Seems like all the rage but not everyone thinks so:
Check out this discussion: (http://forum.speakerplans.com/how-tocardioid-sub-arrays_topic26007.html)
“For sub-bass control i’m not convinced there is any advantage over just pointing all the subs forward & forming a wide horizontal array, in most circumstances. IE try to induce as much diffraction directivity as possible & then the radiation pattern tends to be cardioid shaped anyway.”
“I do have and use Q-Subs and S2 cabs. The CSA method does work to some extend, but you need more gear ( cabs and amps ) to end up with less SPL than straightforward non-CSA. I tried it several times in various venues from very small to rather big and from my experience it’s a small benefit at best at the cost of more gear. The feeling creeps on me that it’s a marketting ploy to sell more gear because they ( not only D&B ) convinced you bass splill at the rear is THE BIG problem. But is rear spill really that big a problem ? I admid it can be in some cases, but an environmental problem primarly in open air gigs. Every time I used it, musicians start complaining”
The best I hav sen on this topic is:
Phase Wavelengths: The End Fire Cardioid Array made visible
More at: http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/44778/7154/
and Dave`s blog for his take on it…
http://ratsound.com/blognav.htm
Highly informative and some intriguing questions?
More! you ask check these out:
- Rear delay array : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subwoofer#Directional_bass
- EV’s – Subwoofer Arrays - A Practical Guide “great basic info” kpb – http://www.meyersound.com/news/1998/psw-6_test/
- AES PNW Section Meeting Report - A Cardioid Subwoofer Array – Theory vs. Practice - with Dan Mortensen – http://www.aes.org/sections/pnw/pnwrecaps/2009/aug09_subs/
- Tech Talk: Building Directional Subwoofer Arrays http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/tech_talk_building_directional_subwoofer_arrays/
- Cardioid Subwoofer Array 80 http://polarfocus.com/pub/Cardioid%20Subwoofer%2080.pdf
- Application Guide Spaced SB210 FSA Forward Steered Low-Bass Array- Jan/04 – Rick Kamlet -http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/support/getfile.aspx?doctype=3&docid=234
- Meyer Successfully Tests Unique Cardioid Subwoofer Design “I credit the the work Meyer did to develop and promote Cardioid subs as critical to them becoming popular” kpb - http://www.meyersound.com/news/1998/psw-6_test/
- d&b Audio: http://www.dbaudio.com/en/systems/qi_series/qi_csa/
- The B4-SUB realises d&b audiotechnik’s patented design of a unique cardioid technique using only one amplifier channel, following on from the introduction of CSA (cardioid subwoofer array) techniques – http://www.tpimagazine.com/News/344415/the_db_audiotechnik_b4sub_creates_the_new_cardioid_chapter.html
- The Next Cardioid Chapter, The D&B Audiotechnik B4-SUB – http://www.techietalk.co.uk/news/cardioid-chapter-db-audiotechnik-b4sub/
- Bass Here, Not There - Sep 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Bruce Borgerson - and it covers the EAW TD stuff we did with Kenton, and Craig Jazen from Acoustic Dimensions a ways back before anyone was talking about directional subs – http://svconline.com/mag/avinstall_bass_not/
- And you must check out: http://www.acousticdimensions.com/tools/dipolecardioid.htm
- A Concise Article on Cardioid Subwoofer Arrays – by Steve Bush http://bobmccarthy.wordpress.com/2010/03/25/a-concise-article-on-cardioid-subwoofer-arrays-by-steve-bush/
