12-03-2007, 07:51 AM
Well it IS very big, but there are not many similarities between a pro sub and a typical home/computer sub.
A pro sub will generally be defined by having very high sensitivity (dB/Watt/Meter), very high power handling (1,000 to 4,000 watts) and thus very high output (+130dB). The main goals are to be as loud as possible and as reliable as possible. Reproduction of low bass notes (20-40Hz) is not a reality in most live-sound environments as the amount of power and number of speakers required to reproduce these notes at the same level as all the higher notes would be too high to be feasible.
A good home sub will typically be able to play down to the mid 20's within a few dB of the higher range (100Hz or so). Of course there are always cheap home subs out there that cannot do this, but a high performance subwoofer can be assembled by a do-it-yourselfer for a fraction of the cost of a retail unit.
A pro sub will generally be defined by having very high sensitivity (dB/Watt/Meter), very high power handling (1,000 to 4,000 watts) and thus very high output (+130dB). The main goals are to be as loud as possible and as reliable as possible. Reproduction of low bass notes (20-40Hz) is not a reality in most live-sound environments as the amount of power and number of speakers required to reproduce these notes at the same level as all the higher notes would be too high to be feasible.
A good home sub will typically be able to play down to the mid 20's within a few dB of the higher range (100Hz or so). Of course there are always cheap home subs out there that cannot do this, but a high performance subwoofer can be assembled by a do-it-yourselfer for a fraction of the cost of a retail unit.