[scorpion]

Martin,

I think you underestimate B200's performance. That element can be made to sound very good.
However I side with you in the case of the Alfas. Here in Europe I can by the Alfa for less than 1/3rd of what an Augie would cost me.
You also have to consider the baffles. With 40" path difference for the front and backwave one Alfa would give exactly 100 dB max at 40 Hz in half-space according to Linkwitz' Excel-calculator. Martin, It just struck me that I do not need to educate you on simulations.

/Erling

[MJK]

Erling,

With 40" path difference for the front and backwave one Alfa would give exactly 100 dB

Yes, and i think you will need that type of efficiency to compliment the B200.  If the woofer efficiency is 89 dB it is not going to be loud enough for the B200.

It just struck me that I do not need to educate you on simulations.

I'll take a lesson in simulations from any place I can learn, I am not choosy whne it come to education.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Yes, and i think you will need that type of efficiency to compliment the B200.  If the woofer efficiency is 89 dB it is not going to be loud enough for the B200.

Wouldn't it be ok in a bi-amped set-up?   

Bob

[MJK]

For those who want the manufacturer's opinion of the trade-offs between the Alpha and Augie, you can read the following thread on his forum.

http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=403&sid=ccf63c320b00d3250fe58166fc5f9d86

He provides what he feels are the positives for the Augie without really presenting the positives for going the Alpha route.  Keeping in mind that he is the manufacturer, his opinions are still interesting to read.  I think Brad liked what he had to say.

[MJK]

Hi Bob,

Wouldn't it be ok in a bi-amped set-up?

Absolutely, bi-amping would be the way to go in my opinion.  But you still need to find a way to get the Augie's 89 dB efficiency up to the B200's mid 90's efficiency and still add more bass to overcome the bass roll-off due to the baffle size.  If you have enough power for the Augie and it will handle the deflections required I don't see any reason that this would not work.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Ok Martin Thanks.
I planning on 450 watts from a pro amp for the Augies, 90 wpc for the SI's.
No fancy EQ, just a nice modern receiver that I can push a few buttons on to achieve proper bass.

Bob