fatty matty

iTrader: (4)

All right - at first this sounds like a no brainer. WHen I mention that I am considering pulling my sub from my system people usually get a glazed look on their faces and start dialing the mental hospital to get me admitted.

But, I have recently set-up a 6 speaker front soundstage (midbass, midrange and tweeter in each door) and the range of good listening music is ALMOST as good as with my previous setup with no midbass driver and a sub. I think that if I put another matching midbass driver in the front doors I could live without the sub.

I know the debate is a matter of opinion as opposed to a matter of fact (obviously a sub will produce lower tones at higher db), so I just want to hear if anyone else has made the switch to a non-subwoofer set-up in their car and if they like it, and whether or not a second set of midbass speakers will maybe match the low frequencies of say, a ten inch sub??

THe set up I have in mind would have 2 Diamond audio hex 6.5s, 1 DIamond audio 5.25 and 1 tweeter in each door. The speakers will be run off of a 4 channel PPI amp that will give a total of 750 watts RMS total to these speakers. [img]graemlins/jammin.gif[/img] I currently have a diamond tdx 12 inch sub that I might take out for now...

[ September 28, 2005, 07:05 PM: Message edited by: fatty matty ]

Starterwiz

What are you building for an enclosure for those mid-bass?
In-car response down to 30 is possible if you get the install right.

fatty matty

iTrader: (4)

No enclosure plans - just doors that are sealed in Dynamat and B-Quiet. I wasn't sure how I could build an enclosure behind the metal of the door... but if it will make a serious difference then I will look into it.

Miluni

iTrader: (1)

I started dialing before i even clicked on the topic. jk but give it a try, otherwise you'll never know. the 6.5" speakers won't do much in low bass which is what some judges look for.

SUX 2BU

iTrader: (1)

^ Well said. The biggest thing you will miss is impact at higher volume.

JohnVroom

Numerous small drivers can be very satisfying in the mid to mid-bass region, and there is no reason the bulk of the sub-bass region cant be produced (this is typically addressed with crossovers in home audio). Below 60 Hz I do not think they will produce a lot of SPL and they would probably suk at the RTA... but as long as they dont break up or overload they should provide satisfaction (stay away from most organ music).
From the setup you describe:
I worry about cancellation in multiple driver setups.
I worry about all those drivers sharing the same (backwave) airspace in the door

Starterwiz

What kind of Vehicle are you driving?
Any chance of getting a real enclosure on the door?

I did a door with 6's and 4's in the same IB door, and the mids sucked large..

Worst case scenario, try to add those foam "baffles" behind the 5 1/4s to damp them down a bit.
If you have a good crossover, then focusing the amps power to the 6s between 30 and 80Hz, might let them crank quite loud, and still stay within their power band.
Some phase issues will likely occur between the 5s and 6's, but if you can get them in phase, you should be quite pleased.

[ October 01, 2005, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: Starterwiz ]

GrizZz

I'd try using the sub as a supplement as well...

After trying with no sub, hook it back up but set the crossover at 60... or 50... or even 40ish, and turn it's output down till it balances nice. You'll need some really phat music to set it well...

Sure, it's only playing half an octave or less, but it may be all you need, since the doors will be pumping out everything else...