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I've heard that folded horn subs don't really sound like much unless 1- you crank 'em, and 2- you're at least 30 ft. from them. I find them to be muddy (80 Hz xover) with rotten transients. Surface-mount sub speakers are a huge improvement to my ear. Any other views? Thanks! Mike
If you've ever been to a live gig anywhere, that's what you've heard 'cause most sound systems have horn loading in of the treble, midrange and midbass. Even the lowest bass is sometimes hornloaded as horn subs, and the only reason you don't see it everywhere is that the cabinets are physically large, not because performance is poor.
Folded horn *subs*? Good luck finding those. A true horn loaded subwoofer would have a flare frequency at 30 Hz or below, and that would mean a long horn path and large mouth area to boot. The reason what you heard doesn't sound like subs is because they aren't subs. They are gigantic midbass bins, designed for huge output at 50 Hz and above, and little below that. Probably why you think so many of them suck is because a lot are severely undersized. I've seen 'bass bins' which are supposedly 40 Hz cut, using a pair of 18" JBL's that were small enough to fit in the trunk of a medium-sized sedan. Not happening. A true 30 Hz horn would be the size of a couple of large refridgerators, Let alone a 20 Hz horn. Adam
I agree with Wayne. Large gigs with lots of room and money can accomidate proper setups and will sound a ton better. Adam
hey Mike typical 8-12 cu.ft. W basshorn may have 80Hz flare and ~100Hz mouth - not so good for low bass - especially away from corner - of course Bruce Edgar makes very good horns for bass - also , I'm partial to Karlson or modified Karlson for 36Hz and up Freddy
Most people (98%?) (myself included to a significant degree) form their audio opinions on what they hear others say or write, not what they have heard or experimentally arrive at. That's why you hear some people on these forums tell you to develop your own tastes and hear for yourself what YOU honestly like. Anyway, beyond that, what Wayne and the others have said on the subject is true.........you ain't heard it right, I'd bet.........
Thanks, people, your comments greatly appreciated. The speakers that really turned me off are EV Eliminator 18" folded cabs. Anybody have experience with them? Thanks again :)