some basic questions (ProAudio & horns)

[tech.knockout]

never got interested in horns except now, after lurking and searching for many hours. Not about to do anything soon, at this stage im just curious.

Some basic questions which Im not clear on.

Im not sure in how does one 'properly' 'implement' a horn to a compression driver. Is it totally acceptable just to select horns from a limited range in a 'horn shop' according to the frequency range in which your compression driver will produce and your preferences?
Or does a horn have to be custom made for each individual speaker, like a crossover?


Another question. What is your preference for a high efficiency speaker covering 100hz and over(a sub will handle stuff below that), a 2 way with a large lower mid-bass woofer + compression ; Or a 3 way system?
Give some reasons why you prefer one over the other. The condition is that the drivers in the two way are abit better.


Im leaning on the 2 way due to simplicity and less cost. Heres a very high end example: http://www.e-speakers.com/products/diy.html

[hunter audio]

hi

basics :-

every diaphragm has its own compression ratio and - exit size
(which is maximised to its design usage - efficiency and freq responce by its designer)


to keep matters simple manufacturers provide drivers which have the compression chamber built into it - with a phase plug - in lay terms to maintain a correct timing

the exit is coupled to a horn for efficiency

this design is critical - it controls the directivity and spl , coverage

mostly unless the user is comfortable ( and knows his calculations ) the exit should not be compressed further - horns should be chosen as per manufacturers recommendations strictly

suranjan

transducer design engineer

[Rademakers]

Getting a hornloaded 2-way system for 100 Hz and up is (much) more difficult than a not-hornloaded 2 way system for 100 Hz and up.

The horn should be long (about 80 cm) to get down to 100 Hz but at the same time be straight to get nice sound over 300 Hz. So this will give you a very deep cab.
The way this is ussually overcome, is to use two drivers both on an own horn. Because of the coupling-effect, the horns will go deeper than you would expect from the lenght.
An second option would be to use a bandpasshorn but you could face the problem of getting high enough in 2-way.

If your using a 3-way for 100 Hz and up, you will have more options. You could put it all in one cab (like X-tro) or use a separate cab for kickbass and a straight horn for 150-200 ish Hz and up. This would bassically be an 12" or 10"

A lot of 2-way topcabinets in PA are somekind of compromise in soundquality (in my opinion) but it's also relative easy and compact. Where as an 3-way can be used to achieve low distortion at the cost of compactness and ease.

Most 2-ways would mean the use of an 2". Which would in my favor be better off in combination with an bullit or slottweeter, to get better and nicer highfrequency reproduction. Off course this would automatically mean 3-way.

Personally I would prefer the 3-way solution but would let it depend on situation, size of the system and used subs.

Mvg Johan