seamus

I meant the whole purpose in terms of 2-way bass and processing negatively effecting the sound. I havent had a chance to check out the studies on preferred response curves that Ric mentioned (I'm assuming they are in the aes library). I have been semi wittingly targeting something similar to the house curve when deploying my old system. Is it a good idea to target a curve (that isn't flat) when designing a cabinet? Or is it a matter of the ratio of cabinets deployed and dsp. Our sweet spot for the old system was 8 x bass horns and 4 x 3-way horn loaded tops. Thanks for the detailed response its appreciated.

Hey SME, that was something I was worried about having crossovers in that fun zone causing phases issues between the cabs defeating the whole purpose. Would you say that a 21" sub covering 30 - 100hz ish necessarily sounds better than splitting that range between sub and bass cabs? I have some 15" fane drivers laying about so I'm going to design a low mid/upper bass horn (i'd assume to be in the range of 70 - 250hz). I'll post on the forum. Bellow that I'll try and come up with a sub design down to 30 or just build some skrams. Is that still too 2-way bass do you think? could try and tune the 15s a bit higher.

Thanks Ricci, really appreciate your insight. What you've said clarifies what I have been thinking. I understand that 2-way will sacrifice low end output. Thanks again

Let me rephrase. On the basis that a narrower band equals more efficiency will a 2-way bass system be perceived as being more powerful?

Hi Ricci, Thanks for your response. Great designs by btw. It could just be that I haven't heard enough 6th bph type subs stacked up but it seems to me that they don't kick as hard in the 80 - 150hz ish range. Hence why I was considering going the 2-way route. Do you think that there could be any benefit of a 2-way bass system when it comes to nailing that 60-100hz and 30hz ranges equally? Or is it a pointless exercise and just stack up more subs.

I have been experimenting with 6th order BPH designs for subs that go low (hit 30hz with authority) to compliment a stack of short bass horns. The subs would be a 2 x 21 from about 30 - 60hz, bass horns would 2 x 18 from 50 - 150hz and the tops will be some sort of 3 way (think F1 evo7/res5 or danley sh50). My question is does having subs + bass + kicks/low mid horns servicing narrow bands introduce too many potential complications (horn lengths, phase etc...). I've always had systems with bass horns and love the sound. When coupled they kick like mule and fidelity is great. The issue is they never went low enough no matter how many I brought to the venue. I used to haul around 10 Cerwin Vega earthquakes and my friend would bring 12 TSW124 (we like horns). Anyway i'd love to keep the horns belting hence the idea of having a narrow band sub underneath them. However I'm wondering if its a better idea to use a sub that goes up to the 100hz range and use the low mid in the tops to meet them (likely a 15" or 12" driver). Thanks!