Sub & Amp Integration – Advantages?

[9f9c7z]

I understand a subwoofer is going to require more power than a tweeter, and thus having its own amp is a good idea. But are there any sonic advantages or disadvantages to having the amplifier inside the subwoofer cabinet?

Triad Speakers has their subwoofer products available either with the amp in the cabinet or the amp as a rack mountable separate unit. Would the sub sound the same either way?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I understand a subwoofer is going to require more power than a tweeter, and thus having its own amp is a good idea. But are there any sonic advantages or disadvantages to having the amplifier inside the subwoofer cabinet?

Triad Speakers has their subwoofer products available either with the amp in the cabinet or the amp as a rack mountable separate unit. Would the sub sound the same either way?

Most of the amps located "in" the cabinet are actually put in a separate "compartment" separate from the subwoofer. Logically speaking, I think the only two drawbacks of having the amp "in" the cabinet would be the constant vibration, and the limitations on size. Separate rack mount amps are usually larger, heavier, and more powerful. Aside from that, I don't think there are any sonic advantages or disadvantages other than output power when an amp is placed "in" a box.

 

[craigsub]

Most of the amps located "in" the cabinet are actually put in a separate "compartment" separate from the subwoofer. Logically speaking, I think the only two drawbacks of having the amp "in" the cabinet would be the constant vibration, and the limitations on size. Separate rack mount amps are usually larger, heavier, and more powerful. Aside from that, I don't think there are any sonic advantages or disadvantages other than output power when an amp is placed "in" a box.

This is also one of those conversations which could take hours to finish. WAY too much to type, but adding to Buckeye's post, a great subwoofer design can be had either way.

 

[9f9c7z]

Thanks for the responses, Buckeyefan and Craig. Thought I would consider/investigate a passive as well, but there doesn’t seem to be too many of them out there. I thought Velodyne would made such a critter, but nope.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Heat and vibration can be an issue when mounting the amp in the subwoofer box. Personally I'll never use a sub with an internal amp in my main rig. But that's just me and the bad luck I've had with them.

Hsu, VMPS and SVS all make fine passive subs. Many other excellent companies either make a passive or will sell you a passive version of an active they sell (eg Adire and Selah Audio). I use a pair of Hsu TN-1220's and I can hardly imagine the room they couldn't pressurize.

 

[9f9c7z]

Thanks, Rob. I spend some time at the Hsu website reading the forums, in particular about the TN that will be reintroduced this fall. Never did find a pic of it or the legacy TN woofers. Then I hopped on over to VMPS Audio. They’re located near me. Met with Brian Cheney, the engineer that designs the speakers. Nicest guy, too. He was familiar with my mains (Vienna Acoustics) and recommended crossing the sub at 50hz. He’s bringing one of his newly designed, 15-inch, passive subs over tomorrow. I also got to hear a pair of his bookshelf speakers that impressed the hell out me! Very, very good stuff.