Here is a quote from an unnamed source who is more knowledgeable than most in the ways of the speaker.
What interests us with woofers
in given boxes are their thermal maxima and mechanical maxima. A good
software program informs us at what frequency and power each is reached.
Forgoing the use of one coil has no effect on the mechanical capacity of a
driver but does sacrifice a bit of thermal capacity. Put another way, the
thermal capacity is reduced compared to the mechanical capacity.
Those who plan to operate a woofer near these maxima would be wise to
select a unit with more favorable parameters or to multiply the number of
woofers until they can operate at all times outside the distress range. To translate, using a single voice coil will not damage the speaker, but why by a DVC woofer if only one of the VCs will be used. And also, multiple woofers splitting power are ALWAYS preferred to running a single woofer with the same power.
[This message has been edited by dnewma04 (edited April 11, 2001).]
