AES E-Library

An Efficiency Constant Comparison Between Low-Frequency Horns and Direct-Radiators

Evaluation of the efficiency constant for exponential horns reveals that the horn is quite wasteful in its use of enclosed volume when compared to direct-radiator systems. The main advantage of horns lies in the realizability of rather high efficiencies in the 10% to 40% range which is beyond the capabilities of most direct radiators. Use of direct radiators in arrays increases the low frequency efficiency but not without a decrease of high frequency bandwidth. The areas discussed in this paper are illustrated by comparative experimental measurements on three low frequency systems: 1) A dual driver front loaded folded horn, 2) a single driver direct radiator vented-box system, and 3) a four-driver vented-box system consisting of a 2x2 array of a single driver system of item #2.

Author: Keele, Jr., D. B. (Don)
Affiliation: Electro-Voice, Inc., Buchanan, MI
AES Convention:54 (May 1976) Paper Number:1127 Import into BibTeX

Click to purchase paper or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member and would like to subscribe to the E-Library then Join the AES!

This paper costs $20 for non-members, $5 for AES members and is free for E-Library subscribers.

Learn more about the AES E-Library

E-Library Location: (CD aes9)   /pp7680/pp7605/1229.pdf

Start a discussion about this paper!