jj420
Ex Member
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OK, I didnt say anything before, but you guys seem a little confused...
The DB is a 4th order enclosure, It makes one peak at its tuning frequency. On either side of that frequency you get a natural first order (6db/octave) rolloff. In free air, that graphs like a camels back with one hump. making the DB have a much more restricted bandwidth than that of the HWK (before room gain is applied). The cone will have excellent control between the driver's Fs, and the tuning of the box, but will easy fall on its face on either side of those two specs.
The HWK is a 6th order box, it makes two peaks (sometimes 3 if the Fs of the driver lies outside the tuning of either chamber) These peaks are bounded by a first order rolloff, just like the DB, and also have a first order rolloff into the center between the two humps because of the phasing. This results in a much wider bandwidth than the DB (before room gain)
Now, with only 1 driver in the HWK, it will have a wider bandwidth than the DB, but with less cone control, as there is no sealed chamber, going bonkers very easily without a strict bandpass filter bounding the tunings of the cab.
Two or more drivers changes this story a lot though. First, the iso loading increases the apparent volume of the enclosure, lowering tuning, the iso load also vastly improves the cone's control, since as one cone loses control below the tuning of its adjacent chamber it is bolstered by the improved control of the other driver as it appraches the tuning of its adjacent chamber. Add to this the weight of the air between the drivers in the sealed chamber (lowers Fs of the drivers) and now you have a much wider bandwidth with considerably less distortion and a MUCH higher power handling ability. Set up like this, the HWK and DB are two completely different animals...
As far as whats louder, 2DBs will outperform the pair of single loaded HWK, and sound cleaner too without some strong filtering. A single HWK with 2 drivers in it will be comparable volume to a pair of DB, provided that both drivers receive the same voltage as they did in the single loaded HWKs, in addition the HWK will have extended bandwidth. This of course assumes that everything else remains the same, which it does not. Since the iso load of the HWK reduces efficiency, but increases handling, a significantly larger voltage could be applied across the coils in the HWK, allowing for a higher output if you have the money for the amps.
A properly loaded HWK will be just as tight and punchy as a DB, but way less efficient.
Long story short...
2dbs, more efficient, allows for dipole setup, more tuneable and runs cooler, but restricted bandwidth
1 HWK iso-loaded (mags in the middle) LOUDER LOUDER LOUDER, wider bandwidth, and cleaner too, big downside though is a massive loss in efficiency
2 HWK, single loaded, allows dipole, more efficient, wider bandwidth than DBs and runs cooler, but it takes a LOT more space and is very easy to eat drivers with
A straight up comparison of all of the variables would likely show the two boxes to be completely different animals, each suited to a more specific purpose, just like everything else audio, it depends what you need. A DB is likely best for the car, or maybe tuned very low for HT, this is because of its simplicity and efficiency which allows for extended compromises elswhere in the system (fewer, smaller amps, fewer, simpler XO's etc.) The HWK is a real performer though, and would likely be better for large theaters, or DJ applications, or the back of ye olde minivan for some real eye-watering fun. The fact that the power compromise happens in the box with the iso loading allows for different compromises in the rest of the system (allows more power, resulting in a LOT more sound, as well it has a wider bandwidth, meaning that one could, depending on the build, have both midbass and bass in the same cab reducing the number of components being lugged out of the van)
In the end it is like comparing a pair of Ford Crown Vics to a single Chevy Corvette, both go fast, one is faster, both turn corners, one does so faster, both have capacity for passengers, one has room for more etc. etc. etc. it all depends on what you need.
I just had to say something, I am by no means an expert, however if you look at the basic physics involved there are some definite advantages to either deisgn, but because of the many iterations of the systems that are available it is hard to say which is better.
JJ
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