Whats the different type of subwoofers?

[adc2000974]

Dear AV Forums Members

I have a wharfedale sw-15 sub and i would to know the differences between that sort of speaker sub and a longthrow.

I think i already know, but i'd like to know which is better.

Regards
Adam C

 

[Nimby]

"Longthrow" refers to the drive unit in the subwoofer. Not the subwoofer itself.

It describes the ability of the cone to move in and out a long way without damage. This requires a rubber roll surround outer suspension to the edge of the cone. And usually a large spider behind the cone to allow sufficient movement.

The importance of the cone moving a long way is the need to move a lot of air. A small piston needs to move a very long way to move as much air (to make very low notes loud enough) compared with a large piston moving only slightly.

Unfortunately simply being able to flop in and out so freely introduces other problems. It requires a very long voice coil and large magnets to keep everything under control. The force on the voice coil is also non-linear as the coil cannot be constantly and fully within the magnet's gap. In poor designs this makes for an ínnefficient driver that requires much more power.

Nimby

 

[adc2000974]

Good insight thanks.