ABSTRACT
In order to reproduce sound, loudspeaker drivers displace air in response to an incoming voltage that corresponds to a waveform. There is a fundamental difference in the way low and high frequencies are reproduced. One issue with multiway design is that the complete frequency spectrum is produced from different points in space. This might cause unwanted phase interaction when the sounds emitted from the different drivers are summed acoustically. In the early days of mixing, the assumption was that engineers needed the best monitoring system available. While the limited bass response of near-fields might not be an issue for some mixes, it is crucial to have an extended low-frequency response in genres such as hip-hop, reggae, dance, and others. Space and budget limitations make full-range monitors a rare breed in the home studios, but a dedicated subwoofer provides an alternative.
