What I'm trying to get a handle on is the difference in output. I realize a ported sub will play louder than an OB sub. {The single driver ported sub I am currently using has enough output to suit me for music in this room.} I'm wondering if having four drivers on two amps in an OB configuration will have the same output as one driver in a ported enclosure.
The reason is that I'm still up in the air about whether to use 8" or 12" drivers for the H-frames to go with the LGK Wedges. I understand that the 12's will outperform the 8's but I have space limitations to deal with. On the short wall, I do not have enough room to have the Wedges on stands plus two H-frames. The wedges have to sit on top of the H-frames and based on some recent posts it sounds like the Wedges will not perform well directly on top of the H-frames.
An H-frame with 12" drivers will put the center of the tweeter 1 1/2" - 2" above ear height if I don't have to put any isolation material between the Wedges and the H-Frame. If I do have to put isolation material between the two, the tweeter will end up 3"-5" above ear height. I assume this would not be a desirable position. With 8" drivers I would lose out on overall performance vs the 12's but the H-frames would be short enough that even with isolation material on top the tweeters would be at ear level. That way everything would fit in the available space and I wouldn't lose any of the Wedge's magic.
Another option would be to rearrange the room and place everything on the long wall. If I did this I would have the room for both stand mounted Wedges and H-frames with 12" drivers. However, what I have been reading about room acoustics says to never place the speakers on the long wall.
(short wall - Wedges 5ft apart, LP up to 10ft away / long wall - Wedges 7ft apart, LP 6-7ft away)
So my options boil down to:
on the short wall:
1) 12" drivers with Wedges on top with damping material in between - tweeter 3-5 inches above ear level
2) 8" drivers with wedges on top with damping material in between - tweeter at ear height or
3) on long wall - Wedges on stands and H-frames with 12" drivers separate
The ideal situation, Wedges on stands, 12" H-frames separate, on the short wall, will not work in this room so I have to compromise somewhere. The issue is which compromise to make?
Mike