Sub demo protocol

Kirby Yarbrough

Kirby Yarbrough

Sophomore
Jan 15, 2011
142
0
16
Reston VA
www.kirbysound.com
I've requested a demo of one of the new Fulcrum Acoustic TS215ac self-powered sub (http://fulcrum-acoustic.com/assets/pdf/Spec Sheets/Prod Spec, TS215ac v2.pdf). The demo will be inside the pro audio section of a local independent retailer. Not having been to a high end sub demo before, I'd like to know what to expect. I've invited some other system tech/engineers in the area, and am planning on bringing one of my FA12ac speakers to mount over the sub for some of the listening, and bringing an iPod with the music I normally use for sound checks. I'm planning on buying two or these to replace the four QSC KW181s I currently have, so this is for me a sizeable investment in a major upgrade. What else should I expect, or ask to be done as part of the demo?
 
Re: Sub demo protocol

Kirby Yarbrough said:
I've requested a demo of one of the new Fulcrum Acoustic TS215ac self-powered sub (http://fulcrum-acoustic.com/assets/pdf/Spec Sheets/Prod Spec, TS215ac v2.pdf). The demo will be inside the pro audio section of a local independent retailer. Not having been to a high end sub demo before, I'd like to know what to expect. I've invited some other system tech/engineers in the area, and am planning on bringing one of my FA12ac speakers to mount over the sub for some of the listening, and bringing an iPod with the music I normally use for sound checks. I'm planning on buying two or these to replace the four QSC KW181s I currently have, so this is for me a sizeable investment in a major upgrade. What else should I expect, or ask to be done as part of the demo?
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Quick suggestions:

  • Move around alot during the demo. modal behaviors in rooms are spatially localized, so you'll get tricked staying in one spot.
  • Pay attention to 90Hz in any and all subs. Experience tells me the relative amount in the vicinity of 90Hz in a sub will define its "punchiness". Balancing 90Hz when comparing subs goes a long way to leveling the "punchiness" field. It is also a useful cheat in system tuning to punch up whatever is installed.
  • Get close to the boxes (with earplugs) once they are at a decent level, listen around for various rattles and port complaints. This is always revealing.
  • Listen out of band (up to 250Hz), for extraneous cabinet noises, high frequency port noises, etc.

In terms of total cone volume displacement, this double 15 against a pair of KW is probably a pretty fair comparison (top shelf 15 vs. midline 18). I would be expecting the FA box to play cleaner (due to the B&C split coil technology and shorting rings) and to have better porting performance (e.g. less port noise). Also I'd expect the FA to have more dynamic headroom.

Hopefully you'll find these guidelines useful.
 
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