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I concur - mechanical compression may play a role depending entirely on what speakers you're referring to. Thermal is less of an issue...unless you plan to sit down to a fun filled evening of test tones at full volume. So are we talking $200/pair speakers here or $2000 or more? Lower crossover frequencies are great if your mains are up to the task of playing flat down to 40 or 50hz.

Scott

 

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I agree - i simply didn't know what range of speakers you were referring to. I think active crossovers can be a tool to help you figure out crossover points, slopes and methodology but i'm still a fan of passive. Once you get it right there's no need to change it up.

What's your home system comprised of?

Scott

 

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... not sure I am buying what your selling, I agree with the positive attributes of an efficient system but I dont treat it as a necessity nor is it the only way to get to the SPL you mention. And for the record that is serious SPL and could easily cause hearing damage and pissed neighbors (I would call that a lease breaker). Less efficient systems, assuming they can absorb the power and not overload, simply need more amplification to reach the levels you mention. I have great love for single ended triode systems as well as my 400 watt per channel amps, I like dynamics and full range SPL

I have no idea why you included the link to GB WI sub-woofers unless we are talking about SUB-bass not full range sound and then I would disagree even more.

 

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OK actually looking at the specs from the GB WI company (I guess its in Green Bay, hard to trust web sites)... not subwoofers duh I was misled by baskets very similar to a dozen others used for subs.

never heard of AE though, which means little but makes me curious (in a good way)

Interesting topic, never gave it much thought... why speakers sonically compress. Certain speakers seem to excel at volume while others fall down (duntech soverans were the first I heard that just loved to be played at lifelike volumes). I think it is a given some speakers were never meant to go loud while others give the option, yet both can demand top dollar (doesnt seem like a difficult purchase decision if volume is a goal). I have never heard a Wilson Audio speaker system demoed at volume, they seem to do well at chamber and xylophone I liked their WATT and WHAM (MAXX has left me unimpressed) so I have no idea why they use large drivers... because they represent wretched excess?

not sure about the clipping being worse for hearing damage thing though, I am pretty sure 105 dB is 105 dB regardless of the quality as far as biological damage goes.

 

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*** is ok for DIY. ******** is pretty good and actually ******** has a good forum for DIY speakers. I've been at this for just shy of 20 years and have made a number of speaker systems...not all of them great and some never turned out at all!

So Matt...what do you use to design your speakers?

Scott