[Mike-48]

I'm contemplating adding Tact corner woofers (W210) to my system, which uses a 14B SST.  Since the usual procedure is to cross over to the TacT woofers at a frequency well into the audio band (say 400-500 Hz), I've concluded I should use a similar Bryston amp to keep the overall sound the same as on the main speakers.

So my question is, if I use something in the 2B SST to 4B SST, range, will I be on the right track?  Are these essentially lower powered versions of the 14B SST?

(Crossover will be handled by the Tact 2.2X.)

[kfr01]

Woofers in the corners not crossed over until 400 or 500hz?  Sounds strange - like the chance of things not sounding cohesive is very high.  Anyway, I know this isn't a constructive comment, but I'm honestly curious, what's the design motivation behind that one?

I'm sure Tact's answer is that the Tact device uses processing to compensates for the time / phase problems created by such a design.  But doesn't it make more sense to have the starting speaker design be as close to ideal as possible before trying to fix problems with processing power.

It seems like moving one's head to the left or right a few feet might totally throw such a processed system off since the actual radiating devices are presumably very far separated.  i.e., won't it be very possible to localize frequencies above 100hz to the subwoofer box off in the corner at the many spots in the room where the Tact processing isn't being applied?

If you have a link explaining Tact's philosophy, please link me up, I'm really curious.  I understand corning loading a subwoofer for efficiency reasons, but why not cross over at or below 70hz and reserve only truly omnidirectional sub bass frequencies for the subwoofer.

[Phil A]

I use a 6BSST (3 channel 4BSST) for the center and surrounds and before I had the 14BSST, I used the 6BSST on the front 3 channels.  The sonic character is similar.  AThe 14BSST definitely delivers better bass control and is a I think is a bit smoother when driven a bit.

[Mike-48]

Woofers in the corners not crossed over until 400 or 500hz?  Sounds strange - like the chance of things not sounding cohesive is very high.  Anyway, I know this isn't a constructive comment, but I'm honestly curious, what's the design motivation behind that one?

For best description of the theory behind it, take a look at Robert E. Greene's review of the TacT 2.2X used that way, in the January, 2006, issue of The Absolute Sound.  You could also take a look at REG's audio forum on Yahoo, at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/regsaudioforum/?yguid=213006176

I'm not sure if there's anything on the US TacT website, but you might find something on the European TacT website,

http://www.tactaudio.dk/

Regards,
...Mike

[Mike-48]

I use a 6BSST (3 channel 4BSST) for the center and surrounds and before I had the 14BSST, I used the 6BSST on the front 3 channels.  The sonic character is similar.  AThe 14BSST definitely delivers better bass control and is a I think is a bit smoother when driven a bit.

Phil, Thanks for the comments.  I could wind up using the 14B either for the high-frequency or low-frequency part of the equation. Ideally, I'd buy a second 14B, but that's out of the price range for this project.  (It would also be be overkill: The W210 are efficient and don't need much power, being in the corners, and the main speakers will need that much less, with the bass being handled by the corner woofers.)

[Mike-48]

James,

Since you presumably are quite familiar with the sound of all the SST amps, I wonder if you'd care to comment on this?

Thanks,
...Mike

I'm contemplating adding Tact corner woofers (W210) to my system, which uses a 14B SST.  Since the usual procedure is to cross over to the TacT woofers at a frequency well into the audio band (say 400-500 Hz), I've concluded I should use a similar Bryston amp to keep the overall sound the same as on the main speakers.

So my question is, if I use something in the 2B SST to 4B SST, range, will I be on the right track?  Are these essentially lower powered versions of the 14B SST?

(Crossover will be handled by the Tact 2.2X.)

[James Tanner]

HI Mike,

The design philosophy with Bryston amps is that there is not a 'better/best" approach. All of the circuits and components are equal quality it is just the size of the power supplies and the number of output devices which change. So the 4B and 2B SST amps would certainly fit into the lower powered versions of the 14B statement.

That being said most subs want a high voltage swing (as opposed to current) so Bridged (series) amplifers work quite well in subwoofer applications.

james