A1b's as center

[jnordi]

Hello,
I was considering wiring two A1's in parallel and using them as a center channel with the A5's, any thoughts on this? What load would this present to the amp being wired in parallel, 4 ohm? Is this a viable option?
Jeff

[jnordi]

Hello,
I was considering wiring two A1's in parallel and using them as a center channel with the A5's, any thoughts on this? What load would this present to the amp being wired in parallel, 4 ohm? Is this a viable option?
Jeff

How about some replies here guys, Collin, Jon help me out here.

[Chane M&C]

I was considering wiring two A1's in parallel and using them as a center channel with the A5's, any thoughts on this? What load would this present to the amp being wired in parallel, 4 ohm? Is this a viable option?

Hi Jeff,

Two A1b in parallel and side by will add up about like this:

1. In parallel, they will constitute a 4 ohm nominal load, so have a good amplifier to drive them.
2. They will together have approximately 6dB more initial output (sensitivity) and 3dB more efficiency.
3. Used on their sides with the tweeters rotated 90 degrees, and with the heads of the speakers (the tweeter ends) placed end-to-end, you will get something of a coherent directivity. You will, however, get high frequency lobing where the two tweeters "beat" as you move across the field horizontally, and you will get other, lesser lobes in the upper midrange where the two woofers find themselves at some significant distance apart for the short wavelengths they're making at the top of their range. This will not be nearly as significant as the treble lobing.
4. You'll get doubled power handling across the A1b spectrum.

The purist in me says this is a compromised setup, but the realist says this is a potentially good way to get a ton of output and low IM and driver distortion. I think Axiom makes a big center with tweeters at either end of the package, so perhaps this sounds better in practice than it seems. Using our 30 day in-home trial guarantee, you could certainly try this arraangement and know you're covered if it doesn't work like you'd hoped.

I'd greatly favor a single A2b, but twin A1bs are an interesting enough idea to try. We may have to ourselves.

[jnordi]

Hi Jeff,

Two A1b in parallel and side by will add up about like this:

1. In parallel, they will constitute a 4 ohm nominal load, so have a good amplifier to drive them.
2. They will together have approximately 6dB more initial output (sensitivity) and 3dB more efficiency.
3. Used on their sides with the tweeters rotated 90 degrees, and with the heads of the speakers (the tweeter ends) placed end-to-end, you will get something of a coherent directivity. You will, however, get high frequency lobing where the two tweeters "beat" as you move across the field horizontally, and you will get other, lesser lobes in the upper midrange where the two woofers find themselves at some significant distance apart for the short wavelengths they're making at the top of their range. This will not be nearly as significant as the treble lobing.
4. You'll get doubled power handling across the A1b spectrum.

The purist in me says this is a compromised setup, but the realist says this is a potentially good way to get a ton of output and low IM and driver distortion. I think Axiom makes a big center with tweeters at either end of the package, so perhaps this sounds better in practice than it seems. Using our 30 day in-home trial guarantee, you could certainly try this arraangement and know you're covered if it doesn't work like you'd hoped.

I'd greatly favor a single A2b, but twin A1bs are an interesting enough idea to try. We may have to ourselves.

Thanks Jon, that's what I needed.....
Jeff

[gtpsuper24]

I think Axiom makes a big center with tweeters at either end of the package, so perhaps this sounds better in practice than it seems. Using our 30 day in-home trial guarantee, you could certainly try this arraangement and know you're covered if it doesn't work like you'd hoped.

I listened and owned the Axiom centers with dual tweets. Horrible off axis and can sound very hollow. IMO after owning a center with dual tweets for years its a bad idea. Theres a reason no one but Axiom really uses dual tweets.

[Chane M&C]

I listened and owned the Axiom centers with dual tweets. Horrible off axis and can sound very hollow. IMO after owning a center with dual tweets for years its a bad idea. Theres a reason no one but Axiom really uses dual tweets.

Looks like we have our answer. At just half a foot or so apart, a pair of tweeters in a pair of bookshelf speakers set head to head would work much better, but it's still a compromise and not something any designer would intentionally do if they understood polar response. Why some brands use multiple, stacked tweeters always mystified me...but not nearly so much as some of the other odd stuff out there.

[jnordi]

Looks like we have our answer. At just half a foot or so apart, a pair of tweeters in a pair of bookshelf speakers set head to head would work much better, but it's still a compromise and not something any designer would intentionally do if they understood polar response. Why some brands use multiple, stacked tweeters always mystified me...but not nearly so much as some of the other odd stuff out there.

I was told to orient the two monitors in vertical position with each inner side baffles of each speaker touching each other, this speakers do not have planar drivers if that makes a difference.
Cheers Jeff

[jnordi]

Jon, I was just thinking of using a single A1b as a center with the A5's until the A2 becomes available. That was in one of our email chats about purchasing three A1b's. I still can buy three A1b's correct?
Jeff

[Chane M&C]

Jon, I was just thinking of using a single A1b as a center with the A5's until the A2 becomes available. That was in one of our email chats about purchasing three A1b's. I still can buy three A1b's correct?
Jeff

You may.

A single A1b can also be used laid on its side if you reorient the tweeter back to vertical. The crossover simulates a constant power response, meaning that on axis the response is flat.

[jnordi]

You may.

A single A1b can also be used laid on its side if you reorient the tweeter back to vertical. The crossover simulates a constant power response, meaning that on axis the response is flat.

That will work just fine for me, I forgot the tweet could be reoriented, but you know I will have to try both vertical and horizontal, that's how I am. Thanks my friend. While I'm here I want to thank you for the patience and quick responses with me on a personal level outside of this forum, exemplary customer service....Also to Collin (Buford) who has been so instrumental with my decision to go with ARX, he is a true asset to this wonderful hobby of audio and to me personally.
j_nordi