On the modification of subwoofer frequency response...
Apr 10, 2021 10:28:56 GMT -5
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 10, 2021 10:28:56 GMT -5
My speculations rapidly exceed my knowledge on this topic, which is why I hope for feedback from KeithL and/or DYohn or their like.
Hypothesis:
This is a broadly reaching statement with many exceptions, but here goes: There are essentially two types of home subwoofer on the market; those intended for music and those intended for home theater. The former can be used for the latter purpose, but attempting to use the latter for music can create some issues.
The (hypothetical) differences between the two types would be these:
1. HT subs are often designed for maximum output
2. HT subs are generally designed with a strong resonant peak (usually about the port-tuning frequency) that increases overall output
3. HT subs are usually significantly more resonant than music subs (particularly around the peak frequency) in order to achieve maximum output
4. Music subs are designed for a flat frequency output across a wide range of frequencies and avoid resonant peaks as much as possible
5. Some music subs (but virtually no HT subs) use sealed enclosures to provide flatter response
6. Adequate HT subs can be had for as little as $150, whereas adequate music subs typically start at about $500
Now the uber-thrifty music lover could, theoretically, purchase a very inexpensive HT sub, and by equalization, create a flatter frequency response curve. My question is, assuming that someone attempted to do this, how much would the HT sub's strong port-frequency resonance interfere with the attempted equalization? Would the resonant HT design cause blur at the most strongly resonating frequencies, interfering with tone definition and bass crispness despite equalization?
Note that the majority of equalization used to flatten an otherwise resonant HT sub would be cuts to specific frequencies - not boosts. That would reduce distortion, but would also effectively reduce the effective overall sensitivity of the subwoofer, meaning that the sub's internal amplifier would have to work harder to match the satellite speakers. And obviously, the maximum output volume of the HT sub would drop precipitously because of the equalization.
But considering that music listening is typically done at a fraction of the volume of HT listening, should it be considered feasible to trick a HT sub (via equalization) into functioning well as a music subwoofer? And please don't tell me "just go buy the music sub for music." I've lots of friends whose family budgets don't stretch to 2.5x the price of a cheap sub. But a $50 Dayton equalization box could maybe be used to turn a cheap HT sub into something better for music?
Thanks - Boomzilla
Hypothesis:
This is a broadly reaching statement with many exceptions, but here goes: There are essentially two types of home subwoofer on the market; those intended for music and those intended for home theater. The former can be used for the latter purpose, but attempting to use the latter for music can create some issues.
The (hypothetical) differences between the two types would be these:
1. HT subs are often designed for maximum output
2. HT subs are generally designed with a strong resonant peak (usually about the port-tuning frequency) that increases overall output
3. HT subs are usually significantly more resonant than music subs (particularly around the peak frequency) in order to achieve maximum output
4. Music subs are designed for a flat frequency output across a wide range of frequencies and avoid resonant peaks as much as possible
5. Some music subs (but virtually no HT subs) use sealed enclosures to provide flatter response
6. Adequate HT subs can be had for as little as $150, whereas adequate music subs typically start at about $500
Now the uber-thrifty music lover could, theoretically, purchase a very inexpensive HT sub, and by equalization, create a flatter frequency response curve. My question is, assuming that someone attempted to do this, how much would the HT sub's strong port-frequency resonance interfere with the attempted equalization? Would the resonant HT design cause blur at the most strongly resonating frequencies, interfering with tone definition and bass crispness despite equalization?
Note that the majority of equalization used to flatten an otherwise resonant HT sub would be cuts to specific frequencies - not boosts. That would reduce distortion, but would also effectively reduce the effective overall sensitivity of the subwoofer, meaning that the sub's internal amplifier would have to work harder to match the satellite speakers. And obviously, the maximum output volume of the HT sub would drop precipitously because of the equalization.
But considering that music listening is typically done at a fraction of the volume of HT listening, should it be considered feasible to trick a HT sub (via equalization) into functioning well as a music subwoofer? And please don't tell me "just go buy the music sub for music." I've lots of friends whose family budgets don't stretch to 2.5x the price of a cheap sub. But a $50 Dayton equalization box could maybe be used to turn a cheap HT sub into something better for music?
Thanks - Boomzilla
