I think I have a crazy idea... or maybe not so crazy (but for DIY only!). Read on for details...
I've often espoused the use of a nearfield driver for the "ultimate fidelity" subwoofer. Assuming this would be used when you are seated in one place only (e.g. at the computer) for music listening, the idea is this:
I started wondering to myself lately if this concept could be extended to the full audio spectrum, that is to add a driver on either side of my head near my ears. If the drivers are large enough in diameter, I would again be in the nearfield (up to some relatively high frequency at least) and I would be creating something like an open-back headphone but with completely open-air drivers. Is this a crazy idea? Not sure, I have never attempted something like this. I am concerned that above 1kHz or so, some odd effects from the interaction of my head and the driver (e.g. interference) will take place and the frequency response will be anything but smooth. Also, there will be no way to measure the response (I like to measure) so I will need to adjust any FR irregularities by the "seat of my pants" (e.g. by guessing).
Can anyone recall something like this - a full range nearfield "listening station"? Could this bring some real high fidelity in a DIY-only package? I might have to build a "listening throne" (e.g. a chair-and-speaker contraption) test bed.
Any thoughts on driver selection (size, type, etc) for full-range nearfield listening are welcome. What is the best way to implement this idea?
I've often espoused the use of a nearfield driver for the "ultimate fidelity" subwoofer. Assuming this would be used when you are seated in one place only (e.g. at the computer) for music listening, the idea is this:
- Construct a means to place a large-ish (e.g. 12 or larger) diameter driver right behind your head or as close as possible to this location.
- The driver is mounted in a minimal open baffle or very shallow open-rear baffle-and-2-sides frame.
- Because of the driver diameter and the proximity of one's head to the driver, you are in the nearfield. As such, the response will be essentially the infinite-baffle response of the driver.
I started wondering to myself lately if this concept could be extended to the full audio spectrum, that is to add a driver on either side of my head near my ears. If the drivers are large enough in diameter, I would again be in the nearfield (up to some relatively high frequency at least) and I would be creating something like an open-back headphone but with completely open-air drivers. Is this a crazy idea? Not sure, I have never attempted something like this. I am concerned that above 1kHz or so, some odd effects from the interaction of my head and the driver (e.g. interference) will take place and the frequency response will be anything but smooth. Also, there will be no way to measure the response (I like to measure) so I will need to adjust any FR irregularities by the "seat of my pants" (e.g. by guessing).
Can anyone recall something like this - a full range nearfield "listening station"? Could this bring some real high fidelity in a DIY-only package? I might have to build a "listening throne" (e.g. a chair-and-speaker contraption) test bed.
Any thoughts on driver selection (size, type, etc) for full-range nearfield listening are welcome. What is the best way to implement this idea?