Hi Manowar,
Right now I'm just using mine for 2 channel. Pink Floyd is about the lowest content music I listen to and I'm satisfied with the bass. -3db at or below 30hz in a single drive unit is a wish, I don't think can come true. If have that if I want to biamp to my current OB augmenters with 4 12" per side, but they are max output limited and I'm liking them better by themselves. I don't miss the low 30's where the Iris's are rolling off pretty quick. The inactive augmenters make a perfect stand for my Joint Chiefs right now.
I can't go with all 15's for my HT for space reasons. I have to wait for Hawthorne to come out with matching 12"s, 10"s or maybe even 8"s to put in a similar, but smaller, cabs in order to implement them in my HT. I'll have to test first, but I will probably have to deaden my room some more to go fully OB for HT. The Chiefs do have a big enough sound to replace my OB line arrays for my HT mains. If I ever get around to good drivers in my arrays, I may go back to arrays for HT. I believe arrays are optimal for HT if you have a big screen and it's nice to have that option for 2 channel when you want a front row at the concert type listening experience (arrays take you there better than point sources and points sources bring them to you better....a very different sound) The driver cost is just too high for me at this point, plus we're talking about multiple amps per channel, active XO's, etc. for my ultimate HT solution.
In the meantime, frugal and simple solutions come really close. Speaking of frugal, with these Iris's in a simple cab plus something like a $30 Sonic Impact T-amp (or splurge and get the souped up $100 model from parts express) and we're talking about incredible sound for pocket change that could kick the butt of many $10k systems with an audible difference which even an average Joe can actually hear, due to the OB sonic difference.
BTW, thanks for the offer on the stands, but I'm down in Costa Rica and the $3/lb I pay for air shipping from Florida with my courier service would kill me. Also, I like to listen quite loud on occasion and with these 15"s, I think I may have to go overboard with mass in the base. I don't want even micro vibrations and want to see just how far I can take these Iris's. I have some sacks of concrete for another project for the house.That's probably the simple solution, especially since I have a low cost helper who's good with that kind of thing. ( He he, the advantages of living in a developing country
) That should be another straightforward, relatively simple and low cost solution that I'll pass along to everyone.
I just remembered another aspect that makes things simple with the Joint Chiefs. The pentagon comes to a point at the top and it makes a perfect sight for aiming the speakers. It's like a rifle sight. I hate that whole toe-in and placement dance. Point your Joint Chiefs exactly where you want in an instant.
I've also come up with an idea for remote control toe-in and even have the motors and remote controls, but haven't gotten to that line on the "things to try" list. I really should, because it's another of those things that anyone can really hear a real difference, even as it occurs. That should be a cool sound effect. It would benefit ALL speakers, and therefore commercially viable, especially for the "cost is no object" croud. I shouldn't even post this idea in public, because the design is just an engineering problem with a range of solutions. Oh well, I already have a successful unrelated business and would likely never get around to a commercial design even if I do build some for myself....my contribution to the betterment of audio. Anyone want to do a joint venture?
