posted
Now everyone tells me that mixing subwoofer sizes, i.e. 10" and 15", cancels each other out. How is this possible? How does this happen? Someone told me it is due to wavelength, but I find that hard to believe. Wavelength is not determined by woofer size, but by frequency. A 20 hz tone has a wavelength of 56 ft. A 20 hz tone on a 10" is also a 20 hz tone on a 15" subwoofer. Therefore, the wavelengths are identical. Both, the 10" and 15" subwoofers will go through a cycle in the same time, the time it takes to produce a 56 ft. 20 hz tone. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that it's not wavelength that differs to cancel each other out. Just what is it that cancels each other out?
posted
You won;t get total cancellation but there will be some weird stuff that goes on. Your reasoning of wavelengths is correct but you need to understand resonances. If you play a 40Hz tone (for example) on a 15" driver it will play the tone as well as a number of harmonic frequencies due to resonances in the cone, frame, etc. If you play the same tone with a different driver (especially different size) the harmonics are going to be different. This is where the potential problem comes in. These differing harmonic frequencies may cause aural anomalies that will possible color the sound. Nothing is definite but there is a good possibility it will sound 'strange'.
Think of it this way: A saxophone, guitar, and piano can all play within the same octaves. Would you ever mistake 'Middle C' out of a piano for a guitar or sax??? Nope. This is because of the harmonic frequencies that are generated by the instrument as it creates that note. The harmonics are what makes up the signature sound of a musical instrument. In a speaker we refer to this as 'timbre'. Companies pay BIG dollars in R&D to 'timbre match' component speakers so that they interact correctly when used together (more for components or home speakers).
In short - do what you want, but don;t be surprised if it sounds 'weird'
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