Hi all,
I'm an audio pro in the early stages of learning about open baffle designs and will soon be trying some experiments. I know that open baffle speakers present some unique opportunities and challenges but I wanted to ask a question.
In a world without limits what would a possible "perfect" open baffle system look like? I'm talking a world where space is not an issue, the room can acoustically treated to optimize the performance, any drivers are available, any baffle size etc etc.
I'm imagining a 3 or 4 way system with ATC mids, fully active, DSP crossover, as much amp power as is needed. There's also no limit to driver count… how about 4 x 15" drivers for the bottom few octaves? You get where I'm going with this.
Thanks!
I'm an audio pro in the early stages of learning about open baffle designs and will soon be trying some experiments. I know that open baffle speakers present some unique opportunities and challenges but I wanted to ask a question.
In a world without limits what would a possible "perfect" open baffle system look like? I'm talking a world where space is not an issue, the room can acoustically treated to optimize the performance, any drivers are available, any baffle size etc etc.
I'm imagining a 3 or 4 way system with ATC mids, fully active, DSP crossover, as much amp power as is needed. There's also no limit to driver count… how about 4 x 15" drivers for the bottom few octaves? You get where I'm going with this.
Thanks!
Thanks Allen, I work in an extraordinary mastering room that uses large flush mounted ATCs. It's as close to perfect as one could ask for but I'm keen to explore the in room polar pattern effects of open baffle systems.
Linkwitz says we want the full audio range to be omnidirectional in an untreated room (MF and HF on rear as well as front). I'm curious what would happen with a large open baffle system in a room that has effective broadband treatment at each end with the baffle placed roughly halfway in the room ("nulls" facing the untreated or lightly treated side walls).
Linkwitz says we want the full audio range to be omnidirectional in an untreated room (MF and HF on rear as well as front). I'm curious what would happen with a large open baffle system in a room that has effective broadband treatment at each end with the baffle placed roughly halfway in the room ("nulls" facing the untreated or lightly treated side walls).
From here - Conclusions
"If dipole behavior covers the full frequency range, then the room response becomes perceptually masked by the direct sound"
"The radiation from the rear of the cone must not be absorbed, but the distance to the nearest reflecting/diffusing surface should be at least 3' (1 m)."
"If dipole behavior covers the full frequency range, then the room response becomes perceptually masked by the direct sound"
"The radiation from the rear of the cone must not be absorbed, but the distance to the nearest reflecting/diffusing surface should be at least 3' (1 m)."
Yes, sorry, a clumsy paraphrasing of his words (it had been a while since I read it).
And yes I mean effective absorption right down into the LF. I suppose I'm wondering if one can get some of the "non box" sound of open baffle without the more reverberant or live characteristics of the typical dipole in living room setup.
The last bass trap I constructed was just shy of 800 cubic feet and it was incredibly effective. We had the space (almost 1000 sq ft room) and the budget for a low tech solution and it was an absolute joy. I can imagine a room with a similar trap at each end and a large open baffle system near the middle.
What would that full range OB system look like? What would the baffle shape be if anything was possible? What would the driver compliment be for power handling and LF extension if anything was possible?
And yes I mean effective absorption right down into the LF. I suppose I'm wondering if one can get some of the "non box" sound of open baffle without the more reverberant or live characteristics of the typical dipole in living room setup.
The last bass trap I constructed was just shy of 800 cubic feet and it was incredibly effective. We had the space (almost 1000 sq ft room) and the budget for a low tech solution and it was an absolute joy. I can imagine a room with a similar trap at each end and a large open baffle system near the middle.
What would that full range OB system look like? What would the baffle shape be if anything was possible? What would the driver compliment be for power handling and LF extension if anything was possible?
The null to the side in practice isn't really much of one, you are still going to have side wall reflections. Usually a baffle as small as possible is used for, IIRC, two main reasons, for the best dipole radiation and not to block the front wall reflection (normally we want that). What you are describing sounds like it's approaching an IB as AllenB suggested. So, if there is no reflection to block and no real dipole radiation to accommodate, I'd suggest a large baffle, the larger it is the less cone area would be required.
It absolutely is. Time is short, as in, it's 2am and I just finished at the studio short but I'm keen.
I think I'll start with a 6'x4' x 2 sheets layered and see what happens. Not sure what's the best way to prop them up for experiments, maybe a pair of legs on hinges and chain to limit movement, like a big easel.
Sure, I work with a high end pro speaker manufacturer part time so I have setup thousands of systems. I have a decent cal'd mic, Prism Lyra, REW system and a dScope. What I lack is a yard for open air measurements but I do have one decent sized room at home.
Might work. And if I can make it happen there will be nothing pretty about it! They will be quick and dirty to scratch and itch I have about OB.
ATC's midrange is a dome with closed backside. It doesn't work as dipole at all, just like most tweeters don't.
Dipole speakers are more like luthier's artesanery rather than blacksmith's hammering! Delicate and almost a mission impossible! They don't sound special in a well damped room, they need those front and sidewall reflections to sound right - "dipolic" and to "enlighten the room with music"
Dipole speakers are more like luthier's artesanery rather than blacksmith's hammering! Delicate and almost a mission impossible! They don't sound special in a well damped room, they need those front and sidewall reflections to sound right - "dipolic" and to "enlighten the room with music"
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