Hi efficient speaker, bass problems

Phase is audible in the bass region only to the extent that it impacts frequency response. So when you hear a difference after adjusting the relative phase of your subs, or their distance relative to the mains, what you are hearing is the effect on the frequency response. - Audiokinesis

Ok Duke ... LOL, Hence Bass localization.

Now if you move the woofer outputs closer to mid ceiling the effect will be minimized to almost nothing.

Bass column-circa 1988

Regards,

My question for you guys is what is having the most affect on our perception? More even pressure front? Or simply better stereo effect?

I have experienced the localization Wes is talking about and at frequencies below 80 Hz, which is where some claim our ability to localize is severely diminished. Adding an additional sub has rectified this issue for many and adding second bass horn did the same for me. And I find both don't need to be driven as hard as a single.

Now if running tubes, subjectively there is some argument, tubes have poor damping and hence very little bass control to speak off , a sealed enclosure might be an advantage here, TL too , due to the loading.

Actually in practice the reverse is true. Vented boxes usually need less damping of the driver for optimal response if I have my theory right- so less damping from the amplifier will be needed. So you can have plety of bass control!

No speaker known requires a damping factor of above 20:1. That can be created by any tube amplifier, given enough feedback. However you pay a price for adding feedback- while you get more damping, you also add odd-ordered harmonic distortion, which essentially is audible as brightness and harshness.

So if you want tubes to give you the best they can offer, its in your best interest to use an amplifier without feedback, and a speaker that is intended for an amplifier with a higher output impedance.

The only thing about this is that loop feedback contributes to harshness in transistor amplifiers too. Since the ear/brain system uses the 5th, 7th and 9th harmonics as a means of determining how loud a sound is, messing with these harmonics will cause the system to sound louder than it really is, plus the odd orders are perceived as harshness. So there is a powerful argument for eliminating feedback altogether, as figuring out how loud a sound is is arguably one of the more important rules of human sound perception.

IOW, the model of an amplifier with an output impedance of zero ohms may not hold water, given other real-world issues. So designing a speaker for that may not make a lot of sense either.

It was certainly the case for me that an Atma-sphere S-30 gave me much improved bass over the solid state amp (Pass Aleph 30) I had previously, which had a much higher damping factor. With my 96 dB efficient drivers in a ported box, the Aleph overdamped my bass.

The BC ref1000m monoblocks I use have damping factor spec of 1000 I believe.

I use them with Dynaudio monitors and OHM Walsh speakers.

The OHMs in particular have a reputation as benefiting from high damping so this is something I sought specifically.

The bass is the most articulate and rewarding over-all I have ever had with both.

Damping is a useful spec to consider when attempting to match speakers to amp for best results.

Some speakers may benefit from high damping and others not, either by accident or design.