What is "X-Max" and does it matter?

[Timmy!]

Apparently that is how they are marketing sub's these days - I haven't had a system since '99 so I am kind of out of it but this sounds like marketing hype to me (from Orion's website):

So you want the best in a SPL woofer? Well, look no further. The new Orion HCCA subwoofers are the baddest subs on the planet. Hands down. You could call our HCCA sub a “super woofer”, but really it's the superior woofer! With its massive 4" high temp voice coil and immense motor, this subwoofer can reach as much as 4" of travel. And everyone knows that more travel equals more BASS!

[chpthril]

So you want the best in a SPL woofer? Well, look no further. The new Orion HCCA subwoofers are the baddest subs on the planet. Hands down. You could call our HCCA sub a “super woofer”, but really it's the superior woofer! With its massive 4" high temp voice coil and immense motor, this subwoofer can reach as much as 4" of travel. And everyone knows that more travel equals more BASS!

Apparently that is how they are marketing sub's these days - I haven't had a system since '99 so I am kind of out of it but this sounds like marketing hype to me (from Orion's website):

Could be, idk

Problem is, (1) we dont have room for 4" of travel, (2) I'm not an Orion Dealer.

[Timmy!]

I was just trying to compare "other" subwoofers to see what their x-max parameters were. I forgot that you are a kicker "dealer". The other thing you can look at is the sensitivity (1w/1m) and see how "loud" they are although most of them are really close 85 to 89 db. If they have recommended enclosure sizes with SPL's and the wattage used to obtain that you could use that as well.

[spharis]

Apparently that is how they are marketing sub's these days - I haven't had a system since '99 so I am kind of out of it but this sounds like marketing hype to me (from Orion's website):

When you are running SPL you are not listening to music. You are usually playing sub human hearing tones. When those are being played, you can wager that the more surface area and the more xmax a sub has, then there is a high chance it will outperform a similar setup with less. It doesn't always hold true, but it for the most part is true enough to market. Playing freqs that low is all about air displacement and distance of the pressure waves to the metering equipment.

This is also why smaller subs can in some cases be or sound louder (even meter louder). It is all about how peak the wave is when it hits your ear.

[philwsailz]

When you are running SPL you are not listening to music. You are usually playing sub human hearing tones. When those are being played, you can wager that the more surface area and the more xmax a sub has, then there is a high chance it will outperform a similar setup with less. It doesn't always hold true, but it for the most part is true enough to market. Playing freqs that low is all about air displacement and distance of the pressure waves to the metering equipment.

This is also why smaller subs can in some cases be or sound louder (even meter louder). It is all about how peak the wave is when it hits your ear.

Real good point. Up til now, we had not considered the "sport" referred to as dB Drags. X-max is king over there; the goal is to compress the air in a vehicle by focusing pressure waves at a single point in space, where a microphone is mounted. One gets pressure by displacement in a closed vehicle; displacement of volume. Volume is defined as an area, (the speaker cone) multiplied by some length, (the x-max).

In the moster vehicles, the "area" component of the equation becomes fixed; one can only put so many woofers on a wall. at that point, one has but the only option of increasing stroke for greater volume displacement, and hence pressure.

That is not music....

[philwsailz]

So,

now we have defined x-max, and discussed it a fair amount. Mike originally had two questions, what is it and does it matter.

We all know now real well what it is. The question remaining for him, does it matter is sort of un-answered.

So, I will post this suggestion. If the boy wants to listen to music, and has no intention of destroying a car with a wall of woofers, X-max becomes very much a secondary or tertiary, (or more) conisderation. It does play a part in making the woofer perform the way it does, but it is not too important.

If however, he wants to try his hand at campaigning a dB Drag vehicle, he needs to learn a little more about it. Also about wavelength, standing waves, and how to use them to your advantage. X-max will become a very inportant part of the equation at some point.


There, what do you think SP? I am glad you brought that up!

[chpthril]

Thanks for all the input and explanations, guys.

No desire to do db drags, his Wrangler is like a boat with wheels, one big open air environment. He rides around 9 months out of the yr with a bikini top, or no top, and a soft top the rest. He just wants something that will POUND

I've been nudging him towards the XXX for a couple of reasons, and he decided last night to trust me and go with what I recommend (that's a first ). I'm dying to hear one, and no one around here has one that I know of.

[Timmy!]

I've been nudging him towards the XXX for a couple of reasons, and he decided last night to trust me and go with what I recommend (that's a first ). I'm dying to hear one, and no one around here has one that I know of.

Well the good and bad news....he has a soft top jeep so he will have one for a short while and then someone else will have it... Well, that's the way it works around these parts anyway!

[philwsailz]

Thanks for all the input and explanations, guys.

No desire to do db drags, his Wrangler is like a boat with wheels, one big open air environment. He rides around 9 months out of the yr with a bikini top, or no top, and a soft top the rest. He just wants something that will POUND

I've been nudging him towards the XXX for a couple of reasons, and he decided last night to trust me and go with what I recommend (that's a first ). I'm dying to hear one, and no one around here has one that I know of.

'rides around 9 months out of the year with a bikini top...

Does he wear the bottoms too? JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

[philwsailz]

I would throw in, just for to make sure I put in my two cents... The SKM10 is a ready to go enclosure that is 100% water-proof... It should bolt to the tailgate, and just not care what nature or the boy throws at it.

[spharis]

I find some of the best sounding subs to have about 3/4 to 1/2 of the XMAX of the SPL subs.

Hell I've heard walls of 4" drivers put out awesome sound. How much xmax you think those had? Box environment etc etc. It all plays in to sound and perceived volume. Look what Bose has done through sound pressure research. Bass guitars can use HLCD monitors that only have 4mm clearance before the baffles. No XMAX there, but they sound awesome.

Generically speaking if you are going for the FEEL of the pressure, xmax = better. Otherwise, find something that fits the environment you are installing. Woofer depth, air volume, response, and power requirements etc,etc should be considered before looking at xmax.

[chpthril]

I would throw in, just for to make sure I put in my two cents... The SKM10 is a ready to go enclosure that is 100% water-proof... It should bolt to the tailgate, and just not care what nature or the boy throws at it.

Well, just got off the phone with Justin @ Wet Sounds, sub and amp are ordered.

Normally this would be a perfect application for that SKM10. He's pulling out 2 150W R/F 10's that have been thumping for about 4yrs now and stepping up to a whole new setup. The whole thing is getting re-done except head unit.

This box WILL be secured to the body.

Thanks again guys.