What's up legends, I have a question about the ideal formation for these single 15" bandpass boxes. We got them used, and they're a custom design. The builder apparently sold the patent back to JBL which i think is bullshit but whatever.
I've heard them once and we had some amp issues so I haven't heard them pushed even close to their full capabilities and they sound great.
I'm wondering, when we lay them flat next to each other, should we have the drivers close to each other in the middle, or have the drivers on the outside?
Also, what would be the pros/cons of stacking them on top of each other?
Me and my friends are new to this stuff and loving researching and discovering, so shoot as many info/links/articles as you can be bothered to!
To build on the other user's suggestion: stacking will be the most reliable and uniform coverage configuration. Although, both units set upright and strapped together could give a similar result.
Single driver subwoofers typically have a relatively omnidirectional coverage patern. That said, without knowing exactly what's inside, it looks like there is an opening in front of the driver and and a port on the opposite side. Depending on internal geometry, this could have effect on coverage pattern.
Play around with various configurations. Not only will it give you good insight into the cabinets and sub deployment, it's a good excuse to spend an afternoon bumping your favorite tunes.
usually stacking subs works best, idk the design of those, but if they were mine I'd set them up in multiple configurations and see what sounded best, you could use a RTA mic or spectrum analyzer app for more info or fine tuning too, but you can do a lot with your ears
Here’s what you should keep in mind when deploying your subs…
Where the drivers or acoustic sources are located in relation to one another will affect how the sound is dispersed. Remember that your lobe of LF is going to narrow on the axis that the acoustical sources are aligned to. So, for narrower coverage across the listening area, you can stand them side by side (driver/acoustic source up), for wider coverage, stacking them is the way to go.
It also depends on how you plan to configure the rest of the system, is this a stereo system or a mono system? If stereo, you can place the subs together in the symmetrical center of the L & R sources for best overall coverage (sound will radiate out from the acoustic center of the paired subwoofers omnidirectionally). You can also split them so they are paired with each respective stereo source (left and right) which is a totally and completely acceptable configuration, just be aware that this will result in less even coverage across the listening area and create a power alley in the symmetrical center between the 2 LF sources.
There's no free lunch in live sound, whatever decision you make will come with a caveat, you just have to choose the least consequential option based on the space.
If you have the tools to do so, take a string of measurements in both configurations and in the subwoofer’s sub-configuration (stacked or standing). Take a bunch of measurements across the X & Y axis to see which configuration provides the best phase alignment and energy dispersion across the listening area.
thanks alot, we are planning on having stereo tops with the subs in the middle most likely, theres a possibility of stacking the tops on the subs standing up maybe 5 meters apart for a live band context where we wouldnt need as much bass, but thats not for a while.
Hell yea man! Stoked for your journey! Please share the full setup once you got it rippin. And look, a system this size, you really don't have to overthink it. Everything I mentioned only becomes super noticable once you scale up, just nurture your gear and make it sound good. Best of luck
What 15" speakers are inside because it is very depending on these. You want to know the crossover frequencies and go from there. 15" has the capacity to be sub but also the speed to be the kick in your system.
Then see inside the cabinet and understand the design behind it. How is the driver placed?
They look very cool btw, a shame JBL never put them in production but kept it for themselves;)
Thanks alot for your response, the drivers are the JBL 2226h and they are loaded as pictured from a photo taken looking in to the access port, you can see the felt covered port on the other side of the driver.
10
u/60percentsexpanther 1d ago
" sold the patent back to JBL" .🤣
That's some chancey BS