How to build large round front horns?

[Pano]

Hmmm.... photos didn't go. Here's another try.

[Studio Au]

Open baffle is gonna come next, however i believe its success lies in its simplicity. I bought 4 full range 8" paper drivers from the guy below although the second link look the drivers i received. A bargain at 1pound, to try in a very simple plywood or perhaps acrylic baffle.

8" speaker driver, full range on eBay (end time 08-Nov-09 19:55:38 GMT)

8" full range drivers for Lowther Acousta horn speakers on eBay (end time 13-Nov-09 23:25:14 GMT)

But when you start involving large 15" woofers the physical size of the baffle dominates a space and must also throw up huge placement issues?

In my mind if OB is the route then do it properly ie; Linkwitz Orions. Or supper simple with one full range (lots of nice work by Gainphile).

Also if you have a large spherical horn, or multi cell that extends back say 500mm is it not a shame to build a cabinet that matches the depth, would 4x 8" woofers, in a sealed 750L cabinet (250mm,500mm,600mm) produce a far tighter, more accurate and more controlled bass?

Then there is always basshorns?

[Studio Au]

What compression drivers are you using to achieve 500Hz (I am moments away from paying for the 250Hz tractix mentioned above!!!), and hoping this isn't foolish and some lower frequencies can be achieved,

Some of the BMS 2" ones can be crossed at 300Hz on the spec sheet, but these are costly and seemingly quite rare. So any advice for 1"?

[traskutis]

hi, get yourself 2'' radian 850pb , there are some used ones at $200 each, then buy 400 hz stereolabs horns they are cheaper than 250hz and you will get less horn colorations with 400hz if any at all... get GPA 12'' alnico if you can afford , or ceramic, cross them at 800hz and you will have a very nice speakers. If you are ok with sweet spot tweeter wont be required, radian is ok to around 18khz.

[el`Ol]

I have heard the Veravox 5x as direct radiator and really liked it. The owner had used them in front horn successfully before. You can ask Inrank whether he´s got a pair of 5s left (same TSPs as the 5x, just simpler magnetic curcuit).
Veravox 5S Full Range Drivers - UK
For the horns, why not use clay with straw, or maybe plaster with straw?

[vincent_brient]

This is the way I use to make diy round horns:

round horns

[Studio Au]

I have looked at your site many times vincent. I do agree that your way is perhaps one of the best, and very beautiful.

My criteria for easy, and cheap doesn't quite match though.

Perhaps i will buy the 400Hz horns, some 1" drivers can go to 500hz, would allow an easy change/upgrade in the future. Can a 2-1" adapter be used or does this change completely the curve and so response?

I do like the visual element of very large spherical horns. Perhaps when i do my masters in industrial design i'll make some 36" furniture grade ply for lowthers on a CNC. Until that day.

Anyone recommend any good retailers of pro audio gear in UK?

[Pano]

Hey Au - I'm using Altec 291 drivers on a 300Hz multicell horn. They drop like a brick under about 250Hz. I believe that's the driver, not the horn. AFAIK, some of the Altec 1" drivers will actually play as low on the right horn.

I have a pair of old Radian 1.4" drivers. They won't play as low or a smoothly as the Altecs. But they cost a lot less!

[Pano]

Oh yeah - OB. I don't care for the Orion approach (I've heard them) but prefer the big drivers with simple crossover. When you are doing OB, the baffle size dominates. I have also found that it's difficult to get much response below the driver Fs with open baffle. No amount of active boost seems to really do it.

So a big driver - or 2 - with a low FS is my choice for OB. Twin 18s work really well. Mr CLS can attest to that.

[Studio Au]

Does anyone want to collaborate on a project to design a spherical front horn using CNC router?

Armed with a DXF file anyone could send it away and with a bit of sanding have a great big horn.