Boston Acoustics PROSERIES 6.5LF Woofer Manual

Technical Information
Technical Information
The Boston Acoustics Pr
oSeries 6.5LF Woofer is a powerful 61/2-inch driver specifically designed to handle low-
frequency and mid-bass signals down to the subwoofer crossover point. The circuit described here allows the
6.5LF to added on to existing full-range speaker systems to augment output below 300Hz.
This crossover is easily built using very few components. It is very useful in systems with limited mid-bass output
in the front stage, or systems where the mid-bass output is coming from the rear of the car and additional mid-
bass output is desired in the front of the vehicle. As you can see from the frequency output curve on the right,
there is no low-frequency cutoff in this crossover. Instead, it is preferable to use a two-way electronic crossover
between the 6.5LF woofers and the subwoofer in the system. In applications where no subwoofer is present, this
crossover also allows the 6.5LF to be the primary deep-bass driver in the system.
W
oofer Installation
When installing the 6.5LF Woofer, it is important to ensure a complete seal between the front and back of the
woofer. A very small air leak anywhere near the woofer can dramatically reduce low frequency output and nega-
tively affect the frequency response of the driver. Additionally, it is very important to securely mount the woofer on
a rigid baffle. Any energy that moves or vibrates the baffle is energy that is not accurately reproducing sound. The
woofer cone should be nearly coplanar with the baffle board. Spacing the woofer off from the baffle or recessing
the woofer too far into a cavity can introduce anomalies in the frequency response of the driver.
The 6.5LF Woofer is designed for infinite baffle applications. In most installations it will be mounted in the door of
the vehicle without a separate enclosure. If it is necessary to build an enclosure to house the woofer, the enclosure
should be relatively large. For a 61/2-inch woofer, a 1/4-cubic foot or larger enclosure is sufficient. When construct-
ing an enclosure, be sure that the airspace inside is completely sealed from the outside air.
100Hz 1kHz 10kHz 20kHz
0dB
+5dB
-5dB
-10dB
-15dB
-20dB
20Hz
Crossover output

Specifications subject to change without notice. Boston, and Boston Acoustics are registered
trademarks of Boston Acoustics ©1999 Boston Acoustics, Inc.
300 Jubilee Drive Peabody, MA 01960 978-538-5000 Fax: [phone]
Crossover Schematic
The following is a low-pass crossover circuit engineered specifically for the 6.5LF. The low-pass filter has a
12dB/octave slope with a crossover point of 300Hz. This is very useful when added to systems that are lacking
low frequency output. Additionally, it may be used in vehicles that tend to absorb and attenuate mid-bass fre-
quencies. This is a common situation in passenger cars whose doors basically act as "bass traps."
WARNING: This circuit is designed for a single 6.5LF woofer. Two such circuits and woofers are required for a
stereo system. The impedance of the driver is a critical part of the completed circuit and each circuit must be
wired to only one woofer. If multiple woofers are desired, multiple crossover circuits need to be installed.
Crossover Components
It is important to maintain the component values listed in the parts
list. The inductor in the circuit (L1) has a steel laminate core, and a
very low DC resistance of 0.22 ohms. This low DC resistance is
critical for maintaining the sonic detail in the low frequencies, and
to avoid compromising the damping factor of the amplifier. The
damping factor is the ratio of the input impedance of the speaker
over the combined impedance of the output devices in the ampli-
fier and any resistance in the signal path between the amplifier
and the speaker.
Performance:
This circuit reinforces output below 300Hz in the system to which it is added. The amount of increase depends on
the other speakers in the circuit, as well as the amplifier(s) powering the speakers. If this driver and circuit are
added to an existing ProSeries 6.5 or 6.53system with an additional amplifier of the same model, and increase of
6dB is possible. If this driver and circuit are added to the same amplifier powering the existing system, it is
important that the amplifier be capable of driving a 2-ohm impedance. Many high performance amplifiers are
capable of doubling their power at 2 ohms. In these cases, a 6dB increase will be realized. If the amplifier does not
double its power at 2 ohms, a smaller increase in output will result.
Part: Description:
L1 3.3mH Inductor, 0.22ΩDC Resisitance
Steel Laminate Core
C1 80µƒ Non-polar Audio Capacitor
50V Working Voltage
Specification: 6.5LF Woofer
Nominal Size 61/2-inches (165mm)
Recommended Amplifier Power 20–500 watts
Nominal Impedance 3 ohms
Mounting Cutout Diameter 5-inches (127mm)
Mounting Depth 23/8-inches (60mm)
Specification: Crossover
Crossover Frequency (-3dB down) 300Hz
Crossover Slope 12dB/octave