16 x b3s flat line array

[norman bates]

Humble Homemade Hifi



"Each enclosure uses 16 of these drivers which results in a total cone area of about 480cm2 which is equal to that of a single 12” woofer while the ratio moving-mass Mms / drive force Bl remains the same. In this case a nice high acceleration factor of 935!.......... Once the loudspeakers are positioned correctly, they create a large spatial image with big dynamic shades. A sort of wall of sound filled with subtle details and nuances. If pin-point imaging is your thing, then maybe a different speaker would be your choice, but even so, this loudspeaker creates a realistic 3D picture in which all the individual instruments and voices can easily be pointed out. With good orchestral recordings there is not only good left to right imaging but also there is depth in front of and behind the speakers. The little full-range drivers produce a solid bass foundation, only the bottom 2 octaves are a little shy. So if you want to use these in a high-end Home Theatre set-up then I would advise to add an active sub-woofer. You can't expect everything from an 8cm full-range driver! The top-end of the spectrum is direct but never harsh, it reveals heaps of detail without getting over bright. It lets you take a deep look into the recording and takes you on a musical discovery journey."

Norman

[Colin]

Look very impressive but there's no way you're going to get them into your narrowboat ...

[italynstylion]

What's in room low end response good till?

[chris661]

Originally Posted by norman bates

The little full-range drivers produce a solid bass foundation, only the bottom 2 octaves are a little shy.

Sounds like they go to 80Hz.

I'd be willing to bet they'll go pretty loud though. Good efficiency too.

[norman bates]

I don't they will go too loud but much louder than well full rangers listen at.

The total area of 16 b3s are about the area of a 12" per side, with minimal xmax (short coil also).

But 16 drivers should add 12db for 92db 1w/1m, 1 driver measuring 79db by zaph.

Boosting 6db for baffle step eats up volume also (more modulation blurring the full ranger).

That's why I was thinking a 2' wide x 19" deep open backed box.
It worked well with my 4" tang band bamboos.............

Norman

[fakeout]

Originally Posted by norman bates

Humble Homemade Hifi

this loudspeaker creates a realistic 3D picture in which all the individual instruments and voices can easily be pointed out
Norman

What's the minimum number of drivers you can use to create a line array?

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by fakeout

What's the minimum number of drivers you can use to create a line array?

no controversy there

pick a number between 3 and infinity

[Jim Griffin]

Fakeout asked: What's the minimum number of drivers you can use to create a line array?

If you like listening in the near field (why else have a line array?), then you can use my white paper to compute the height of the array to assure that you are listening in the near field.

http://www.audioroundtable.com/misc/nflawp.pdf

[planet10]

Originally Posted by fakeout

What's the minimum number of drivers you can use to create a line array?

It should really be floor to ceiling or a close approximation.

dave

[Jim Griffin]

Dave, floor to ceiling height is too imprecise. For example, your 8 feet high flat ceilings may not be my 10 feet high vaulting to 18 feet peak living room. The precise method is to place the listener in the near field so you can use information in the white paper to compute the line array height for your own situation.

For the usual 8 feet high room a 6 feet high array is adequate as you have some coupling to the floor and ceiling at the lowest frequency of interest. Even for my room with its higher ceilings a 6 feet high array is enough to place the listener in the near field across most of the frequency band.