Applications Horn loudspeaker

1 applications

1.1 public address , concert use
1.2 commercial theaters
1.3 audiophiles , home use

applications
public address , concert use

horn loudspeakers used in many audio applications. drivers in horn loudspeakers can small, bass frequencies conventional loudspeakers need large equivalent performance. horn loudspeakers can designed reproduce wide range of frequencies using single, small driver; extent these can designed without requiring crossover. lowther, fostex, , goodmans firms have produced such designs.

horn loudspeakers can used provide high sound pressure levels needed sound reinforcement , public address applications, although in these high sound pressure applications, high fidelity compromised sake of necessary efficiency, , controlled dispersion characteristics required in large volume spaces. gunness focusing , new method of counteracting of horn distortions, in time domain, pioneered dave gunness while eastern acoustic works (eaw). eaw horn-loaded loudspeakers have been processed proprietary system show reduced compression driver diaphragm/phase plug time-smear distortion while retaining high output power , controlled dispersion.

concert venues use large arrays of horn loudspeakers high-volume bass reproduction ( bass bins or subwoofers), in order provide bass concertgoers can not hear feel. combining multiple horn loudspeakers in array affords same benefits having single horn greater mouth area: low frequency cut-off extends lower horn mouth gets larger, , array has greater output power of multiple drivers.

commercial theaters

commercial cinema theaters use horn-loaded loudspeakers pattern control , increased sensitivity needed fill large room. examples of manufacturers of commercial theater speakers are: jbl, eaw, danley sound labs, meyer sound, tannoy, , klipsch.

audiophiles , home use

consumer audio employs horn loudspeakers controlled directivity (to limit audio reflections room surfaces such walls, floor, , ceiling) , greater speaker sensitivity. high end audio companies such avantgarde, acapella audio arts, oswalds mill audio, , volti audio manufacture high priced horn loudspeakers home.

horn loudspeakers can provide high efficiencies, making them match low-powered amplifiers, such single-ended triode amps or other tube amplifiers. after wwii, hi-fi fans went far build low frequency horns mouths took of wall of listening room. throats outside on lawn, or in basement. coming of stereo in 1960s, approach seen. many loudspeaker buyers , do-it-yourself loudspeaker fans sought smaller designs aesthetic reasons.

some audiophiles use horn loudspeakers audio reproduction, while others eschew horn systems harmonic resonances, finding in them unpleasant form of distortion. since there variety of horn designs (of differing length, material, , taper, different drivers) is, extent, impossible give such blanket characterizations horn loudspeakers. audiophiles using low power amplifiers, in 5 twenty-five watt range, may find typically high efficiency of horn loudspeakers attractive feature because makes possible reach playable music levels. conversely, greater care must taken in selection of ones audio gear, high sensitivity can make background noise present @ amplifier outputs noticeably worse @ distances of typical living room.

film soundtracks have great dynamic range peak levels 20 db greater average levels. higher sensitivity aids in achieving movie theater sound levels @ listening position typical ~100 watts-per-channel receiver/amplifiers used in home cinema.