On the array forum, Dan Wiggins and Jim Griffin discussed the science behind near field arrays. It is interesting, so go look if you haven't seen it already. I took another look at Adire Audio after that and the Tempest horn sub grabbed my attention. Do any of you have experience with this sub? It might have been overlooked because it looks like it might be one of the best hornsubs going.

• Tempest horn sub

Question:

Where is the happy medium here? If horns work best when using a small driver, why not just keep getting smaller? Go down to a 4" driver. Don't stop there, go with 2".

The problem is that the smaller you go, the further you must thrust the cone. Seems to me the compromise is size of box verses depth of bass. This is basically the same compromise as a non horn bass speaker.

That brings me back to thinking size matters.

What I can say for sure is that using a ten I get the same performance as a 15 or 18, or 21 for that matter, from a considerably smaller box. On the other hand, if the boxes are the same size with equal mouth sizes they have the same radiating area, while the longer horn made possible by the smaller driver and smaller chamber required to house it gives a longer pathway for a lower Fc and a higher acoustical impedance for both lower extension and higher SPL.

• http://www.audioroundtable.com/Speaker/messages/240.html

note: not THE SMALLEST driver.

but Smaller,One that has enough Vd, 10/12" units have enough thesedays.

Xmax getting into the inches!

Rear chamber size becomes a problem with 18" units etc

There just isnt a point when compactness is required

Im only using my jbl 2226 on a horn because i own it already and want to use it. a new 10" will achieve much the same SPL on a horn,with compactness and only slightly reduced output