Waveguides and baffle step?

[Spasticteapot]

I'm trying once again to get the hang of speaker design, and I was wondering if someone could help me understand the effect of a waveguide on baffle step. From what I understand, baffle step does some very undesirable things to frequency response: According to a piece of software called "The Edge", frequency response varies a great deal between about 1.5khz and 4khz for a 1" tweeter mounted 75mm from the top and left sides of a 250mm x 350mm box.

If what I understand is correct, the use of a waveguide will limit dispersion to the point that the baffle no longer affects tweeter response. If this is correct, it would be a huge benefit: when combined with the lower crossover point a waveguide allows, it would greatly smooth frequency response.

Thanks!

[smokinghot]

From my little understanding of the topic. Baffle step, or the amount there of, is a result of the speaker's design/application.

A speaker with a thin baffle such as your 250mm located several feet off the back wall will suffer fully from baffle step. Where as, a speaker designed to be mounted to, or within a wall. Suffers very little to nothing at all.

I believe a "waveguide" in Dr. Geddes's definition of the term, needs to be a minimum of 10"s in dia to be effective.