I use electric filters in my speaker systems because they do not perform well without them. I do not feel that a filter degrades the sound any, so I guess one could be used on a horn if required. I am still new to horns and have not spnet much time building, testing, or listening to one. For me, a SS amp allows an easy implementation of a filter because the efficiency of the speaker is not critical, there is plenty of power. I am not sure I know how else to answer your questions.

Martin

I really do not know the answer to your question. In most cases you are looking to maximize the bass output to balance the mid and high end. You can use a back loaded horn to offset the baffle step but as you say the size becomes an issue. I don't see any easy way to get the volume of bass required to run a speaker system without a BSC circuit without it becoming very large like a back loaded horn. Bass reflex, TL's, TQWT's and closed boxes do not seem to produce this type of bass volume.

Martin

Martin

Thanks for the positive feedback on my site.

A few weeks ago I posted my first pass analysis of horn loaded (front and back) loudspeakers on my site. This si a first cut and I will be visiting several areas of horn design in more detail this winter. Horns have me fascinated and I hope to be able to look at things a little bit different from the way it has been done in the past.

After posting the horn articles, I took a slight detour to finish upgrading my closed and ported box worksheets to be 3D, standing waves in all three directions in the enclosure. This is almost done and I am going to write a short document on the impact of different standing waves on the system performance, this includes a look at the golden ratio design method.

Oh, at some point this winter I want to build another Lowther based speaker system.

Keeping busy,

Martin

The former will lead to higher efficiency, but the latter will lead to cheaper construction (by far), ability to adapt parameter values and tailor to different rooms, and can even lead to multiple frequency spectra contouring. It will of course lead to lower efficiency. If one is using a decent power amp, it should be OK.

I know you have favored the latter approach, and to some extent, my home brew is a mix between the latter & the former ( I don;t use a horn but a traditional BR, with a subtle step circuit). The eff is around 95 db for me.

I just thought anyone who has not read our earlier posts on this may find this useful to know.
thanx
-akhilesh

Very nice summary! I think that you have stated the trade-offs and compromises involved accurately.

Martin