I want to build midbass horns....where to start???

[djn]

Hi All, I have a good size room and have JBL 4530 scoops at the moment. The front wave and back wave interaction really muddies the midbass sound, so, I would like to build a pair of front loaded midbass horns.

The ones I saw once (picture on the web) and can't find look like really big Altec 511ish and are made out of wood. They look to be about 5 feet across and have the same style of midrange horn on top of that and those look to be about 2' across, then a tweeter horn of the same style on top of that. The whole set up is up on legs.

Anyway, that is the look I am going for and I have the room for that size midbass horns. I also have two very good subwoofers in the front corners and two oh-hum subs in back just to level the peaks and dips around the room. I can cross my subs up to 150hz.

I am not so much into round horns. Any suggestions as to a good starting point? Cheers.

[freddi]

go over to C's and see if you like Karlson

[dantheman]

McBean's Horn Response.

[djn]

Originally Posted by freddi

go over to C's and see if you like Karlson

Hey Freddiy, I know that the Kcabs would work well, but I, being a large metal sculpture, want to make these a large statement speaker. I am thinking a 50ish inch by 30ish inch mouth with the flairs done up in cedar strip with brass tacks. If I am going to build something, I'd like to make it a piece of art while I'm at it.

I do have C on my list of people to call to have over to hear my system with the new midhorns though.

Originally Posted by dantheman

McBean's Horn Response.

Hey D, I down loaded that tonight and am trying to figure it out. I think this is the right time to read the directions.

[Brett]

Originally Posted by djn

Any suggestions as to a good starting point? Cheers.

Here and make sure you read the link at the end of the second paragraph; most people miss it. If you don't like his final design, there is plenty of info in there to get you started in the right direction.

I built some of his trax midbasses with the EVM12L and they were excellent, just didn't go low enough for what I wanted at the time. I don't use horn midbasses any more.

[David_Web]

How about a multicell midbass?

Multicell horns
The construction of a multicell horn

Think of how awesome a big multicell would look.
You could use four smaller drivers if you wanted as well.

[Scott L]

Originally Posted by Brett

Here and make sure you read the link at the end of the second paragraph; most people miss it. If you don't like his final design, there is plenty of info in there to get you started in the right direction.

I built some of his trax midbasses with the EVM12L and they were excellent, just didn't go low enough for what I wanted at the time. I don't use horn midbasses any more.

" I don't use horn midbasses any more "

You must realize... with a statement like that, it leaves us asking:
"If not mid-bas horns, what are you using now, that you like so much better ?" Thanks !

[norman bates]

well, I too would like some midbass horns, but............

It takes a wavelength to develop from the mouth, so for a 100hz horn, it'll sound better past 10' away (like a w-bin I had).

And Ideally you have the length be 1/2 octave below the mouth cutoff.
So if you want 100hz horn, from mouth to driver should be 3.75' long.
If I remember, mouth area is around 5ft2 sitting on the floor.............

Oh yea, and crossing it over is a pain.
The driver loses horn loading at (Fs/qes) x 2, so a strong 12" with a highish Fs helps.

And bass horns don't couple well below 200hz. But multiples allow you to safely add some eq compared to a single driver.
check out the kf940 dual 12" horn (13' path) 30" x 28" mouth maybe.
EAW: KF940
notice there is practically zero coupling at 30hz (1 vs 4 cabs).



But their processor can add 12db of boost near 32hz (see the pdf) ...............


"With 6 KF940's a side, we just don't seem to be getting what we should from these."
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/inde.../tree/36092/0/

but 4 high efficiency 10's with high Fs should work well.

Norman

[freddi]

C said his first horn build many years ago was tri-amped S9 Classic - Karlson will beat the horn bulk for bulk if you put some power into it. Use a K-tube for treble. He liked the tube I built.

[Scott L]

Thanks to you guys, I have made an instant decision. I already own 4 such units of the Eminence 4012HO. I intend to use two per channel to cover the range of between 60/80 up to about 250 Hz. Above 250: dipole midrange, below 60/80: infinite baffle bass. As far as the mid bass we are discussing here, just a good ole fashion vented box alignment, ports in the rear, woofers side by side,front firing, but each self contained. An mdf/ birch plywood composite enclosure as the two added together are far superior to either used alone.
Brace the living dog out of it to get panel resonances above 500Hz. No waveguide, no W Bin, no scoop, no horn, no nothing except a vented box.

Unless someone has a better idea (?) Thanks !!