Speaker Basics - Good Read

[reubensm]

Hi all, recently I've been doing some active online reading on loudspeakers and came across this article which I think would be good for those who are taking their first steps in the world of hi-fi.

speaker basics

Also found an interesting article about passive radiators, worth a read.

How Passive Radiators Work -All About Passive Radiator Speakers

 

[nakamichi]

very useful.... thanks......

 

[kpsharif]

Very Useful...

 

[AVM]

Hi Reubensm,

I have read the second article when I was trying to figure out the words Passive Radiator mentioned on my speakers. Infact I had posted it else where on this forum.

I have a pair of passive radiators Sansui SU81 with dual 10inch woofers made in 1970(per the info I could find) paired with Sansui AU317. First things, superb synergy between the amp & speakers. Initially they did not sound good (lacked bass, guess they were not fired for a quite a long time), but with use over a 4-5 months they have opened up.
I just moved to my own place and still working on placing them(there is a slight boominess in sound) in the new place. I sit at the furthest possible place from the speakers (about 20-22ft) and must say the bass is deep and nice (ofcourse with slight boominess due to placement issues) without muddlling the mid range. They need large spaces to delivery there true potential and given the space would sound fantastic. The lows frequencies go way low (may be exagerating if I am to say in a subs zone).

I am infact interested in knowing your thoughts on your recently disposed B&W speakers which were built on the Passive radiator concept.

BTW - Genre such as Ghazals, soft rock , jazz sound soulful with big soundstage.

 

[reubensm]

Hi AVM, sorry for the late reply, was extremely busy over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I've used ported designs during my DIY college days but when on to branded stuff, I've always had or listened to speakers with passive radiators. My first buy, a BPL Sanyo 700T symphony series floor standing pair have 8 inch passive radiators, my brother's Macintosh speakers have passive radiators and so did the B&W DM3000. What I've noticed is that these passive radiators do not boom and speaker placement becomes much easier, especially if the room is small. The bass is also very tight. It was fun to watch the B&W's passive radiators go in and out in sync with the woofers at high volumes. Overall, I'd prefer them over ported designs.