.. For example if I wanted to try different traxtic horns, could I build with cardboard and glue, put some kind of test driver in there (big or tiny) and take measurements at super low volume?
I know from my own experience that cardboard has a strong tendency to resonate, unless you make it very stiff.
Those resonances will affect any measurement, even very low volume.
But it's still fun and interesting to do!
Have a look at foamboard threads here on diyaudio, foam core makes the board stiff and seems to be very usable:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/foam-core-board-speaker-enclosures.223313/
Those resonances will affect any measurement, even very low volume.
But it's still fun and interesting to do!
Have a look at foamboard threads here on diyaudio, foam core makes the board stiff and seems to be very usable:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/foam-core-board-speaker-enclosures.223313/
They are very well skinned with uncoated paper too. This is a good thing, the core is polystyrene and does it is difficult to get good shear strength with skins on that. The factory applied paper then makes a great scrim for the face. Try applying .5mm self-adhesive aluminium foil onto the paper on both sides. This makes for an amazing lightweight panel
Especially if you're just testing something out, and you don't care how it looks, you can use cardboard and then cover the back of the horn with expanding foam. It makes it quite functional, and that stuff sticks to EVERYTHING.
I've never had any luck trying to go with very cheap / lightweight construction, with design ideas.
They have varied too inconsistently as I make adjustments.
And most importantly, they have always been quite different from good solid construction, when I found a cheapo I liked enough to build for real.
They have varied too inconsistently as I make adjustments.
And most importantly, they have always been quite different from good solid construction, when I found a cheapo I liked enough to build for real.