Horn designs and their characteristics

[Lautreamont]

Dear all

For quite some time I contemplated building my own speakers.

I have dreamt of owning horn speakers. I have listened to a couple of horn system and with the risk of articulating myself a bit too categorical, I find that some horns convey music naturally with both dynamics and transient speed, whereas other horns are too airy and lack character. Some of them might have a bit of coloration of the horn itself.
I could elaborate on this categorical statement, but it might be safe to say, that if you desire a horn driven speaker system, you have to carefully consider which horn you choose.

I have been recommended - from different people - to look closer after horns by Le Cleac'h (Azurahorn) and Klangfilm 302 horns. There are circular horns, multicell horns and rectangular horns. Can someone please elaborate on their differences and their musical character? I wish I saw the fully integrated Western Electric system at Munich this year. Even though I will never have room for a system like that, it would indeed be impressive to listen to.

My listening room is 25 m2 (5 by 5) and approaching 2,7 m to the ceilings. I have thought if my room might be too small for horns, but I'm not exactly sure.

Please send your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you very much.

 

[Kofi Baffour]

Dear all

For quite some time I contemplated building my own speakers.

I have dreamt of owning horn speakers. I have listened to a couple of horn system and with the risk of articulating myself a bit too categorical, I find that some horns convey music naturally with both dynamics and transient speed, whereas other horns are too airy and lack character. Some of them might have a bit of coloration of the horn itself.
I could elaborate on this categorical statement, but it might be safe to say, that if you desire a horn driven speaker system, you have to carefully consider which horn you choose.

I have been recommended - from different people - to look closer after horns by Le Cleac'h (Azurahorn) and Klangfilm 302 horns. There are circular horns, multicell horns and rectangular horns. Can someone please elaborate on their differences and their musical character? I wish I saw the fully integrated Western Electric system at Munich this year. Even though I will never have room for a system like that, it would indeed be impressive to listen to.

My listening room is 25 m2 (5 by 5) and approaching 2,7 m to the ceilings. I have thought if my room might be too small for horns, but I'm not exactly sure.

Please send your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you very much.

your room is not too small for horns. your issue is having a room with square dimensions. will make room modes stack on too of each other and exacerbate them. So broadband absorption is your friend. and as for horns, I'd recommend the venerable JBL 4367.

if you wanna build your own horns, then approach it with a very iterative, physics of sound mind. DIYAudio website will be your friend and WinISD/Hornresp. are also your friends for the enclosure iterations for Horn based designs

You can also start by getting a decent horn Flat panel model and then learning from that. DIYSoundgroup has some you can buy

 

[Lautreamont]

your room is not too small for horns. your issue is having a room with square dimensions. will make room modes stack on too of each other and exacerbate them. So broadband absorption is your friend. and as for horns, I'd recommend the venerable JBL 4367.

if you wanna build your own horns, then approach it with a very iterative, physics of sound mind. DIYAudio website will be your friend and WinISD/Hornresp. are also your friends for the enclosure iterations for Horn based designs

You can also start by getting a decent horn Flat panel model and then learning from that. DIYSoundgroup has some you can buy

I'm glad that my room is not too small, but I agree that the dimensions are not optimal.

I will definitely not build my own horns, but I will more specifically put together the system.

Thanks for all the tips with websites!

I'd like to know more about the differences of the horn designs. Is there a significant difference or is it also a question of aesthetics. I could imagine that there is a significant difference in the sound qualities.

 

[Kofi Baffour]

I'm glad that my room is not too small, but I agree that the dimensions are not optimal.

I will definitely not build my own horns, but I will more specifically put together the system.

Thanks for all the tips with websites!

I'd like to know more about the differences of the horn designs. Is there a significant difference or is it also a question of aesthetics. I could imagine that there is a significant difference in the sound qualities.

Good luck

 

[Robh3606]

I have been recommended - from different people - to look closer after horns by Le Cleac'h (Azurahorn) and Klangfilm 302 horns. There are circular horns, multicell horns and rectangular horns.

Ignore all recommendations go listen and make up your own mind. Make a point of listening to all types, CD, Non CD and Waveguides.

Rob

 

[Lautreamont]

Ignore all recommendations go listen and make up your own mind. Make a point of listening to all types, CD, Non CD and Waveguides.

Rob

I agree. That would definitely be the most logical approach however I don't think I'm able to find Klangfilm horns anywhere to test.

Perhaps some preliminary reflections on the horns and their characteristics could be of some help. I read in the thread "Natural Sound", that rectangular horns have controlled directivity but can tend to have a more voluminous sound (I read somewhere the formulation "cinema sound").

 

[Robh3606]

I agree. That would definitely be the most logical approach however I don't think I'm able to find Klangfilm horns anywhere to test.

Perhaps some preliminary reflections on the horns and their characteristics could be of some help. I read in the thread "Natural Sound", that rectangular horns have controlled directivity but can tend to have a more voluminous sound (I read somewhere the formulation "cinema sound").

Do not take what is posted in online forums as anything other than opinion. There is no way that all rectangular horns are CD. There are plenty of rectangular Exponential horns out there that are definitely not CD.

Go find a good reference piece and read about the different types for example CD, Exponential, Tractrix, Radial, Smith, Oblate Spheroid waveguides and so on. All of these are different families and within each family are different pattern sizes from Long, Medium and short throw for different applications.

One of the most defining aspects of horns is Directivity, Each type differs. After experience you will end up with a preference. There are horns that are advertised to be CD that are not. You can clearly see this looking at a polar plot as an example.

Try to get a basic understanding on measurements. This will help get through the bogus claims made by some.

In any case make the best of it and enjoy the journey'


Rob

 

[bonzo75]

Do not take what is posted in online forums as anything other than opinion.

Ok I am ignoring this as your opinion, because I know most people on this forum are right.

 

[Robh3606]

Ok I am ignoring this as your opinion, because I know most people on this forum are right.

Lol touché! Well go to other Forums I see BS all the time. There are many things I know I am right about and one is my bias effects what I say. You will notice I didn't include my horn preference in the response.

Right as in Right for their own preferences? That is after all what we are really talking about. Seriously would you let yourself be steered by people you have never met and take their word as gospel?

Rob

 

[bonzo75]

Lol touché! Well go to other Forums I see BS all the time. There are many things I know I am right about and one is my bias effects what I say. You will notice I didn't include my horn preference in the response.

Right as in Right for their own preferences? That is after all what we are really talking about. Seriously would you let yourself be steered by people you have never met and take their word as gospel?

Rob

That was a joke

 

[Robh3606]

That was a joke

Lol that's part of the problem with this medium. Sometimes it's hard to tell. Next time wink!

Rob