Fascinating things about high sensitivity woofers and large excursion woofers
These days we can see two types of woofers, that is available in the market.
1. High sensitivity low excursion woofer (some professional audio and guitar speakers)
2. High excursion low sensitivity woofer (Usually sub woofers)
Let me show you the difference between these drivers and how they behave in different situations. Both of these drivers have its own advantages and disadvantages.
Just a small intro on sensitivity. We know that, sensitivity is a measure of the sound pressure level (SPL) produced by a speaker, at a distance of 1 metre, when 1Watt RMS power is applied. High sensitivity drivers are rated above say 92dB/1Watt @ 1metre distance, with some even going above 95 dB/1Watt. Whereas, high excursion woofers usually have poor sensitivity due to the extra weight added to the cone, larger voice coil and various other factors.
High sensitivity speakers usually are good for mid bass presentation. They do have a smaller voice coil and lower weight cone (usually paper cone with accordion surround). They do have a faster transient response and hence more punchy. But, in the deep bass region below 80 Hz, high excursion drivers perform well.
Most hifi systems nowadays use high excursion drivers for mid bass also. The advantage is that they are more lively. This is because, they can reproduce frequencies between 250 to 500 Hz better than high sensitivity drivers.
Just like bass frequencies 20-250Hz, the frequencies in the region 250-500 Hz require good excursion. Also, average music power is high in this frequency.
For frequencies in the range 20-250 Hz the excursion resembles a pistonic motion. (Cone moves in and out like a piston). But for frequencies in the 250-500 Hz region, it does not move the cone too much in and out, but will resonate the cone material itself.
High excursion cones, usually don't resonate too much because of the cone weight and rigidity, that makes them sound lively. Whereas, high sensitivity speaker cones flex and resonate in this frequency spectrum of 250-500 Hz, and the cone resonance makes the lower end mid bass look punchy.
People usually say that frequencies between 250-500 Hz make a music sound muddy. It is true that these frequencies when boosted too much makes everything muddy. But, they are the frequencies that determines whether a music presentation sound lively or punchy. High sensitivity speakers, in this case has very limited excursion and resonates to present these frequencies. Hence they may not sound as lively as high excursion drivers.
There are however exceptions. When a high sensitivity speaker cone is rigid and does not flex too much, they can present a lively music. High sensitivity speakers with high Qts performs well in a open baffle. But a high excursion woofer would never match a high sensitiviy woofer in openbaffle.
High excursion drivers are less likely to cause hearing fatigue at higher SPLs than a high sensitivity driver (if the design is good and sound is not boomy).
1. High sensitivity low excursion woofer (some professional audio and guitar speakers)
2. High excursion low sensitivity woofer (Usually sub woofers)
Let me show you the difference between these drivers and how they behave in different situations. Both of these drivers have its own advantages and disadvantages.
Just a small intro on sensitivity. We know that, sensitivity is a measure of the sound pressure level (SPL) produced by a speaker, at a distance of 1 metre, when 1Watt RMS power is applied. High sensitivity drivers are rated above say 92dB/1Watt @ 1metre distance, with some even going above 95 dB/1Watt. Whereas, high excursion woofers usually have poor sensitivity due to the extra weight added to the cone, larger voice coil and various other factors.
High sensitivity speakers usually are good for mid bass presentation. They do have a smaller voice coil and lower weight cone (usually paper cone with accordion surround). They do have a faster transient response and hence more punchy. But, in the deep bass region below 80 Hz, high excursion drivers perform well.
Most hifi systems nowadays use high excursion drivers for mid bass also. The advantage is that they are more lively. This is because, they can reproduce frequencies between 250 to 500 Hz better than high sensitivity drivers.
Just like bass frequencies 20-250Hz, the frequencies in the region 250-500 Hz require good excursion. Also, average music power is high in this frequency.
For frequencies in the range 20-250 Hz the excursion resembles a pistonic motion. (Cone moves in and out like a piston). But for frequencies in the 250-500 Hz region, it does not move the cone too much in and out, but will resonate the cone material itself.
High excursion cones, usually don't resonate too much because of the cone weight and rigidity, that makes them sound lively. Whereas, high sensitivity speaker cones flex and resonate in this frequency spectrum of 250-500 Hz, and the cone resonance makes the lower end mid bass look punchy.
People usually say that frequencies between 250-500 Hz make a music sound muddy. It is true that these frequencies when boosted too much makes everything muddy. But, they are the frequencies that determines whether a music presentation sound lively or punchy. High sensitivity speakers, in this case has very limited excursion and resonates to present these frequencies. Hence they may not sound as lively as high excursion drivers.
There are however exceptions. When a high sensitivity speaker cone is rigid and does not flex too much, they can present a lively music. High sensitivity speakers with high Qts performs well in a open baffle. But a high excursion woofer would never match a high sensitiviy woofer in openbaffle.
High excursion drivers are less likely to cause hearing fatigue at higher SPLs than a high sensitivity driver (if the design is good and sound is not boomy).
However, high excursion drivers can get bottomed out easily. They may sound distorted at high excursion levels. They also require more amplifier power because of the lesser sensitivity and more cost due to the complicated design process. Woofers also needs careful enclosure design or they will sound boomy.
Finally, choosing a specific driver is completely a matter of choice and personal taste. I usually prefer high sensitive speakers, as they are punchy, need less power and fits in a budget. But it may differ with different people.
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