Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Subs and weight

I've been doing some research on subs, and I've noticed that subs are so different. I know that weight and speakers go hand in hand, more weight = better generally. So is an 80 sub better than a 40 sub. What's the benefits of front firing, and down firing subs or cylinder subs. Has anyone build their own, how did it sound, and do you have pics. Here's a few I'm looking at.

Axiom EP350 39lbs. - $620
SVS PB1-ISD 78lbs. - $599
JBM PB12 40lbs. - $479
Cambridge SoundWorks P200 30lbs. - $599
SVS 25-31PC-Plus $775 not sure about weight.

Check out the HSU VTF-2, shipping weight 57 lbs. HSU VTF-3 shipping weight 93 lbs. Weight doesn't always equate directly to better, but I think it at least shows good internal bracing which is extremely important with the low frequencies a subwoofer must contend with.

Hello Rick,

I would not rely on weight as a reliable indicator of subwoofer performance. For example, some of the cylindrical subs are made of cardboard--variations on the sonotubes that are used as cement formers, and they are capable of excellent performance. The round shape nicely inhibits internal resonances without the need for heavy bracing material.

The basic laws of physics can't be ignored in conventional speaker or subwoofer design: enclosure volume and driver diameter being two of the crucial factors. Also the design: servo-control and feedback, while expensive, can result in subs with remarkable bass extension and output (some costly Velodyne and Paradigm subs).

How a subwoofer radiates low-frequency energy isn't all that relevant, whether down-firing, front-firing, etc. It's just energizing the low-frequency room modes. Placement within the room, plus the factors above, are far more influential.

Regards,