srs question, direct radiators vs horns

[WiSounds]

I'm sitting in front of 3 yorkie powered 18s at a dnb and dubstep show.

The output is sick.


This makes me think.



How many db does the horn filter out?

How many horns than direct radiators do we have to carry based on the fact of harmonic content?

Zyr vodka is the best going btw. Trainwreck and earplugs not excluded.

[WiSounds]

Dancefloor pleasure in the first 3 feet important.

[WiSounds]

The THT graph is a comparison between horn, ported direct and sealed direct right?

[Monomer]

it wont sound as good when the vodka wears off...

[Radian]

It's not how much, but where the perceived difference occurs. At least 1% THD, and at frequencies your ear is more sensitive at. Remember what Max Mercy was talking about back during his THT build? It took me two seconds to hear the difference in the amount of distortion coming out of that tapped horn I recently built over a pair of AT's. In my case, it manifested itself as a slight lack of clarity in the mid-bass over the AT's, that distinctive driver "wuh" sound on loud, sharp impulses and extra "warmth" when playing tones at very loud volumes. It's kinda difficult for me to describe the timbre in words, but I can pick it out quicker than my mother's voice in a crowd.

The nice thing with a folded horn is you can add that back in with EQ or DSP if you like, but you can't pull it out of a direct radiator sub so easily. No greater number of cabs necessary.

Check this out by listening to the tone. (if your ears aren't already there from the show )

http://www.bcae1.com/thd.htm

*edit* added the %$#* link...woops

[WiSounds]

See, I'm a rock solid believer in horns.

The folks jumping atm aren't... yet.

I just want to make sure that 140 at 20 is enough.




Eqivalent loudness curves may be making me carry 4 or 6 minimum.

20hz is THAT important to DnB and Dubstep.



P.S. I am wearing earplugs.

[WiSounds]

I'm most likely jumping at shadows, but every perspective must be considered.

Even pilled out ravers.

[Radian]

Reading back on the history of horn subwoofers in comparison to other options, I'm reminded of this movie quote from Office Space:

http://www.wavlist.com/movies/317/ofsp-grammys.wav

Draw what lines you see fit...

[Dave Non-Zero]

I just did a dnb dubstep show last night with 6t48 and 4 280. You could still have a conversation while 1foot from the mouth of the stack of subs running at full pelt. I still want more.

[LelandCrooks]

I just did a dnb dubstep show last night with 6t48 and 4 280. You could still have a conversation while 1foot from the mouth of the stack of subs running at full pelt. I still want more.

That's because of clarity. You don't have that harmonic distortion muddying up those lower vocal frequencies. The only true test is a db meter. When you're talking in front of the stack you're modulating existing frequencies. If there's already a bunch of noise in the frequency you need, there's no room for your voice to change it anymore. I've been around when horns hit over 130db at shootouts. Your ears are plugged, your body is vibrating, and you can still hear someone talk. Their voice is modulated by the frequency. It's very bizarre.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

That's because of clarity. You don't have that harmonic distortion muddying up those lower vocal frequencies. .

Exactly. With direct radiators above bandwidth distortion can run right up into the midrange, and then you run in to Haas Effect masking, where that distortion is louder than speech and therefore renders speech inaudible. Since horns filter out above bandwidth harmonics you can run them 30dB and more higher than speech level and still hear speech just fine.

[Gauss]

What's that? Super low bass is nearly impossible to hear and only the harmonic distortion at higher frequencies makes it sound loud?

[Radian]

The urge to puke could be an indicator.

[WiSounds]

I need to start carrying a poket spl meter.

It is slightly frustrating that so much harmonic distortion and noise that isn't in the original signal is considered acceptable, if not even right.

I'm curious if the THD, when the systems around here are run full tilt, doesn't hit 10 or 20 percent.


I find it slighty funny that everyone else bops away unkowingly, yet I sit on my droid at 3am and worry about this stuff enough to post.

[Sydney]

I'm curious if the THD, when the systems around here are run full tilt, doesn't hit 10 or 20 percent.

Paul Klipsch wrote this series Modulation Distortion in Loudspeakers"
http://www.readresearch.co.uk/loudspeak ... icle_1.pdf
See page 3 Bass Loudspeakers

Syd