Why waveguides/horns?

[Frosteh]

Regarding home theater, why do some ultra high end speakers employ horns and others not for their tweeters? For instance, why does Klipsch use a compression horn in the KL-650 for their home theater speakers, while other high end companies and DIY projects use domes? I was going to build the Clearwave Dynamic 4T, but then got distracted considering designing my own home theater setup using a horn since I've noticed that is what is usually in movie theaters. Any insight? My speakers will be right up against the wall, as well. I'm also considering using a ribbon tweeter since those typically have quite good horizontal dispersion.

[nigelwright7557]

Horns make the speakers more efficient.

[tvrgeek]

You might refer the GedLee site, or read what John "zaph" has to say.
They do not technically make the driver more efficient, they make its loading into the air more efficient. In basic theory, the more efficient, the lower the distortion. This does not come without other costs. I have never heard a horn I would have in my living room, but I have not heard Earl's.

A movie theater is a totally different problem than you living room. Do not confuse the two.

[tinitus]

you can use it to offset the tweeter
gives smooth transistion with less 'edges'
I also used it to get mid and tweeter closer together
with chassies overlapping each other
dont know if its really worth the trouble

[Cal Weldon]

They certainly make a driver more sensitive in the directional pattern. (read: where you are listening) due to the reason tvrgeek mentioned. The reason for the lower distortion is due in part to the lower power required to reach the same dB level.

Tinny: Of course its worth the effort. You did it, so it has to be.

[Burtim]

In the case of Klipsch, their history is certainly oriented around horn product. That is what they have done for years.

One thing to consider is that horns, of course, concentrate direct sound in a narrower coverage angle. This results in less energy reflecting from nearby boundaries. In measurement, less reflected energy will interfere with the direct sound which when it does, typically results in response anomalies. Therefore, a horn advocate will say that the horn system could potentially have better on-axis frequency response.

As a rule of thumb in practice, small rooms can work well with direct radiating devices. Larger rooms, especially really large rooms will probably require horns. In really large rooms, the designer must maximize direct sound output (versus refected energy) to obtain adequate speech clarity. One reason most cinemas are highly damped with acoustically absorptive materials is to reduce room reflections, which is similar to what the horns are trying to do from the other end of the acoustical path.

[kevinkr]

I use horns with relatively narrow directivity in my hifi system which plays in a relatively small, and cluttered room. The directivity reduces early reflections in my listening space and gives me great imaging/immediacy in the sweet spot. Since the room is for me only this is ideal..

[ra7]

Most people here have given the technical reasons for why horns are used. The greater sensitivity and lower distortion also mean other things: Smaller amps, lots of headroom, amazing dynamics, and a clean sound. IMO, horns (big ones) can produce a very lifelike sound compared to direct radiators.

[Cal Weldon]

Originally Posted by ra7

and a clean sound.

I am a horn lover but we part company with this statement.

[Pano]

Better crossovers, Cal.