I just went through and modeled all of the Adire tumults VS Lab 12 and have found that even though The Adire's have a huge Xmax advantage over the Lab that, All of the adires would require much larger boxes in a vented Cab Due mainly to port length to get ~the same LF extension as the Lab 12. Adire 15's would have Almost the Same output in a box that is 17cu' as my BS-212 that is 7cu'. The 12's and 18's need silly large cabs, and Huge power.
Though a single Tumult 18" in a 5.8cu' closed box would have Excellent Extension down Bellow to 20Hz 112dB 1KW and one could apply a sort of ELF Eq to it. I think that would be a nice option but building 1 of those costs almost as much as building 2 of my BS-212's. It may be worth the extra cost to gain the extra phase linearity???
I challenge you all to design a conventional Reflex cab, of the same size or smaller with the same or greater LF extension and same or greater sensitivity and power handling across its entire powerbandwidth without exceeding Xmax. With as low of distortion as the BS. For the same price range or less ~1000$ for 2 Cabs. Only using different components.
I'm probably going to make my BS-212 cad drawings available to LAB Subwoofer board if anyone cares. It isn't very hard to duplicate the design. Mine could use some improvements.
Designing a similar cab using conventional drivers, of similar size and price range and spec seems to be the hard part.
I am starting to really believe that the Lab 12 is probably the best LF motor available for how much the thing costs.
I know Tom, has got us all licked as far as Horn sub technology. And the contra bass is an interesting bi-dirrectional option.
How about something a little simpler for the DIY masses.
Who's with me?
Antone-