I hope this thread can become a general discussion about infinite baffle subwoofer systems. I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject lately, on this website and others. I would like to initiate another discussion specifically centered around GR Research woofers and servo amps in a home theater setting. What I'd really like to get out of this discussion are the following major points, putting cost aside for the time being:
-What are the differences between a well done infinite baffle subwoofer system, and a well done ported or sealed array of subwoofers, in terms of sound, feel, etc? I've read about lack of box coloration, less punch, more open, etc. I'm hoping that someone who has heard both can put together a combination of adjectives that will allow me to grasp the concept.
-Is servo control as important of a feature in an IB system as it is in a sealed (or ported) system?
-How important is displacement when designing an IB system? Some of these guys are installing (4) or ( 8 ) 18" FI subwoofers with thousands of watts of power. While I'd sure like to hear one of these systems, I'd also like to know how much is really necessary. A better question might be how much more displacement is required when compared to the aforementioned "well done" sealed subwoofer system? If I can achieve satisfactory results with (2) 12" servo subs in boxes, do I need (4) 12" subs in an IB configuration to achieve satisfactory results? (I understand that "satisfactory" is a very subjective term, but I hope you understand my point)
-Do IB systems with servo control require less power than those without servo control (given a room with x number of square feet)?
I'm sure I'll have more as the discussion continues. Thanks for any input.
Chris