Just one more bass driver?
October 31, 2008
I'm looking at buying a new set of loudspeakers from a
company that has about eight speakers in its line. They all look similar to me, except
they all seem to have one more bass driver than the model below them. Other than bass,
would there be any difference?
Juan
More bass, deeper bass, louder bass. With loudspeakers
you pay considerably more money to increase the speakers' bass capabilities. In some cases
all you're gaining by spending more money is some form of increased low-bass performance.
In other instances there may be more to it than that. For instance, sometimes as bass
drivers are added, a speaker may grow from a two-way design to a three-way design, or a
three-way to a four-way. This can mean increased power handling, and perhaps better sound
in the midbass and midrange, just to name two advantages of a more complex speaker. So in
the end, a greater number of bass drivers does mean more bass. That might be all you're
paying for. Then again, there may be other performance increases as well. If you could
hear the speakers it sure would help you decide how much more you're willing to pay for
that one or two more bass drivers -- and whether it's worth it at all.
Subwoofer level
October 27, 2008
How do I know if my subwoofer level is set correctly? I
have a pair of Wharfedale Diamond speakers and an NHT subwoofer. I am listening to mainly
two-channel audio, but I do have a home-theater set up with my Denon receiver. Is channel
balancing the same thing as level matching?
Parsons
In terms of what you're trying to accomplish, channel
balancing and level matching refer to the same thing. Essentially, you want to make sure
that your speakers’ and your subwoofer’s outputs are at the same levels -- as
measured acoustically. Your Denon receiver has a built-in test-tone generator that you can
use for this exercise. Using an SPL meter, like the one that you can find at RadioShack,
measure the level of your main speakers at the listening position (with only them playing)
and adjust the volume until the level on the meter is 80dB. Then play the subwoofer only
and adjust the level until it is also 80dB. The speakers and the subwoofer are then level
matched. One other note: Initially adjust the level control on the subwoofer to between
12:00 and 3:00, then use the level control on the Denon receiver to fine-tune it to that
80dB mark. Lastly, once the speakers and subwoofer are level matched, you’ll still
want to verify that the system sounds good. You can only do this by listening to it, so
put on some great music with low bass and see how it sounds. You may find that you need to
tweak the levels a dB or two to achieve just the sound you want.
Curious
October 20, 2008
I’m curious as to what you have coming up for review
on November 1. I’d like to see some speaker and subwoofer reviews. Thanks.
Ralph
You’re in luck. We have an Elemental Designs
subwoofer that retails for $350. But it’s not an 8”, 20-pound little thing -- it’s
a 12” sub that weighs 71 pounds. As for exactly how it sounds, you’ll have to
wait for the review. But it looks like it could be an outstanding value based on the specs
and price.
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