Posted by GarMan [ 64.10.99.229 ] on March 08, 2004 at 22:27:27:

Straighten me out if I'm wrong. My understanding is that the horn in front of a compression driver acts as a transformer, to allow for a better impedence match between the diaphram and the air in the room. The end result is increased sensitivity.

What I don't understand is, most compression drivers with horn flares are typically 10dB to 15dB more sensitive than the cone drivers in the same speaker. Why attach the flare to increase SPL, and then attenuate it with an L-pad? Can't compression drivers be used without flares, and therefore, operate at (almost) the same sensitivity level as the woofers?

Gar.

Replies:

• Dynamic range - Wayne Parham 11:19:52 03/09/04 (2)
  • Re: Dynamic range: why is it important to listenng at moderate levels? - akhilesh 08:43:23 03/11/04 (1)
    • Re: Dynamic range: why is it important to listenng at moderate levels? - Wayne Parham 09:47:48 03/11/04 (0)
• Re: Why Flares? - Dean Kukral 23:21:30 03/08/04 (1)
  • Re: Why Flares? - Adrian Mack 01:05:35 03/09/04 (0)