A Novel Constant Directivity Horn

Dario Cinanni details its acoustic simulation study about high-frequency horn driver transducers. Using a novel equation that correlates the matrix of a virtual horn and measured compression driver pressure, it is possible to easily predict the absolute sound pressure level (SPL) of the real horn driver frequency response. The results showed a good match between simulations and measurements up to 15 kHz. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, December 2019.

Voice Coil December 2019 features an outstanding article on constant directivity horn design from Dario Cinanni, followed by a new Spotlight feature on MEMS loudspeakers by Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific), and a new vendors directory. Next up, James Croft reviews a new loudspeaker enclosure patent recently awarded to Bang & Olufsen, and Vance Dickason offers two complete characterizations of new pro sound drivers from Dayton Audio and BMS.

The book “High-Quality Horn Loudspeaker Systems" by Bjørn Kolbrek and Thomas Dunker is being released this month on different channels and the official launch took place at the 147th AES Convention in New York. The massive 1070-page hardcover book caused quite an impression among AES members and the visitors who attended the two signing events on Wednesday and Friday. Several audioXpress and Voice Coil authors were very impressed with the book and took copies for review.

Visitors to the NAMM 2019 show new AAC North halls couldn’t help noticing a Celestion booth prominently featuring a big red horn. That second Celestion booth at the show, was used by the British manufacturer to specifically promote its professional audio products and services to OEM’s. That same bespoke Big Red Horn was now displayed with the cutting-edge Axi2050 wideband axiperiodic compression driver at the 2019 Prolight+Sound show in Frankfurt.

Martin Audio has announced the TH Series, comprising two very high performance, all-horn, three-way systems in both a horizontally and vertically formatted package. The new loudspeaker series was designed to complement the styling of Martin Audio's best-selling CDD and BlacklineX Series and are ideal for nightclub and large scale installs. THH is configured in a horizontal format while THV is its vertical counterpart and the driver complement in both systems has been engineered for exemplary performance in all bands.

MAG Audio, the professional transducer and speaker systems manufacturer from Ukraine, introduced a new line of lightweight high-performance HF compression drivers. Following the introduction of the new N7000 series at trade shows, including Prolight+Sound 2016 in Frankfurt, MAG Audio now confirms availability of all three 2.8” aluminum voice coil titanium dome based models, with 1.4” , 1.5” and 2” throat diameters for different horn designs.

Horns are often used in loudspeaker systems for a variety of reasons. One may be to provide increased acoustical loading to the driver attached to the horn. This helps to increase the sensitivity/efficiency. Another may be to provide some control over the radiation pattern of the driver attached to the horn. Article originally published by Voice Coil, November 2010.