[Æ]

I love a system capable of aggressive punchy bass yet also delicate, articulate bass. This is my goal.

I don't know what you have as far as loudspeakers go, but try this simple experiment one day. Play some music as you normally would, something with bass that you enjoy. But in this instance temporarily disconnect, cover, or block the tweeters and listen to the music. What do you notice about the bass that is different? Do it a couple of times with and without the tweeters working. If you don't have tweeters because you listen to full range loudspeakers, use tone controls to temporarily cut the treble.

[Bob in St. Louis]

That is very good information.
Being full active, with multiple amps, I've had various opportunities to perform this experiment.
Both on purpose, and occasionally on accident because I forgot to flip the switch that runs the mains.

It's educational, that's for sure.
Bob

[Rclark]

I'll give that a try AE, thanks. I'll be starting my sub build next month, right now just using a ported 10.

You know, it's very easy to find calculators that you can plug in T/S for building sealed, ported, etc. But are you aware of a calculator I can use to model an OB sub? I have two sub drivers and want to try them in that alignment first.

[Quiet Earth]

One thing that I try to pay attention to when evaluating the balance of my speakers is the sound pressure level that I'm listening at. It's a good idea to have your SPL meter handy when you are evaluating the balance of your system because it seems like most recordings are mastered to bloom and sound "just right" at around 85dB avg. peak levels. It doesn't, matter how many watts or how many woofers you have, it will still be around 85dB.

Quite often when I think that my woofers aren't woofing just right, I'll pull the ol' SPL meter out and discover that I'm listening way below that 85dB avg. SPL level. I usually have to turn up the volume about 6 to 8 dB and sure enough...... there is the missing bass.