Do active speakers interest you? Also, let's talk directivity


Hey all. Don't think I've ever made a thread here. This is a super interesting community for me. I'm an audio professional, a mastering engineer and music educator. I'm someone who differs from much of the pro community, in that I don't see a difference between "pro" systems and "high-end" systems. 

There is one way they often differ, and that is in terms of directivity. Home systems are more frequently omni, while and studio or live sound requires directivity.

This was definitely the case in the 70s, back when audiophiles still had parties :D 

It's very hard to set up a directional system to fill a large room evenly unless you use a line array.

But let's be honest. Aren't we mostly sitting and listening, and hoping for a good image? We aren't expecting every spot in a big room to sound exactly the same for every guest. Personally, my social life is 95% virtual now and I am generally listening in my mastering room. I have a high end system in every room in my house, but my wife uses the living room system more than me (and she has better taste in music, so it's nice to learn about some new artists when she decides to put something on from he collection).

Anyway, I'm designing an active system. Though the cabinet is not large, with a combination of Hoge's principles and active electronics, we will achieve accurate response through to 20hz.

The reason to choose an active crossover is very obvious. Sending power directly to each driver allows us to use a very low sensitivity woofer, which thus plays much deeper than expected. We are using a ported woofer and a sealed midrange/hi cabinet, which are not sold separately. An interesting feature is the the very low-crossed ribbon tweeter carrying all of the high midrange and treble

It's an 1800w system, aimed at both the professional and home market. I'm curious, does this sound interesting to anyone? We are intending to have a prototype ready by 2022, so it is a ways off.

Part of the directivity concept is also dealing with room issues. Cancelling the rear energy of the woofers can help. I am inspired by Bruno and Merjin (whatever  his name :P). a big part of our concept has to do with advanced acoustic materials, which I don't want to discuss too much, as I don't think anyone else has thought of it or connected with that maker, yet

Curious to hear people's thoughts!
128x128mehtayoungs
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"... let’s talk directivity."

Imo really paying attention to directivity is part of getting "the basics" right. I applaud your emphasis on this typically under-appreciated aspect of loudspeaker design.

"To me, a soundsystem is an important health product..." 

Very interesting point of view. Imo music can provide wide access to transcendental experience in a world where we have rationalized away just about every other path which might offer such. 

"If you are familiar with Joachim Kriesler, he has a special method of dampening the rear energy of his speakers."

Who is Joachim Kriesler, and/or what speakers did he design?

Duke
I think that audiophiles generally want a euphonic sound...adding depth and ambience to the master recording. Boxes and analog crossovers will do this.

When you engineer to eliminate the box sound and create an active DSP speaker to control the drivers, you basically have a Genelec studio monitor. Ruler flat response, amazing imaging, and great bass for the size....

but audiophiles will listen to these technical marvels and wonder why their feet aren’t tapping...no emotional involvement. 


I ditched my system after hearing active speakers and I tap my feet more now than before. The biggest hurdle will be getting audiophiles over their OCD and to listen with their ears instead of their eyes. 
Have you ever seen an old school audiophile tapping his (her) feet?
I believe they prefer the warm box colored sound because it makes a good sleep..

(The warmth etc. should be in the recording, not the speaker.)