A Question Re: Tone

[Early B.]

Let's say you want to build a subwoofer. Ideally, should the sub have the same driver (or the larger size) of the midrange/woofer contained in the speakers in order to maintain the same tonal quality?

Sure, all subs go "boom," but they don't all sound alike. In full range speakers the midrange and the woofers are usually from the same "family," correct? So using the same logic, should you build a sub with the same family of drivers as your speakers? Or does it really matter?

Thanks.

[Zero]

Honestly Early - I very rarely see drivers of the same 'family' being used in most full-range designs....sans perhaps a few full range planars, electrostats, and ribbons. In the cones and domes world, it seems the most popular use of 'same family' drivers come from; Dynaudio/Seas/Scan-Speak.

I am glad that at least someone recognizes that not only is not all bass equal, but there is actually *tone* to it. Yes!

Idealy, you get similar characters from drivers of the same family... same materials, and typically a related motor that exhibits the same behavior.. only with a slight variation in 'speed'. With that said, it is 'ideal'..... but I wouldn't refer to it as a necessity.

[RuSsMaN]

Articulation and speed. My two main adjectives in the subwoofer realm.

Vandersteen and VMPS to name two. If they speak sans forked tounge, and can keep up with stats / ribbons - you're good to go with pretty much any speaker out there.

Cheers,
Russ

[Early B.]

OK, thanks fellas. Eventually I'm gonna need a high quality sub for my 2-channel system and I'm trying to determine whether or not I should build or buy. I'm off to do some more research.

[tryrrthg]

If you want to build a high quality sub for 2 channel, read up on dipole subs. It will likely be bigger than you want, because you need a lot of displacement. They are supposed to be the most musical subs out there, just like infinite baffle.

The next best choice would be to build the biggest box you can stand, and make a sealed sub with a good driver.

[TroyD]

As one that normally wouldn't consider a sub.....if you can find a Dahlquist DQ-1W (or whatever the designation is), I'd think about it. I seriously doubt that you could find a more musical woofer. It's passive so you would also need an amp and a crossover.

BDT

[Early B.]

If you want to build a high quality sub for 2 channel, read up on dipole subs. It will likely be bigger than you want, because you need a lot of displacement. They are supposed to be the most musical subs out there, just like infinite baffle.

The next best choice would be to build the biggest box you can stand, and make a sealed sub with a good driver.

It's gotta be a relatively small sub (or two small ones!) if I want the sub(s) to be in close proximity and along the same plane as the speakers. I've got signficant space constraints and WAF considerations. The sub can be a little larger if I place it in the corner on the other side of the room, but I prefer not to do that. Ideally, a good driver(s) in a sealed, rectangular box would work well for my setup.

Got a few questions, so I'll continue this discussion in the DIY section.