Additional distributed subwoofers with optimization outperform EQ while using less power.

Evidence

Adding another pair of compact, powered subwoofers and performing SFM optimization resulted in Figure 14.27(b). Not only were the seat-to-seat 454. variations greatly reduced, but the need for global equalization was all but eliminated. Overall sound levels were significantly elevated by about 10 dB. And this was achieved with less total power from the subwoofers. Three of the subwoofers operated at substantially reduced levels, and with planning they could have been scaled down to considerably smaller products. How did it sound? Superb. The room, in acoustical terms, essentially disappears when “play” is pressed—no booms, only tight, deep, clean bass. Again, SFM optimization resulted in what appears from all perspectives to be desirable performance in what seemed at the outset to be a hostile situation, and all with minimal visual and physical intrusion into the living space. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1623

Categorization

• XREF: Concrete real-world demonstration of the multiple-subwoofer distributed approach’s superiority, supports the general principle treated throughout this chapter.