[FJK]

Can anyone tell me if I would gain much from going from a Eminence Delta 12LF to one of the AE woofers such as maybe TD12s to use in a sealed box probably around 2.5 to 3cuft to cover 30-150hz.

The difference in price would be around $200 vs $600 (for two separate subs).

Basically looking for drum like punch rather than low frequency rumble which I already have with my other subs. 

 

[scorpion]

FJK,

What is to be supported ? I use AE IB15 with very good result in my Blindstone OB:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=88075.20 / pure clean bass.

Erling

[FJK]

Well it is to be used to augment bass roll off of full range driver that occurs around 100-150 hz.
I guess I am just wondering if the additional engineering (and cost) that goes into the AE drivers will actually translate into a noticeable difference over the modest Eminence Delta 12LF in a sealed 30-150hz application. 

[JohnR]

Why not go with OB for the woofer as well?

[FJK]

I love OB but for bass I prefer sealed for the punchnes. Maybe I just have not heard a good implementation.

[JohnR]

It's hard to say, as there are so many variables, and subjective items also come into a decision such as this. I wondering if there is a driver you can try that will work in both OB and sealed, then you can try OB and go to sealed if dissatisfied. (Or maybe that's too complicated.)

[THWO]

Hi FJK,

until today, I have no own opinion on the AE speakers but I know about the high opinion Erling has on the IB 15. I "know" him from many posts and trust that he is careful about what he recommends or not.

But may be I can contribute a little bit to the OB vs. CB question.

I have been building speaker of different kind for more than 25 years now. My overall experience (which need not be true for all cases, however, as many things are purely subjective) is that mixing concepts may work, but may also cause additional problems i.e. when switching from a closed box to a dipol or from horn midrange and horn tweeters to other types of woofers. My own preference is "continuity" within the systems, if possible.

Deep frequencies carry lots of space information; with good clean transfer of deep bass, the entire "life reality" of a concert performance may be seriously enhanced. I go with you considering closed box systems to be the perfect way to transport such information fast and "dry" enough without boomy / blary distortions.

Open baffle, however, is somewaht special. As dipole speakers radiate its information both ways, the spaciousness and a "real-life"-character will be transported in a very impressive way. Using a closed box for the woofers, although may be punchy, will brutally cut off the dipole transport especially in a frequency area where said room information is being transmitted and therefore will alter the overall character of the performance of the whole system.

In other words, going on OB consequently, including the woofers, could make the very utmost from the dipole concept. Besides all tasks an OB project may incorporate, it is exactly this livelihood and deep spaciousness which makes this concept so special.

In case you should consider starting with Alpha 15 and may be switching to the AE IB 15 later - as I did by the way - please be aware that the IB 15 show a mauch larger diameter, I think to recall ba about 10 millimeter. That prohibited a switch in may case as I had may Alpha 15 woffers flush-mount with the front panel.

In case you understand a little German or if you are interested in a nice photo story of an alternative baffle design, please feel free to have a look at my present thread at:

http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-104-21512.html

I am presently working on an open baffle project with two Alpha 15 per side, a Ciare CH 250 and Monacor tweeter. But please do not regard this link as a highjacking of your own theme...

Best success, I am interested in your own decision how you want to proceed. Please let us know!


Regards from Frankfurt / Germany,
Till