How much does rear horn loading add to full range driver?


Found a tower speaker using a single 3" full range Tang Band titanium driver. The rear wave is horn loaded via the 43" tall tower. The speaker had some pretty good reviews.

I listen at lower volumes in a smaller room.and actually have some Norh 3 drum speakers using a 3" Tang Band driver. The enclosure is roughly LS/35A size and ported. For vocals they are loud enough. Norh claims they play down to 75hz. 

How much volume is gained by horn loading the rear wave? Would a horn enclosure 43 x 9 x 6" inches be likely to play lower than a ported shoebox size speaker? These wouldn't be my main speakers, just an interesting addition.

Thanks,

aldnorab 

aldnorab
Post removed 

It's common ASR wisdom that "fullrange drivers are hot flaming garbage and you should be deeply embarassed to evoke them in any conversation". 

FWIW a friend of mine has been struggling with 'full range' drivers for the last 20 years. He keeps asking if I can help him out he refuses any kind of crossover or additional drivers like a tweeter. When he plays simple musical material the speakers sound world class. But if the music is more complex, particularly if there is bass and volume there's nothing for it- they lose their clarity.

He keeps trying different drivers, Lowther, PHY, Voxitive (field coil), Tangband, AER, Cube apparently expecting different results. Not happened yet...

 

 

Hi @atmasphere,

What do you think about using good quality 'full range' driver as a midrange in 3-way speakers. What do you prefer for midrange in high sensitive speakers - 'full range' driver or compression driver with horn? 

Regards,

Alex.

 

Hi     @alexberger .... ideally when building a 3 way, I prefer to get a mid that handles the entire vocal range.  when you can (if your driver is good enough) you benefit greatly to keep the crossover out of the vocal range..  Even though a voice can go a bit lower and higher, overall, if you can keep a usable frequency from around 100hz and topping out at say 3000 to 4000,  You should get excellent performance.  To give you an idea,  the spoken voice is typically from around 250 to maybe 600 hz or so.  even if you had to cross as low as 2500 on top, that single driver will do a good job.....IF it has the frequency curve that fits your taste.  I hope this helps,  Tim