[dvenardos]

SPL= Sound Pressure Level.  If you can hit the same volume with both solutions I can't see how the OB will pressurize the room less since volume is a measure of pressure.

Because dipole radiation is pressurizing a localized area and not the entire room.
It is like a bullhorn. If you are off to the side you can't hear it as well.

Here is the webpage of the radiation pattern:
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/rad2/mdq.html

[Bob in St. Louis]

"Typical" subwoofer = Grenade
Open Baffle = Claymore

[Stereodude]

Because dipole radiation is pressurizing a localized area and not the entire room.
It is like a bullhorn. If you are off to the side you can't hear it as well.

Here is the webpage of the radiation pattern:
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/rad2/mdq.html

Yeah, but is the sub actually a dipole at 22-29Hz?

[dvenardos]

The wave pattern would be the same regardless of frequency. Just because the human ear can't normally localize the sounds below 80hz doesn't mean that they propagate differently.

Because dipole radiation is pressurizing a localized area and not the entire room.
It is like a bullhorn. If you are off to the side you can't hear it as well.

Here is the webpage of the radiation pattern:
http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/rad2/mdq.html

Yeah, but is the sub actually a dipole at 22-29Hz?