Chorus stacked and inverted configuration

[KaptainKlipsch]

I tried my 2 pairs of chorus(s) stacked,with one on top of one another, with the top speaker inverted. (horn of the top speaker down, so the tweeters are together at ear level, and the woofer up.) Has anyone tried this and what was your opinion of the result. I was told that this is the sonically correct way to stack them to avoid sound wave cancelling. (can't be put side by side, or on top of each other)

[DrWho]

Well that is definetly the right way to go about stacking speakers...

The only sonic difference with stacking is a 6dB increase in SPL, a

very narrowed dispersion pattern, a taller "point" source, with a

little bit of comb-filtering.

The gain in SPL isn't a bit deal because you're not pushing the limits

of just a pair of speakers anyway and the taller "point" source of

sound will be a matter of preference. The narrowed dispersion pattern

is really a neutral issue and the comb-filtering is a big negative. So

I see no real gains associated with the stacking of speakers.

That said, I would much sooner integrate the second pair of speakers

into a surround setup long before stacking them. Sure, there is a

certain wow factor to the change in sound when stacking (woah, big

sound), but it'll slowly wear off and you'll probably find yourself

listening to just a single pair again. At least that's been my

experiences with stacking speakers.

[KaptainKlipsch]

I did'nt want to break any 'sonic laws'. It sounds good to me this way. I like the way when you stand up the sound does not drop off. I found its kind of like a wall of sound with more vertical dispersion into the listening area. That is part of the idea to get more sound right? That way I don't have to drive the amp as hard. I've got the surrounds included anyway.

[DrWho]

Well if you like the sound that's all that matters []

Btw, the vertical dispersion is actually narrowed....but your sound

source is also taller so it seems like it's not when you're

close to the speakers.

[KaptainKlipsch]

Should not there be more total vertical dispersion because of adding a second speaker?

[bookman]

That must be a BIG sound. The Chorus is a powerfull speaker.

[Griffinator]

Should not there be more total vertical dispersion because of adding a second speaker?

Not really, unless you have 20-foot ceilings, and even then you don't really benefit from it, unless you're 20 feet tall...

[KaptainKlipsch]

I was speaking about the vertical dispersion in theory. It is sufficient in this setup. There is not a noticable increase in bass because the top woofer is not coupled to the floor. The added mid and high horn add to the total sound which is 'bigger'. It sounds incredible with horn music, which I like.

[DrWho]

Transmission line theory seems a bit backwards at first, but the taller

the sound source, the narrower the vertical dispersion. Likewise, the

wider the sound source, the narrower the horizontal dispersion.

You can trust me on this one, or you can try and find the articles over at www.prosoundweb.com that talk about it.

[Griffinator]

Trust him, guys. DrWho knows his stuff about transmission theory - far more than I ever will....

[DrWho]

I'm bored in the lab so thought I'd help out with a little of the homework:

Here's a great article on all the related terminology:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/lsi/tech/la/la.php

"Low frequency" directivity....it's an issue at all frequencies where the sound sources are at a distance greater than a 1/4 wavelength apart:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/install/synaudcon/tt26_3/tt26_3_p1.shtml

The "Bessel Array" - one of those cool tricks that takes the theory and turns it into something practical - this is just one of the many ways of "steering" the sound:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/install/synaudcon/tt25_4/tt25_4_p1.shtml

Btw, there is nothing about the theory that says stacking speakers is automatically going to sound "bad" - there are just new issues introduced and with the complex nature of room acoustics it might even be beneficial. Stacking inverted though severely reduces the amount of comb-filtering.

Some info on comb-filtering and other stuff:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/install/cpm/lobes/lobes.php

http://www.prosoundweb.com/live/articles/jbrusi/pa.php

[KaptainKlipsch]

Thanks Dr. Who, I will check out the information. I can't guarantee that it won't go in one ear and out the other. I originally planned to use the speakers side by side, but like I said was told that is a no-no A question could be made to if there is any room conditioning/ treatments that could optimize the listening room (if needed).