Furthermore, what would you be trying to accomplish by doing a 3 way? Sure you could use bigger woofers to get more lowend extension but the box would be huge(r). I think most use a sub when wanting to extend the lowend of the response.

On the other hand integrating subs into an enclosure (1 or 2 per side below the array) is common and has been done. No real design challenges here, but you do need to hope that the ideal placement for the subs is the same as it is for your mains.

Do a search for "Mcintosh array" for more info on a 3 wayish design and look for Rick Craig's opinion of it.

HTH

Later,
Aaron

The next question would have to be, would the 3-way concept provide enough greater improvement in sound quality to justify the size and price. We probably won't know the answer to that until someone actually creates one. It'll have to have a room that will support such a large speaker (18"-20" wide) and a very understanding spouse/significant other.

Jim

My mid woofs cross at 165 and 2600. They are in a room that is 7.5 ft high and 12 x about 18. They cross to just one 12 inch high xmax woofer per side. Currently they are in very small 3 inch boxes but i plan to double that over the next year.

Even playing such things as Vic Wooten and Bach organ I really don't have the need for more woofers. If I need more woof, I turn the woofer power amp: UP!

Marlboro

I'm certainly no authority on the subject. I'm just passing along tidbits I pick up. You bring up an excellent question though. Just what frequency is the transition point from nearfield to mono in the case of bass.

I cross to my subs around 70 Hz. on my Omegarrays. With some of the ultra low distortion 10"-12" subs, they can be crossed over up to 300-400 Hz. without issue. But, what does that do to the nearfield? Maybe Rick or Jim will pop in with a response.

Jim

Quite honestly I have to be careful about balance as it is. What seems appropriate for Tocatta & Fugue for Organ in D Minor by Bach with the bass speakers is way too much for Dave Matthews. One works great and the other one muddies the sound. While I can simply turn the volume down on the Power amp that supplies power to the woofers, I find that two 12's are more than adequate. The power on the woofers is never turned up beyond 11:00, except occasionally for Victor Wooten with Bela Fleck. Booming starts above 12:00.

What an array of woofers in my 12 x 18 room would be like I can't nor do I want to imagine. It would lose lots of aspects of the music itself, and make it un-natural. I went from miniature music with point source speakers, to life size music now. i think that would turn it into music on Steroids like Mr. Hyde from the movie LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN.

Marlboro

Marlboro

This is a big project that is geared towards very high SPL with very
low distortion, perhaps I can rent it out as a torture device .......
.... we have vays to make you tawk ...

I can see it: a large auditorium with plush carpet and one Lazyboy seat in the middle.