

audioquest4life

@audioquest4life wrote:

I feel like the Geddes approach for sub integration closely resembles what I have been doing for years without even knowing this method. So, my 18” deep bass and 15” mid bass drivers on the field coil speakers become part of the solution instead of being taken out of the equation. That’s what I have been doing and that’s what I thought sounded best to me. Multiple ways to do sub integration but this method is the one that pretty mirrors how I have been doing it for years.

For your 15" and 18" woofers to have the "Geddes effect" they'd have needed to be properly spaced apart, and not placed in the same pair of speakers. What you can do however is using your no doubt great Classic Audio Loudspeakers in their intended full-range mode as two bass sources, and then add two subs placed along the opposing wall or side walls for a 4 bass source DBA. 

My subwoofers offer high pass connectivity and filtering. The manufactures instructions suggests:  

If your main amplifier has difficulty driving your main speakers bass to your satisfaction then give the subs high pass circuit a try.

If your main speakers are small and lack bass then give the subs high pass a try.

I love the way my amps drive my speakers low bass. A few of my older LP's simply sound better with the subs off.

Since these subs multi parameter, frequency band auto optimization does so well matching the speakers low frequency presentation, high pass filtering is noticeably wasted. Surprisingly, this decade old twenty minute optimization software quickly and easily solves much of todays hifi subwoofer setup and integration issues.     

 

Dear @phusis : Velodyne ( at least my HGS, not the DD models with Kevlar driver. ) were made for MUSIC sound reproduction systems and not HT where needs are different and especially on SPL.

The Velodyne aceleromete/servo ( patented. ) avoid that THD can goes over 0.5% and when it’s approaching that figure power gone lower but not the bass frequency.

 

I never had a problem with my HGS and maybe because my main speakers has 95db efficiency but I measured at my seat position ( near field. ) 97db SPL with peacks at around 105db and the bass range is fabolous.

I readed other reviews on the DD models where what you read it did not happens but at the ned the critical subject is to mantain ( for listen MUSIC not HT. ) the THD at minimum in the bass frequency range. This is the why of my post more than about thisor that sub.

 

In your link review we can read this ( HT ):

 

Batman Begins followed by the Dark Knight, both of which offer not only a very powerful and engaging audio track but also are enjoyable movies to watch. The master volume was set to -15 for the entirety of both films.

Throughout the various action and dramatic sequences of the films the DD18+ provided a stellar performance. Subtle background bass undertones were just that and when demanded the DD18+ provided a lot of power and room shake. On sections that contained deeply extended bass the DD18+ had generous extension that provided an extra feel or size to the sound that lesser subwoofers simply do not. As previously discussed the performance of the DD18+ as far as definition and ability to track notes is excellent. If there was any small caveat to the DD18+ performance it might be that it was not quite as sharply dynamic on a few parts as I recall they can be, the tumbler chase scene being one example, the gatling gun test, bankers shotgun blasts and the hospital explosion being others. My large listening room acoustics are such that it is very difficult for a single subwoofer, even a very capable and powerful one such as the DD18+, to handle alone so perhaps the DD18+ was being limited a little on a few extremely loud sections. Audio memory is a hazy thing at best so I can’t be sure and to be quite honest I’m stretching to find even that small caveat with the DD18+’s audible signature. It is that good. What I can be sure of is that the DD18+ always sounded composed throughout and easily produced one of the top performances that I have experienced from a single subwoofer in my room. Very deep bass was presented with apparent ease and fundamental tones or pitches of bass transients were spot on.  "

 

Not so bad as those measurements and the reviewer seats one DD-18 at 4 meters from his seat position, not near field.

 

R.

 

 

@phusis :  " Looking at the CEA-2010 maximum peak output of the DD18+ puts it in the upper middle range of all subwoofers ever tested and near the top of all sealed subwoofers. It produces output easily in excess of 110dB over the critical music range and offers impressive deep bass output as well mustering over 103dB at 20Hz and almost 99dB at 16Hz which is impressive for a sealed subwoofer. The DD18+ CEA-2010 output is amplifier limited above 20Hz and was distortion limited at and below that point. The DD18+ is the first commercial subwoofer that I have ever evaluated that was able to produce a CEA-2010 passing result at 10Hz. 86.1dB may not seem like much but any passing result at the 10 and 12.5Hz bands denotes rather prodigious deep bass output capabilities due to the amount of displacement involved to produce any meaningful output that low in frequency, not to mention that distortion must be under some amount of control as well. If distortion is ignored completely the DD18+ can almost muster 90dB at 10Hz. "

 

R.