DSP midrange directivity control aka kinda cardioid

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This document contains more information on the BeoLab 90: Technical Sound Guide
Two polars from this document:

omni.png
narrow.png

The narrow looks nice but the omni leaves a lot to be desired.

regards,

Gerrit
 
I've been thinking for some time that I'd like to try that.....until I think of the cost and complexity. I'd need 3 maybe 4 channels of dsp/amps plus about 5 drivers. That's just for ONE speaker and only a bandwidth of about 3.5 octaves......if I'm lucky. I might put one together with some stuff I have laying around for fun, but I couldn't imagine actually building it for anything other than curiosity.
 
Are you implying that the measurement plots are not really measurement plots but that they are generated by a marketeer with Photoshop? I don't know, they look genuine to me.

No, but I didn't see any measurements in your link. The other post has some measurements, but not a very complete set, just a sample of what I'[d want to see. PolarMaps are the only real way to see performance.
 
I'd love to play with a pair- I do think that the high price is somewhat justified by the very cool variable acoustic performance features. Yes, it could be duplicated with a savvy DSP user DIY, but to have a slick package you control from a mobile device like that really does take a company like B&O to pull together- a smaller shop could pull it off but they wouldn't have the guaranteed sales B&O has that mitigate the risk from relatively high R&D costs.

It's a unique setup- and while the cost is indeed extreme, you do get something that's unlike anything else on market, which is pretty cool.
 
^^ Good value in general - sound, design and prestige combined. Not so sure about B&O 90 speaker spesifically. Their products are not über priced like some esoteric hifi brands. More in the category of Linn and Accuphase, but more focused on design. I guess that most people recognize B&O in a second worldwide! Name some others? Rolex, MacBook, Alessi, ???

I have never owned any, but have admired them since '70s. (oops - I have some ICEpower modules playing classical right now)

I have more and more learned to give respect to their R&D. They have ICEpower amplifiers, automotive specials for RollsRoyce and BMW etc. but that division was recently sold to H&K... Harman Kardon acquires Bang & Olufsen Automotive
 
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I do think that the high price is somewhat justified by the very cool variable acoustic performance features.

Yes, maybe, but here is the way I see it. There is a correct design from a polar response perspective - adjustable is not an asset, but a "fun feature" - fun to play with, but not too useful as time goes on. A single design would be far far less costly, just not as sexy. So its not the implementation that is lacking IMO, but the intention.

Maybe that's what customers want? Perhaps, time will tell if this new speaker can "save the day." My bet is on "not".
 
I have more and more learned to give respect to their R&D. They have ICEpower amplifiers,

You do know that they didn't develop "Ice Power". It was a Danish Technical Univ. project by a grad student. I believe that B&O bought it and the grad student.

I spent awhile at B&O and the DTU back when B&O was looking to partner with someone in automotive. It didn't work the first time, but it did the second. Now Harman has it. They and Bose own the automotive audio land.
 
Yes, maybe, but here is the way I see it. There is a correct design from a polar response perspective - adjustable is not an asset, but a "fun feature" - fun to play with, but not too useful as time goes on. A single design would be far far less costly, just not as sexy. So its not the implementation that is lacking IMO, but the intention.

Maybe that's what customers want? Perhaps, time will tell if this new speaker can "save the day." My bet is on "not".

I know that philosophically, you're a "there's a right way" kind of guy, but I do think there's a place for being able to choose your pattern- Omni for a party, for ex. I can see the pattern variations serving different recordings well, in addition to listener seating or even mood.

Part of the fun for me in DIY is the variation in system performance- different systems having different strengths, making you dig through your records to hear different perspectives on the recordings. B&O opened that door for non-diyers with this system.

This is actually the first product of theirs I've found interesting at all, the SAW lenses don't interest me at all, nor their other gear.

FWIW, I do find that a DI matched 2 way of substantial size is the best speaker I've built- and I don't find myself wanting to swap in new bits, though a cardioid mid is calling my name, with all the PITA complexity that brings.
 
Badman = I am very much of the belief that there is a singular "right way". If you believe in accuracy as the goal then there has to be a single way to achieve this. If its a subjective thing then sure your opinions will change constantly with no single right answer for today.

I find music lovers mostly of the accuracy set and people who like to play with the equipment of the subjective set - the more they can change the better. And somehow never seem to find the "That's the spot!" sound.
 
I know that philosophically, you're a "there's a right way" kind of guy, but I do think there's a place for being able to choose your pattern- Omni for a party, for ex. I can see the pattern variations serving different recordings well, in addition to listener seating or even mood.


I look at it a little differently. I don't see much value in changing pattern on the fly. But being able to optimize directivity for the actual room strikes me as valuable. A few years ago we lived in a loft. The only way to set up the system had the left/right speakers further from a sidewall than from each other. My Tannoy 12DMT2's did not sound very good. Imaging was flat and small. I moved to speakers with a wider pattern - 5" concentric - and there was some imaging again. Though it only really sounded right in Pro Logic II with sides and rears to add some reflections. Now our living room is narrow and deep...and the Tannoys might be getting new cabinets.

My point is that my experience tells me that "optimal" MF/HF directivity varies greatly with room configuration, and that's often the fixed variable in a system. So a speaker that can adapt to the room as it is could be useful.
 
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