Cambridge Audio Minx Loudspeaker Discussion Thread - Page 20

Why would someone want a speaker that has such a large baffle as opposed to the small size of the drivers? Too much diffraction. Plus, they're ugly as all get out.

Indeed.
I like the design of the RS-10 but I bet the smaller footprint of a Minx system would still outperform both of these models in many ways.

I would suspect they are rolling off the BMR driver on the RS-10 at 6 kHz and letting the tweeter take over from there so that it uses as much as the full range frequency as possible. Then, let the tweeter take over the rest of the upper spectrum. Though, I would like to know why such a high crossover point on the BMR driver. It would seem that manufacturers are trying all different kinds of designs right now to stand out from the overcrowded market place.

Are these the older, out of my price range models or something new? Either way, I don't care.

Not sure...ask the designer. I'm going to assume that because the BMR driver can be used as a full (near full) range speaker but has difficulties with frequencies above a certain point (8 kHz?) and doesn't fully extend like a dedicated tweeter does. This may be why they opted for the 6 kHz roll off point. This looks to be a larger BMR driver so the problem may lie at a higher frequency. Also, the newer, just released BMR models, may be improved in the trouble area. All this is only speculation on my part.

None-the-less.....interesting theory. A larger diameter driver does affect the lower frequencies. Why not the upper frequencies? You'd think that a larger driver, since it delves deeper the larger it gets, would somehow do the same on the other end of the spectrum. Not, so much, the reverse but it's quite possible.

I think he's channeling Shakespeare.

Love ya, babe!
Where would we be without your input? We appreciate you on this Thread.

I started to think why CA used a smaller BMR driver instead of something larger. Of course, this stems from the most recent discussion with taichi4 (real name unknown). He brought up a good point in reference to higher frequencies (or, lack thereof) with a larger driver. If CA was able to design a satellite speaker with a larger BMR driver without resorting to using a tweeter, they may very well have. They needed to balance it's original design shortcomings somehow. Perhaps, time to move on from all this speculation since no one directly from CA will step in and Post. Though, all the same, it was fun and interesting.

Funny, you should bring this up. I've been experimenting with speaker placement (L&R Satellite & Both Subs) & crossover settings the last few weekends. Also, I was continuing my experimentation with 2-channel into 5.2 channel by way of DPLII and DTS Neo:6 processing modes. With speaker placement, I ended up with both L&R Min 20's on stands about 17 inches from the front wall to the front baffle/grill. The two subs ended up on the top shelf of my new entertainment center. Lately, I've been back to using the 200 hz crossover that I was using before but this time is a lot different. The subs are basically at ear level now. If I could raise the crossover to 250 hz, I definitely would. I sure helps to alleviate the tiny drivers of that lower frequency burden and helps to bring out even more detail. I experimented with DPLII Music Mode, NEO: 6 Music Mode and Neo: 6 Cinema Mode including adjusting the dimension settings on all three. When using DPLII and DTS Neo: 6 Music Modes, I kept wanting to revert to stereo. It really didn't sound all that great. I settled on DTS Neo: 6 Cinema at it's default dimension setting of 10. What a world of difference. I don't want to use the term, moving from 2-D to 3-D sound but what I hear is definitely better as far as soundstaging and musician placement. My room becomes the "Live" event. What I found interesting is that I was experimenting with the THX modes too and found I didn't like any of them because it made the higher frequencies sound like there was a blanket over the speakers. I'm still trying to figure out if THX "Loudness Plus" setting is imparting a slight hardness to the sound but so far it's been set to "On" because I listen mostly at lower levels and definitely below reference.

I would love to go back to using a loudspeaker with a 50 hz (preferred) up to 80 hz crossover setting but it won't happen with using smaller drivers such as these. Well, at least, not now with our current technology.

Yes, I really do love my two Subs and I'm glad I made the decision of using two with the Minx. If I had to settle with one Sub, it would have to be placed exactly at ear height below the center channel. In fact, at a recommended 140 hz crossover setting, every consumer who uses a Minx system should be doing exactly that. It makes a world of difference in what you hear.

Just when I thought I was going to finish enjoying my Watermelon...I get another question.
Are you asking in my case only? If so, there is another reason like getting my right side Sub above the couch. Playing frequencies this high will not help when it's hiding behind a couch on the floor. Or, other furniture.