Choosing Woofers for Horn Enclosures

[asauer]

I would like to build a cheap and easy horn to see how they perform. I'd like to know what qualities in drivers (as far as T/S parameters go) that should be looked for, and any possible EASY designs. Size is of little concern, and I'd like deep bass extension...which I know small horns will not produce, so any size is fine so long as it gets the job done.
I'd like to spend under $100 for a driver...so choices are extremely limited I'm sure.

[kelticwizard]

Eminence LAB 12 is made for horns. It has similar specs to the Shiva, but that is secondary to the aim of using it in a horn enclosure. Available Parts Express, although for something over $100. It also has a website devoted to using this in a horn.

Eminence also makes the HE-10, a 10 inch version of the LAB 12. Don't know if Parts Express has that yet-it's brand new. You can check the specs out at www.eminence.com .

[Centauri]

Actually LAB12 is really too low Fs for efficient horn use, and it's new 10" version seems to require a small throat which translates to very long horn path to get decent mouth area.

Best approach seems to be to select a driver with Fs around an octave or less HIGHER than the lower cuttoff of your horn. Horn loading will effectively lower the driver's Fs, and matching these values will produce a more even response. Therefore, if you want a 30Hz horn, select a driver with Fs around 45Hz to 50Hz. As far as other parameters are concerned, easiest way is to simulate in program such as David McBean's Hornresp, and fiddle with various values.

Cheers

PS. don't be afraid to try cheap drivers - the results may surprise you!

[OMNIFEX]

Originally posted by Centauri
Actually LAB12 is really too low Fs for efficient horn use, and it's new 10" version seems to require a small throat which translates to very long horn path to get decent mouth area.

I Agree 100%

People fail to realize, that the Lab 12 was designed for the
Lab Sub. The Lab Sub is 45 inches in depth. So, when using
a long horn you can use a speaker like the Lab 12.

Best approach seems to be to select a driver with Fs around an octave or less HIGHER than the lower cuttoff of your horn. Horn loading will effectively lower the driver's Fs, and matching these values will produce a more even response. Therefore, if you want a 30Hz horn, select a driver with Fs around 45Hz to 50Hz. As far as other parameters are concerned, easiest way is to simulate in program such as David McBean's Hornresp, and fiddle with various values.

Cheers

Exactly!

One of the many fogotten facts of having the speaker
interact with the length of the horn, and, enclosure size.

Frankly, the easiest horn to make would be the Altec A 7,
or the JBL 4530{Scoop}. Unless, of course, your
woodworking skills are, impeccable.

[Cal Weldon]

Remember the A7 cabinet was designed for volume, not necessarily deep bass. They work great but they are really intended for PA use in small venues. If you are interested, go to eBay item # 3073191806. These are Altec knock off cabinets.

In my 828 [original plywood] boxes I put a:
Selenium WPU 1507 QCF [for high humidity] woofer, although the WPU 1505 is good if they are kept inside.
Selenium 205Ti mounted to an Altec 511 horn.
Passive 2nd order crossover plus resistors on the tweeter.

I run it with a bridged Carver cube on each side.

Good and very loud

If you need more info, let me know

Cal

[Cal Weldon]

Now if you lust for large...


Cal's big speakers

Do what I did, GO WILD

Cal

[OMNIFEX]

Cal those are classics.

Actually, the A 7 uses the same principal as your 210's

You can tune the reflex chamber to achieve lower bass
notes, by adjusting the Panels.

[Cal Weldon]

Thanks Omnifex,

Yes those A4's are real beauties. I just wish they could go to a good home and be used more. I store that whole system outside.

I think I'll leave the port panels, they are tuned to 50Hz aren't they?

The cabinets on top are a system in themselves. The multi-coloured flared horn bass ports were my doing and I would guess their tuning to be around 50Hz as well.

She rocks!

Cal

[mikee12345]

i like the lab12 for modeling horns.
the lab10 is odd,it seems like eminence lost the plot with this one.

i find 8-12" units with specs that usualy let them run in small boxes help= large rear chambers are annoying to accomodate into folded designs and just cause the horn to be larger.

Centauri said it -higher Fs than u might imagine!

check the partsexpress.com speakers...

my 8" horn goes fine,with 3.5mm xmax,certainly adaquate in the house!

the program ML UTIL will tell you ideal horn specs=but isnt easy to use,and ONe of the specs im unsure of what to input

Cheers
http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/quadroph