The point: if you find the bass too much or too flubby, reverse the polarity on the woofer only.
background:
The 25 is an almost perfect speaker (I especially like the USS version - less modern sounding), but with either version -especially seas version, have always disliked the low end, finding it 'bulbous' sounding or flubby and out of balance (too much) with the mids and highs. I suspected the rubber surrounds may be part of this or cabinet design, and thought about trying some foam surrounds or a traditional 2" port, but figured I'd conduct a little experiment first:
first reversed polarity at the amp. Immediate difference, it is not true in my experience that polarity doesn't matter. It's true with guitar speakers as well. Definite difference. Less bulbous, less quantity, different character. Yes it messes with the mids too, but since the stock bass sound is almost a deal breaker for me, I can live with the mids being altered as well. Now I can listen to Rush without getting upset, as before Geddy's bass was almost unbearable.
Then tried keeping correct polarity on amp and just reversed the polarity of the woofer and feel it's a bit nicer balance. So that's where I stayed.
fine point: if after the switch you find there is not enough extension in the bass, make sure there is some space behind the mesh opening. I found that pulling the cabinets insulation down to help cover that opening (the insulation that is packed between the two mesh grills is not changed), can really take away extension and quantity of bass, so to get some back, push towards the back of cab and/or move up the piece of insulation that is directly behind the woofer so there is a 4-5 inch empty space behind the vent. Since reversing the polarity decreases bass significantly, this helps insure there is adequate punch and extension
background:
The 25 is an almost perfect speaker (I especially like the USS version - less modern sounding), but with either version -especially seas version, have always disliked the low end, finding it 'bulbous' sounding or flubby and out of balance (too much) with the mids and highs. I suspected the rubber surrounds may be part of this or cabinet design, and thought about trying some foam surrounds or a traditional 2" port, but figured I'd conduct a little experiment first:
first reversed polarity at the amp. Immediate difference, it is not true in my experience that polarity doesn't matter. It's true with guitar speakers as well. Definite difference. Less bulbous, less quantity, different character. Yes it messes with the mids too, but since the stock bass sound is almost a deal breaker for me, I can live with the mids being altered as well. Now I can listen to Rush without getting upset, as before Geddy's bass was almost unbearable.
Then tried keeping correct polarity on amp and just reversed the polarity of the woofer and feel it's a bit nicer balance. So that's where I stayed.
fine point: if after the switch you find there is not enough extension in the bass, make sure there is some space behind the mesh opening. I found that pulling the cabinets insulation down to help cover that opening (the insulation that is packed between the two mesh grills is not changed), can really take away extension and quantity of bass, so to get some back, push towards the back of cab and/or move up the piece of insulation that is directly behind the woofer so there is a 4-5 inch empty space behind the vent. Since reversing the polarity decreases bass significantly, this helps insure there is adequate punch and extension
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