Re: Upgrading Subs – New Driver or new Sub –What would you do?
Yes, tapped horns can give you around 6 dB more output than an optimal bass reflex, but will be larger.
The Kilomax is rather useless because it runs out of Xmax far before it burns up, it can't really do much LF output, but is hard to destroy.
One problem with using a lightweight cone like the 3015LF in a tapped horn is it will distort badly before reaching Xmax.
If you want to go the TH route, the B&C21SW152 would be the real monster, but using a Neodymium magnet structure makes it super expensive.
The BC18SW115 also is neo, but the BC18TBW100 has almost the same specs using a much less expensive (heavier) ceramic magnet.
The BC 12TBX100 (as used in the DSL TH-Mini), 15TBX100 (used in the DSL TH-115) are also quite good in TH, but don't have as much Xmax or power handling as the BC18SW115 (used in the DSL TH-118).
One big factor to consider is doubling cones (or cone area) adds 3 dB sensitivity- 400 watts put in to two subs will be as loud as 800 put in to one.
Since each speaker only needs to get 200 watts instead of 800, power compression is not an issue, and distortion is far less.
Four speakers would be 6 dB louder than one, 12 dB louder if powered at the same level.
When you take that and power compression in to account, two lower power speakers will outperform one high power speaker, and may cost less, especially when you take in the fact that you will only need half the amp power to achieve the same level.
The downside is more space is used, which is why I opted for a pair of BC18SW115-4 in my system, I have no more room to fit any more subs in the trailer.
Had I been aware of the B&C21SW152, I would have used it, but it would require far more power than I have to reach full output, upwards of 10,000 watts.
That said, a pair of BC18SW115-4 in my free Keystone design (or DSL's TH-118) each using a bridged Crest CA-9 can put out more clean output in the 40 Hz range than eight Meyers 650P dual 18".
Art
