Bass Bin vs Subwoofer

[MarkR]

Can someone please tell me, what is the difference between a bass bin and a sub?

[JonMarsh]

When I use that expression, I'm referring to a drive cabinet designed to cover a range from ~200Hz or higher on down, LF cutoff arbitrary, but usually designed more around music requirements than home theater.

Most subwoofers do not have the driver characteristics to be used above 100 Hz, due to a combination of rising voice coil inductance causing inductivity modulation and higher distortion just where the distortion should be dropping, and often due to cone issues. The Le of most sub drives actually causes their frequency response to start rolling off above 70-75 Hz, and they may require equalization to play high enough for a 100 Hz crossover.

Drivers like the RS315HF straddle that boundary, having both extended travel and good upper range response.

For an example of an outstanding 12" driver for a "bass bin", look at the Aurasound NS12-513.

[ThomasW]

A bass bin contains woofers not subwoofers, and is used to augment the main speakers.

[MarkR]

Mmmm, so it seems there might be a bit of a grey area at which point a bass bin becomes a sub. I kind of had an idea this was the case but sometimes I do need things spelled out for me. :roll:

I am happy with the bass from my MTM's for 2ch music BTW but I have designed the internal bracing in the towers so they can be used to seal them of as 3/4 boxes for future integration with a sub.

Given the prohibitive shipping cost's for me I will probably go with a 12" XLS Peerless (which I will still have to source from Australia). I have found a local shop that sells Behringer products (CX2310 NZ$300 8O ).

But this is all a little way of as I have parts on order to build one of Chris's RS150 MTM for use as a centre channel.

[ThomasW]

One can certainly build stereo subs and place them under the mains. Subs vs bass bins is basically dependant on the choice of the drivers. Don't use a driver designed for a sub if you want a higher XO point.