by Erik Michaels of Megasound
For those of us who are not acoustic engineers, the debate over which type of loudspeakers are best for a particular use may not seem like much of an issue. However, loudspeakers are what transform the electrical signal sent to them into sound and will change the sound you hear more than any other part of a sound system. You may think that a loudspeaker is a loudspeaker, but that is just like saying that a DJ/MC is a DJ/MC. We all know that some are better than others and the same holds true for loudspeakers as well.
Horn-loaded loudspeakers offer you better sound than bass reflex loudspeakers.
1. Horn-loaded speakers are more efficient at converting the electrical signal sent to them into sound energy, so they require less power to create a given sound volume.
2. These speakers project their sound much further than other speakers. Have you ever noticed when you took your own loudspeakers outdoors that the sound coming from them seemed to "evaporate"?
3. Most loudspeaker designs for home use employ either bass reflex or acoustic suspension as their design, and since they are designed for the average-sized living room, they work very well as long as they are in that size of a room. Your wedding reception hall, however, is much bigger and will require larger speakers in order to create that same sound as what you are used to in your living room. This is one reason you would want horn-loaded speakers as opposed to other types of speakers.
4. Another reason that horn-loaded speakers are better is that they create less distortion. Since horn-loaded enclosures are more efficient at creating sound in the first place, they require far less power to achieve a certain volume (sound pressure level). This means that one doesn't have to push the amplifier as hard and therefore reduces cone breakup, which causes one form of distortion. While there are other forms of distortion which are also reduced, what you will hear is more crystal clear sound than from other types of loudspeakers. In fact, most sports stadiums utilize horn-loaded speakers for these very same reasons.
The reason most DJ/MCs do NOT use horn-loaded loudspeakers is because of their size and cost. Yes, they are generally larger than bass reflex speakers, which also means that they are heavier. They are also more expensive than bass reflex speakers. However, their excellent sound quality and superior projection qualities make them a much better choice in all but the smallest reception halls.
In fact, horn-loading is so popular that even most professional bass reflex speakers utilize horn-loaded midrange and high frequency (tweeter) drivers. Unfortunately, the all-important bass driver is left out. As a result, a subwoofer is then required to produce the "chest-thumping" bass which can easily be produced utilizing horn-loaded bass drivers. Once again, utilizing 100% horn-loaded loudspeakers produces less distortion, provides further projection, and gives you more accuracy than similar-sized bass reflex speakers.
Horn-loaded loudspeakers offer you better sound than bass reflex loudspeakers.
1. Horn-loaded speakers are more efficient at converting the electrical signal sent to them into sound energy, so they require less power to create a given sound volume.
2. These speakers project their sound much further than other speakers. Have you ever noticed when you took your own loudspeakers outdoors that the sound coming from them seemed to "evaporate"?
3. Most loudspeaker designs for home use employ either bass reflex or acoustic suspension as their design, and since they are designed for the average-sized living room, they work very well as long as they are in that size of a room. Your wedding reception hall, however, is much bigger and will require larger speakers in order to create that same sound as what you are used to in your living room. This is one reason you would want horn-loaded speakers as opposed to other types of speakers.
4. Another reason that horn-loaded speakers are better is that they create less distortion. Since horn-loaded enclosures are more efficient at creating sound in the first place, they require far less power to achieve a certain volume (sound pressure level). This means that one doesn't have to push the amplifier as hard and therefore reduces cone breakup, which causes one form of distortion. While there are other forms of distortion which are also reduced, what you will hear is more crystal clear sound than from other types of loudspeakers. In fact, most sports stadiums utilize horn-loaded speakers for these very same reasons.
The reason most DJ/MCs do NOT use horn-loaded loudspeakers is because of their size and cost. Yes, they are generally larger than bass reflex speakers, which also means that they are heavier. They are also more expensive than bass reflex speakers. However, their excellent sound quality and superior projection qualities make them a much better choice in all but the smallest reception halls.
In fact, horn-loading is so popular that even most professional bass reflex speakers utilize horn-loaded midrange and high frequency (tweeter) drivers. Unfortunately, the all-important bass driver is left out. As a result, a subwoofer is then required to produce the "chest-thumping" bass which can easily be produced utilizing horn-loaded bass drivers. Once again, utilizing 100% horn-loaded loudspeakers produces less distortion, provides further projection, and gives you more accuracy than similar-sized bass reflex speakers.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment