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Placing the DWM very close to main speaker

83.254.9.57

That is what I have done. The speaker-system consists of two 3.7i and a single DWM.
First I tried the recommendation to place the DWM 12" closer to me than the main speakers. (Measured approximately from my ears.) I tried both the included resistors and even the recommended 1.4 mH coils. None of these, nor both in series, did work. There was way too much of unwanted high-frequencies to disturb the sound from the 3.7.
I guess that the 12"-closer-recommendation is a method used to distance-compensate for a phase-difference-issue between the DWM and the main speakers.
However, if the low-pass-point is lowered to about 80/100 Hz (by 10 mH coils), there will partly be much less unwanted high-frequencies and partly no short wavelengths to phase-correct between the two.
The interesting part is that there will still be an issue with a distance between DWM and main speaker if they are placed as in fig.1 in the scetch.
As both the membranes push forwards, the rear speakers +pressure will "see" the front speakers -pressure, which obviously is very close and not isolated at all.
What will happen then? Instead of radiating all of it's bass energy towards the listener, the rear speakers +pressure will be directed to the side, to fill out the -pressure at the rear of the other speaker. The result will be a tendency to a null.
So, when placing the DWM very close, side by side, to the main speaker, there will be a significant rise in both bass-energy and in roll-off-behavior. A slight distance as in fig.1 of about 10" or so will cause a lot more unwanted effects than the gap may suggest.

Edits: 12/20/21 12/20/21

Follow Ups:

RE: Placing the DWM very close to main speaker - Swamis Cat 07:52:46 12/25/21 (0)
I have two DWMs with my 3 series. If I had one, I would have to put it in the middle, as it definitely puts out a lot of volume in the upper bass, and would pull the soundstage.

My extensive testing with the little fellas is that they work best when I put one about 12 inches or so closer to my ears along the wall (which means actually putting it about 3 feet ahead in my room because it is to the side), and the other side I put about 12 inches behind (actually immediately behind for the same reason). This really smooths the bass and adds punchlines. Honestly I cannot listen to my Maggies without the DWMs (admittedly I have them about 7 feet from the front wall which reduces upper and mid bass).

The other trick I have learned is to ignore Magnepan and run them via a separate amp. The two ohm load is taxing for most amps.

I know every system is different, but hope this helps.
RE: Placing the DWM very close to main speaker - Swamis Cat 13:23:15 12/24/21 (3)
I have two DWMs with my 3 series. If I had one, I would have to put it in the middle, as it definitely puts out a lot of volume in the upper bass, and would pull the soundstage.

My extensive testing with the little fellas is that they work best when I put one about 12 inches or so closer to my ears along the wall (which means actually putting it about 3 feet ahead in my room because it is to the side), and the other side I put about 12 inches behind (actually immediately behind for the same reason). This really smooths the bass and adds punchlines. Honestly I cannot listen to my Maggies without the DWMs (admittedly I have them about 7 feet from the front wall which reduces upper and mid bass).

The other trick I have learned is to ignore Magnepan and run them via a separate amp. The two ohm load is taxing for most amps.

I know every system is different, but hope this helps.
- RE: Placing the DWM very close to main speaker - MarcL 14:37:34 12/24/21 (0)
  Agreed on the separate amp. The 2ohm load and also you can adjust their gain separately.
  
  Due to room resonances and maybe "Allison Effect" putting one DWM in the center of my room results in a big dip at 90Hz. Having them against the side walls works pretty well but with some peaks. Right now I have them about 25% of the width of the room in from the sides.
  
  Watch the resonances, and measure with REW to see if they're in phase with the mains.
  
  Agilist, Musician, Photographer, Audiophile
  Magneplanar: 3.7, CC5, MC1, DWM; Outlaw: UltraX12, LFM-1C; Emotiva: XMC-1, PA-1; Nord: Nord One NC500DM; Outlaw: Model 7500; OPPO 205
- Separate amp - grantv 13:55:16 12/24/21 (1)
  That is interesting. Splitters off the preamp? Any sort of filters?...
  - RE: Separate amp - Swamis Cat 09:35:11 12/25/21 (0)
    In my case my pre has two outputs. I have various resistors to adjust the DWM volume, and of course adjusting distance and toe in/out can make huge differences due to bass cancellation and reinforcement.
    
    The bass panels really allow one to dial in flat, or whatever bass curve, one desires from 80 to 300 hz. They are definitely not subs though. If you move one DWM 6 inches you will get a different bass curve. Aim it more toward the wall, same thing.
    
    The other benefit for me is that I like my main speakers WAY out in the room. The bass panels free me from having to optimize bass based upon the front wall reinforcement restrictions/effects. (It seems to me the bass was designed to work best about 4 feet from the FW).
RE: Placing the DWM very close to main speaker - neolith 14:30:27 12/20/21 (0)
Download REW5 for free and buy a USB calibrated microphone (UMM-6 USB). The sound cards in most newer laptops are adequate. Easy to follow instructions.

"Our head is round in order to allow our thougths to change direction." Francis Picabia
RE: Placing the DWM very close to main speaker - grantv 12:34:23 12/20/21 (0)
The one thing I'll say is, with the DWM extending into slightly higher frequencies... is you should either have 2 or center it. Just a thought.

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