I recently had a power surge related fire in my studio/workshop that contained my main listening audio system. I live in a hurricane Katrina recovery area with frequent power spikes and surges. The surge fried/ignited a flourecent light ballast in my studio. My speakers were once Pi Theatre 4's with Altec 806 drivers and 811b horns. Everything in my studio was turned to ash and large pieces of charcoal, including my 250+ original near-mint 50's through early 60's Jazz records; a good portion of them were originals on the Pacific and Contemporary labels. I tried to keep my record collection down to fitting into 5 shelves that fitted fifty records each; everything was perfect. It all melted including my Altec aluminum horns. Fortunately, I had two other audio systems and most of my cd's in my house and at work. I am gratefull that my family is safe. I was not asleep during the surge and turned off the house circuit breakers, but did not think to go outside and turn the breakers off to my studio.

I went through quite a few commercial and DIY speakers before settling on the Pi Theatre 4's with the Deltalite 15" neodymium woofers and Altec horns for my main audio system. My one complaint was the reaction of the speakers with the room. The best bass response could only be heard at the extreme end of an 11' by 16' room. At 15'the bass response was full and articulate; a few feet closer and the sound was distinctly different with fewer basses. I figured the fullness of basses at the back of my studio was from the combination of
approaching and reflecting sound waves.

My question is whether or not the length of the room or distance from the speaker affects the perception of bass because of the sound wave length? Do I need to factor the length of the room in my next speaker choice? Maybe I need more shorter basses/waves in my 16' room?

My new high frequency drivers will be Altec 802's with 511b horns. With my room size and shape, I am thinking I should change from the Theatre Pi 4's to Stage, Premium, or Pro Pi 4's for the low frequencies. For a person who likes warmth and a lot of bass, what would be the best Pi Four choice for an 11 by 16 foot room with 45 and 300b triodes, not parafeed? My goal is to have a two way speaker with amazing bass, oil-filled tube-rectified triode midrange magic, and crazy detail all euphonically packaged into a turbo-charged warm sound that is better than what I had before.

What is the best bass-reflex two-way bottom part?...No horns, subs, or Karlson's, been there, but will consider TAD or anything else.

Thanks,
Firemann

Thanks

There are differences in the midwoofers, over and above how they interact with the circuit. The woofer in the Professional Series four π has a shorting ring, so it generates much lower distortion than the others. It is very clear and detailed. The Stage four π sounds really good too, with full bass and surprisingly clear, rich midrange. The Premium four π is a little darker sounding, more powerful. Each of these speakers is best in half-space, quarter-space or somewhere in between.

You haven't mentioned any of the other usual suspects- room damping, types of furnishings in room, speaker placement, amp topology... I have Stage 4's with 2A3 Paramours, and they kick it in the bass department, even with no reinforcement from walls/corners. Lots of SET amps, though, get great mids, but just don't have it down low due to circuit/iron limitations. I'd look at the whole system, including your room, not just the speakers.