This guy on this one forum thinks that SVS subwoofers are bright and that they have coloration because they use aluminum drivers. He's full of it, isn't he?

He's right. SVS subwoofers are widely known for their piercing, high frequency reproduction. They overemphasize the 10-20 kHz range. Some even describe them as "tinny" or "metallic." This is clearly due to their use of metal in their cones, instead of a proper, smooth material like latex.



Yes, he's full of it.

Hehe, ok thanks. I thought so.

'Course, I've only heard on SVS. It was very good. I'm sure someone else will come along and tell you I'm wrong. Such is the nature of the beast. Err, boards... :-)

Well, it just doesn't make sense that anyone could call 20hz bass, bright. Plus, SVS is considered to be one of the best subwoofer manufacturers for the price. I think that they know what they are doing. If using aluminum drivers was bad, they wouldn't put them in their high end subs like the PB2-plus and B4-Plus.

Some people seem to be very biased against the use of aluminum drivers, for some reason. Probably because they imagine the sound of metal being hit (say, by a hammer), rather than vibrating at extremely high speeds under a lot of control.

Yup. The main reason aluminum is used is that it is rigid and light.

Ken and Peter have nailed it on both counts. The aluminum makes for great driver material due to its physical charaacteristics but the human mind perceives the sound from such a driver to be biased towards "tinny, metallic" etc. based only on preconceptions about metal.
Such is the ludicrousy that drives audio myths.

ludicrousy?

Chess, you're slipping.

It's early.
Just wait until the mind warms up and really gets going.