SW2 Mods: Finishing the job Ken Kantor started
jaz...@music.net
i have an NHT SW2Pi subwoofer system, and i was shocked and
disappointed to see that there is not a scrap of internal bracing to
be found in the box. also, it's built with 3/4'' MDF instead of 1''
like i hoped...well, at least it's MDF.
i basically want to replace the stock Peerless woofer with a much
stronger and more powerful cast-frame 4-ohm driver that is more of a
match for the excellent SA2 external power amp. i have a couple of
choices in mind that seem to match the existing box and port
geometries. the SA2 can supply 165w RMS power into a 4 ohm load, so
this sub (could, in theory) really kick butt. it's a wolf in sheep's
clothing.
i also want to add bracing to the box. since i have only a 10'' hole
to move pieces into, anybody have any suggestions?
when the mods are complete, i expect to transform this sub into a
monster. until then, NHT is shipping a high-end product in kit
form....and not supplying all the pieces!
Ken, thanks for the SA2! Shame about the SW2Si...
Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)
You mean he should have given you $2000 worth of woofer for $799.
There is no better woofer for $799, stop bitching :-)
Zip
jaz...@music.net
"Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)" <z...@sunshinestereo.com> stands
accused of saying:
>You mean he should have given you $2000 worth of woofer for $799.
>There is no better woofer for $799, stop bitching :-)
actually, i paid $649, and i'm simply comparing it to subs like the
Boston Acoustics' $400 CR400 and $600 VR500.
both the Boston boxes are e x t r e m e l y well braced, and BOTH
cost less than the SW2. i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
(at reasonable volume levels) for music.
but the VR500 spanks the stock SW2Pi for HT applications. sorry to
interject such facts in your "anything good would have cost $2000"
argument, sunshine.
explain then, using Sunshine logic, how they can offer the
(tremendous) SA2 amp for a measly $399? shouldn't that cost 5 grand?
when i'm finished, i'll ship my box back to NHT, and they can hear for
themselves how good it COULD have sounded for a couple of bucks in
lumber and wood glue...they are already shipping a whopping amplifier,
why not complete the package?
until i can balance a nickel on its side at 105 dB, i won't be
satisfied. right now, i can't even get 105dB without mondo bottom-outs
with the crummy Peerless driver. not a good showing for a sub with a
$799 list price. sorry to deliver such cold, hard, FACTS!
Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)
jaz...@music.net wrote:
> both the Boston boxes are e x t r e m e l y well braced, and BOTH
> cost less than the SW2. i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
> (at reasonable volume levels) for music.
i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
Dude,
Try reading what you wrote!
Zip
Daniel J. Weiss
If you're looking for a real bargain...try a REL sub
On Mon, 19 Jan 1998, Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.) wrote:
> >
> > Ken, thanks for the SA2! Shame about the SW2Si...
>
> You mean he should have given you $2000 worth of woofer for $799.
> There is no better woofer for $799, stop bitching :-)
> Zip
>
>
Johnny Y Boey
jaz...@music.net wrote:
>
> "Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)" <z...@sunshinestereo.com> stands
> accused of saying:
>
> >There is no better woofer for $799, stop bitching :-)
>
> Boston Acoustics' $400 CR400 and $600 VR500.
>
> cost less than the SW2.
so you took them apart too? When I touched the VR500, it also throbs
like crazy at high volume.
how they can offer the
> (tremendous) SA2 amp for a measly $399?
there is nothing spectacular about the amp except maybe the fact that it
includes flexible crossover. Class D design (adequate for woofer amps),
and feather weight.
JB
Johnny Y Boey
jaz...@music.net wrote:
>
> Johnny Y Boey <jb...@ix.netcom.com> stands accused of saying:
>
> >
> >there is nothing spectacular about the amp except maybe the fact that it
> >includes flexible crossover. Class D design (adequate for woofer amps),
> >and feather weight.
>
> power. gold plated everything.
>
Class G is crap except for woofers. It's 165W into 4ohm and 120W into
8ohm implies limited current capability. Gold-plated so what? It is also
a feather-weight amp.
> use it to drive a pair of bi-amped bad-asses like the VT-2's, and you
> have a rig that POSITIVELY sounds better than ANYTHING remotely in the
> price class. and better than most crap that's priced higher (Infinity,
> etc...) or drive two 8-ohm passive boxes in a big room for extra
> smooth response. or drive a single 4-ohm DVC driver in a single box,
> or..... get my point?
>
the VT2 is a boomy joke, a HT sellout from NHT. They are not even close
to a lot of Infinities, which obviously you have never even seen. BTW,
did you happen to buy those NHT from NG and mag opinions, and never
listen to anything else?
> 'bout the only thing I DON'T like is the crossover (18dB, not 24).
>
> for $399, i'd say that's pretty impressive.
Don't make me laugh. If you don't like the crossover, then there are
numerous better amps at $399 (including Arny's favorite pro amps) to
power the VT2's woofers.
JB
jaz...@music.net
>jaz...@music.net wrote:
>> both the Boston boxes are e x t r e m e l y well braced, and BOTH
>> cost less than the SW2. i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
>> (at reasonable volume levels) for music.
>
>i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
>i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
>i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
>i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
>i bought the NHT sub cause it sounded better
>
>Dude,
>Try reading what you wrote!
>Zip
(at reasonable volume levels) for music
(at reasonable volume levels) for music
(at reasonable volume levels) for music
(at reasonable volume levels) for music
(at reasonable volume levels) for music
Dude,
Try reading what I wrote!
Michael Nobilio
On Mon, 19 Jan 1998 06:30:12 GMT, jaz...@music.net wrote:
>
>i have an NHT SW2Pi subwoofer system, and i was shocked and
>disappointed to see that there is not a scrap of internal bracing to
>be found in the box. also, it's built with 3/4'' MDF instead of 1''
>like i hoped...well, at least it's MDF.
I wonder what the cost diff is to go from 3/4" to 1" MDF per 4x8'
sheet.
>i basically want to replace the stock Peerless woofer with a much
>stronger and more powerful cast-frame 4-ohm driver that is more of a
>match for the excellent SA2 external power amp. i have a couple of
>choices in mind that seem to match the existing box and port
>geometries. the SA2 can supply 165w RMS power into a 4 ohm load, so
>this sub (could, in theory) really kick butt. it's a wolf in sheep's
>clothing.
Just curious, how do you know the 'problem' is in the woofer, and not
the amp?
>i also want to add bracing to the box. since i have only a 10'' hole
>to move pieces into, anybody have any suggestions?
Not a pretty one, but it would stiffen the sides better than bracing.
Locate some epoxy and spread a film across the outer surface of the
sub, then add your 1" thick MDF. Now you have a 1 7/8" thick cabinet
wall (3/4" MDF + 1/8" laminate + 1" MDF).
Also, some other types of adhesive might provide better damping than
the epoxy.
But with that amount of work, it might be better to build a whole new
box. And then you'd be playing guessing games, as the original
enclosure (cabinet volume, port size/position, etc.) was hopefully
designed to perform optimally for the amplifier and driver shipped.
-Mike
---
AUDIO DEALERS: Looking to build/revamp a web site? Professional web developer
will trade services for gear. Don't promote your high-end shop, with a low-end
site. JavaScript, Dynamic HTML, Graphic Design, Logos, Animated GIFs, intuitive
designs, and ease of maintenence. Samples available. Delete all "x"s to reply.
jaz...@music.net
Johnny Y Boey <jb...@ix.netcom.com> stands accused of saying:
>
>there is nothing spectacular about the amp except maybe the fact that it
>includes flexible crossover. Class D design (adequate for woofer amps),
>and feather weight.
it's Class G, capable of 165w RMS into 4 ohms with 0.03% THD at full
power. gold plated everything.
use it to drive a pair of bi-amped bad-asses like the VT-2's, and you
have a rig that POSITIVELY sounds better than ANYTHING remotely in the
price class. and better than most crap that's priced higher (Infinity,
etc...) or drive two 8-ohm passive boxes in a big room for extra
smooth response. or drive a single 4-ohm DVC driver in a single box,
or..... get my point?
'bout the only thing I DON'T like is the crossover (18dB, not 24).
Sander deWaal
On Tue, 20 Jan 1998 02:33:45 GMT, jaz...@music.net wrote:
>it's Class G, capable of 165w RMS into 4 ohms with 0.03% THD at full
>power. gold plated everything.
I thought I knew something about amplifier topology,
but class G is new to me.
Can you explain what is is?
Thanks.
_
Sander deWaal
postm...@pegasus.demon.nl
______________________________________________________
Many real strides in technology and new inventions
came from backyard scientists and garage engineers,
hobbyists and tinkerers, et al. (Gabe Velez)
______________________________________________________
Edward Gianni
I bought this sub for the same reason you did - because it sounded better
(yes, at reasonable volume levels). If you are a jazz lover as your
e-mail name suggests, aren't you concerned that your mods could compromize
that wonderful musicality, even if you do increase it's slam for movies?
The most compelling evidence of the musicality is Edgar Myer's string bass
on the Appalachia Waltz CD with Mark O'Connor and Yo-Yo Ma. His low notes
are "to die for".
Ed Gianni
Ken Kantor
1- That Peerless 10" is one of the best woofers I have ever had
the pleasure of working with. If you find a better one that
works in a small vented box, let me know. I've sure looked.
2- If the box needed bracing, don't you think we would have
braced it???? There is no cabinet vibration problem with the
SW2 at all.
Instead of dicking with a carefully designed and built product,
why not build your own sub from scratch? That way you can test
your ideas and theories, and in the end compare directly to a
commercial design. Then you can sell the one you don't like!
--
www.anxioushippy.com
Vergence Technology, Inc.
jaz...@music.net
Ken Kantor <74000...@CompuServe.COM> stands accused of saying:
>1- That Peerless 10" is one of the best woofers I have ever had
>the pleasure of working with. If you find a better one that
>works in a small vented box, let me know. I've sure looked.
>
I'm surprised! I have a couple of drivers here that I have been
fooling around with, making reversible mods to the box for each. When
I'm finished tweaking, I'll post the mods. Suffice it to say that
doing nothing at all to the box but simply replacing the driver
transforms this box into a bonafide MONSTER! Still retains the
wonderful musicality of the stock box, but WHOA! get ready for some
serious HT punch with the LFE effects on discs like GoldenEye, T2, and
Contact. It used to respond with crackling bottom-outs, but now bass
hits you in the chest like a fist. Night and day difference, and I'm
just dicking around with stuff I have here. Imagine what the
braintrust out at NHT could come up with!
And since when did NHT let the lack of some other OEM driver stop them
from simply designing their OWN!?! SW3, SuperZero, SuperOne, etc.. ALL
contain NHT-designed drivers, don't they? Why not design a
butt-kicking 10 incher for the SW2?
>
>2- If the box needed bracing, don't you think we would have
>braced it???? There is no cabinet vibration problem with the
>SW2 at all.
>
What would you call a "problem", and why then would any brand ever
brace it's boxes? Hold your palm on it while watching the 5th Element
DVD...Goes numb after about 10 minutes. I'd call that a slight
vibration "situation", that clearly could be aided by a couple of
pieces of 10cent lumber inside the box.
Maybe the SW1 can skate it, but at the very LEAST I think you should
have made a double-thick front wall to mount the SW2 driver. I cant
imagine that adding more than a couple of bucks to the cost of
manufacture, and you could be sure that the Brent Butterworths of the
world would praise such "attention to detail that hallmark NHT's
products..."
I'm just trying to give you some direct customer feedback. Most people
with subs probably wouldn't consider the SW2's vibration tendencies to
be a problem, but people who seek out boutique lines like NHT WILL
care, and believe they are paying premium prices for such products
because they are well engineered and sometimes even over-engineered. I
think the SW2Si falls a bit short of such lofty audiophile
expectations....especially when the solutions to its weaknesses are so
cheap and low-tech. Nobody's asking for you to double the power of the
amp, or something. Just a box that can balance a nickel on its side at
105 dB! :D
>
>Instead of dicking with a carefully designed and built product,
>why not build your own sub from scratch? That way you can test
>your ideas and theories, and in the end compare directly to a
>commercial design. Then you can sell the one you don't like!
>
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of
giants." -- Isaac Newton
I could not build a box as good as the SW2Si. I don't have the tools
or the woodworking skills to produce such a product. Even if I did, I
would not consider it a worthwhile investment of my time and effort
sanding, glueing, laminating, routing... yuck! That's why I want to
BUY audiophile-grade stuff from NHT! However, that doesn't mean that
I'll just be happy with anything since it's better than what I could
have built. I have a crappy mono-VCR, but I couldn't design/build a
better one!
"That stuff's not my bag, baby!" -- Austin Powers
Jay B. Haider
On Thu, 22 Jan 1998 05:57:10 GMT, jaz...@music.net wrote:
>I'm surprised! I have a couple of drivers here that I have been
>fooling around with, making reversible mods to the box for each. When
>I'm finished tweaking, I'll post the mods. Suffice it to say that
>doing nothing at all to the box but simply replacing the driver
>transforms this box into a bonafide MONSTER! Still retains the
>wonderful musicality of the stock box, but WHOA! get ready for some
>serious HT punch with the LFE effects on discs like GoldenEye, T2, and
>Contact. It used to respond with crackling bottom-outs, but now bass
>hits you in the chest like a fist. Night and day difference, and I'm
>just dicking around with stuff I have here. Imagine what the
>braintrust out at NHT could come up with!
Perhaps your new subwoofer has much more output in the 'hit' range
(really about 60-100 Hz) and less true deep bass than the original
NHT. Just a thought, a purely speculative one at that. What driver did
you put in it, and what are it's T/S parameters?
>Why not design a butt-kicking 10 incher for the SW2?
Because they were waiting for the 2.9! 8)
Jay B. Haider
Class of 2000, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs (Georgia Tech)
"When you're wrong, don't be upset, but rather rejoice, for you're
about to learn something." -Dr James Herod
"Vanity; stupidity; duplicity; lack of ability: these need not impede
a successful political career" - Bagehot, from "The Economist"
Johnny Y Boey
jaz...@music.net wrote:
> And since when did NHT let the lack of some other OEM driver stop them
> from simply designing their OWN!?!
Then it wouldn't be selling for $400.
SW3, SuperZero, SuperOne, etc.. ALL
> contain NHT-designed drivers, don't they?
The 1259? Don't think so.
and you could be sure that the Brent Butterworths of the
> world would praise such "attention to detail that hallmark NHT's
> products..."
>
actually the Superones are just simple and not much attention to detail
to speak of. But for $350, can you believe the sound...
> I'm just trying to give you some direct customer feedback. Most people
> with subs probably wouldn't consider the SW2's vibration tendencies to
> be a problem, but people who seek out boutique lines like NHT WILL
> care, and believe they are paying premium prices for such products
> because they are well engineered and sometimes even over-engineered.
You can't expect much for $400 list. If you want over-engineered subs,
check out Genesis and Wilson.
JB
Johnny Y Boey
> >
> >> And since when did NHT let the lack of some other OEM driver stop them
> >> from simply designing their OWN!?!
> >
> >
> >Then it wouldn't be selling for $400.
> >
> 400, the box is 250. That's discounted. It lists for $799.
>
No no no, the SW2pi lists for $800. I am talking about the SW2s passive
box, which lists for $400.
> >actually the Superones are just simple and not much attention to detail
> >to speak of. But for $350, can you believe the sound...
>
> i'd bet Ken Kantor would tell you a different tale. Ever designed a
> tweeter? me neither. i'd bet it takes enormous attention to detail.
>
It's a simple tweeter as well as all the parts on the S1. Put together,
the sound is tremendous for $350.
JB
jaz...@music.net
Johnny Y Boey <jb...@ix.netcom.com> stands accused of saying:
>jaz...@music.net wrote:
>
>> And since when did NHT let the lack of some other OEM driver stop them
>> from simply designing their OWN!?!
>
>
>Then it wouldn't be selling for $400.
>
what's selling for 400? the SW2? Wow, I'll buy 10, please. The amp is
400, the box is 250. That's discounted. It lists for $799.
>
>
>SW3, SuperZero, SuperOne, etc.. ALL
>> contain NHT-designed drivers, don't they?
>
>
>The 1259? Don't think so.
The NHT1259 is not NHT's? Call the lawyers!
>
>actually the Superones are just simple and not much attention to detail
>to speak of. But for $350, can you believe the sound...
i'd bet Ken Kantor would tell you a different tale. Ever designed a
tweeter? me neither. i'd bet it takes enormous attention to detail.
>
>You can't expect much for $400 list. If you want over-engineered subs,
>check out Genesis and Wilson.
agreed, but for $799, i expect a lot. The SW2Pi doesn't deliver the
goods for a product in this category. nice, but not the value-packed
product NHT is otherwise famous for.
Andrew
jaz...@music.net wrote:
> I'm surprised! I have a couple of drivers here that I have been
> fooling around with, making reversible mods to the box for each. When
> I'm finished tweaking, I'll post the mods. Suffice it to say that
> What would you call a "problem", and why then would any brand ever
> brace it's boxes? Hold your palm on it while watching the 5th Element
> DVD...Goes numb after about 10 minutes. I'd call that a slight
> vibration "situation", that clearly could be aided by a couple of
> pieces of 10cent lumber inside the box.
Etc.....
You know if you're so smart and such an expert sub builder, why don't
you start building your own commercially and put NHT out of business?
Ken has a good point.. why not build your own instead of messing with
everyone else's.. I"m sure with enoguh labor and money you could modify
any sub or speaker.. but by the time you're done it won't have much
resembelence to the orignal.. so what's the point? Go get your own
drivers, your own 1" MDF, your own extra bracing, and so on.. Somehow I
don't think you'll be able to put together a sub as good as the NHT for
the same money (including time and labor costs if you had to pay someone
do build them in production). I don't even pretend to be a speaker
expert but I do know Ken knows a damn good thing or two about building
them especially at certian pricepoints so if you think you can build
something better for less go for it.. otherwise give it a rest .. what's
next, are you going to tell Velodyne and HSU they could do much better
too? (keeping in mind cost IS a factor) Just my 2 cents here..
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew "Drew" A. Edmonds
E-Mail, wesly (at) mail.com, http://www.cia-g.com/~wesly
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Pavlov
Andrew (REMOVET...@mail.com) wrote:
:
: You know if you're so smart and such an expert sub builder, why don't
: you start building your own commercially and put NHT out of business?
: Ken has a good point.. why not build your own instead of messing with
: everyone else's.. I"m sure with enoguh labor and money you could modify
: any sub or speaker.. but by the time you're done it won't have much
: resembelence to the orignal.. so what's the point? ....
:
The point seems to be that he's having fun and he might
actually be learning something (as opposed to "learning"
the latest specs, prices, and opinions in reviews). It
sounds like he is doing the same thing that car and
motorcycle hobbysits have been doing for years and that
audiophiles did as a matter of course 30-40 years ago.
Has the commercial audio product become so sacrosant that
one dares not to try to improve it or question its
design ??
: ... what's
: next, are you going to tell Velodyne and HSU they could do much better
: too? (keeping in mind cost IS a factor) Just my 2 cents here..
Why not ? If he's wrong, he's wrong. Then again he might
not be. Either way it's not very important in the overall
scheme of things.
greg pavlov
[not affiliated with Canisius College]
zzz...@xxxxxx.comikaze
JazzCat,
I'm not familiar with the NHT subs to know whether or not they come
equipped with spikes. But if you do not have spikes on your SW2, then I
would say you will never eliminate the cabinet's vibration to the extent
that you can balance a coin during full volume performances. If the sub
did not come with spikes, buy some.
Chris Hart
email: chrishart1 at aol.com
Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)
zzz...@xxxxxx.comikaze wrote:
>
> JazzCat,
>
> I'm not familiar with the NHT subs to know whether or not they come
> equipped with spikes. But if you do not have spikes on your SW2, then I
> would say you will never eliminate the cabinet's vibration to the extent
> that you can balance a coin during full volume performances. If the sub
> did not come with spikes, buy some.
Put Spikes or shaarp cones under the woofer and a 25 pound bag of sand
on top of it! Vive la difference!!!
Zip
Sunshine Stereo, Inc
Tel: 305-757-9358 Fax: 305-757-1367
9535 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami Shores, FL 33138
PASS Labs Carver Lightstar CODA Jadis Audible Illusions
Camelot Technology Audio Logic CEC Parasound Kinergetics
Chiro Benz Micro Gallo Acoustics Dunlavy Audio NEAR NHT
Cabasse Niles Zenith INTEQ Crystal Vision Straightwire
Rega Cleanlines by Vans Evers ENTECH by Monster Cable ESP
And a whole lot more :-)
Steve & Gigi want you to ENJOY THE MUSIC!
DO NOT USE COMPUSERVE
THEY RIPPED US OFF FOR TWO YEARS SERVICE
They told us to take a hike
NEVER USE COMPUSERVE
Edward J. Pugacz
Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.) wrote:
>
> zzz...@xxxxxx.comikaze wrote:
> >
> > JazzCat,
> >
> > I'm not familiar with the NHT subs to know whether or not they come
> > equipped with spikes. But if you do not have spikes on your SW2, then I
> > would say you will never eliminate the cabinet's vibration to the extent
> > that you can balance a coin during full volume performances. If the sub
> > did not come with spikes, buy some.
>
> Put Spikes or shaarp cones under the woofer and a 25 pound bag of sand
> on top of it! Vive la difference!!!
> Zip
>
Instead of the bag of sand, try a nice thick piece of polished marble or
granite, coupled liberally with some blue tack or other such material.
Much better WAF!
Brian McCarty
In article <zzzzzz-2701...@p04-40.hartford.dialin.ntplx.com>,
zzz...@xxxxxx.comikaze wrote:
> JazzCat,
>
> But if you do not have spikes on your SW2, then I
> would say you will never eliminate the cabinet's vibration to the extent
> that you can balance a coin during full volume performances. If the sub
> did not come with spikes, buy some.
>
It has yet to be explained by anyone why "eliminating the cabinet's
vibration" would make any demonstrable change or "improvement" in the
sound.
Save your dough.
Sunshine Stereo, Inc. (Steve Zipser)
Brian:
You are only half right here, which is pretty good for you. To put
spikes under a speaker and to put some heavy weight on top to damp the
cabinet costs peanuts. These mods can improve the sound of the woofer -
sometimes it improves them demonstrably, sometimes not at all.
Of course, if we are talking about Bose subs, then you are correct.
They do not go deep enough in the bass and their definition is too
mediocre for the improvements to be audible.
Cheers
Zip
zzz...@xxxxxx.comikaze
"Steve Zipser (Sunshine Stereo, Inc.)" <z...@sunshinestereo.com> wrote:
> Put Spikes or shaarp cones under the woofer and a 25 pound bag of sand
> on top of it! Vive la difference!!!
Indeed. The extra weight will certainly help those spikes do their job.
--
jaz...@music.net
opera...@worldjazz.com (Brian McCarty) stands accused of saying:
>It has yet to be explained by anyone why "eliminating the cabinet's
>vibration" would make any demonstrable change or "improvement" in the
>sound.
>
the idea is for the energy in the voice coil to move the speaker cone,
which in turn creates sound waves in the surrounding air.
anything that hinders/detracts from this pure tranfer of energy will
result in less than optimum operation.
if a driver is causing the speaker cabinet to vibrate, it WILL color
the sound. a violin body or acoustic guitars are examples of
"cabinets" producing audible sonic energy when excited by external
sources (strings). therefore, since the only sound we want to hear
from a speaker is the sound made from the driver itself, a vibrating
cabinet is a Really Bad Thing (tm). the face of the cabinet that
houses the driver is ideally much thicker and heavily braced than the
surrounding walls to avoid coloration created by the woofer's violent
action flexing and vibrating the face.
similarly, good drivers designed for subwoofing will be designed
around a strong frame that wont flex under the strain caused by the
tremendous forces being generated by the cone's movement. a flexing
frame will distort the shape of the cone. another example of unwanted
sonic coloration. typically cheap drivers will use a simple stamped
frame, which may or may not be strong enough to avoid flexing. better
drivers will typically be designed with a cast frame. the cast mold is
designed to minimize axial flex. i suppose there could be a super
high-end frame that is actually FORGED, but i have never heard of a
forged-frame driver. who knows?
finally, even well-designed speakers need to be secured in place. much
like the recoil of a rifle when a shot is fired, a poorly anchored
speaker is "recoiling" backward for every forward action of the
driver. heavy stands filled with lead shot or sand, are examples of
practical measures taken to minimize this effect.
basically, it all sums up to the fact that you want as much of the
original electrical signal to be converted to sound energy by the
DRIVER ONLY! anything else that is dissipating energy (cabinet walls,
swaying speaker boxes, etc..) is to be designed out entirely, or more
practially, kept from distorting and coloring the sound that IS being
produced by the driver.
the whole thread started by my complaint that the NHT SW2Pi subwoofer
system, a $799 system, has very little anti-coloration features in
stock form. for this price, it very well should have at LEAST internal
bracing.
Johnny Y Boey
jaz...@music.net wrote:
> the whole thread started by my complaint that the NHT SW2Pi subwoofer
> system, a $799 system, has very little anti-coloration features in
> stock form. for this price, it very well should have at LEAST internal
> bracing.
actually the sub itself only costs $400 list. And there is no $400 sub in
the market that is well-braced.