CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

bbfarmht · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:11 am Post subject: folded horn speakers

Who has experience with this type of speaker?

Would this not be an ideal speaker for ht? I've never heard these before. There is quiet a bit of info, but mostly from small custom builders.

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

mike calcott · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 307 Location: Australia

Klips corner horns will make your ears bleed

**kal** · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:38 am Post subject:

Make sure to give them a listen first. Not everyone likes the sound of horn speakers. They are super-efficient however.

Kal

bbfarmht · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:49 am Post subject:

So, they would be great if you were to use a tube amp?

Really what I am looking for is a speaker that has a very nice mid-range.

I listened to some B&Ws and I liked the way they handled the mid-range, and that the highs were not harsh or over powering.

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

bbfarmht · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:17 am Post subject:

I've seen the plans and also the complete speakers.

The plans however, seem to just be for the subs.

Not sure where I could go to find someone with some to hear them. So I was thinking that I might try to make folded horn sub to get a feel for them.

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

Folded horn speakers tend to be 2-way. 1 horn (deep throat) and 1 big sub (15" or larger). The magnet on the sub driver is not that big by todays sub driver standards.

wallace

jask · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 10165 Location: kamloops BC

The Tannoy GRF-pro horn design on this page looks insane to build : http://www.hilberink.nl/codehans/tannoy18.htm more Tannoy goodness Smile

with some cool home built cabinets: http://www.hilberink.nl/speaker.htm

deronmoped · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1154 Location: San Diego

I have some folded 18" Cerwin Vega's, they kick butt using them as subs. I got to listen to some Klipschorn's a long time ago, what I remember is that they had incredible bass and they were huge.

Deron.

Axatax · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:

enigma · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 24 Location: Australia

Hey guys,

Horn speakers are a whole new can of worms.

There are front loaded & rear loaded designs, Klipsch horns for example are front loaded. Front loaded is where the horn extends from the front of the driver & you guessed it, rear loaded is where the horn extends from the rear.

Valve amps are perfect for horns for two main reasons, horns are efficent and only require low wattage, valve amps are low wattage and operate at their optimum with just a few watts.

If you run a solid state amp at a few watts, the sound can be terrible because it is not performing within its optimum range.

Klipsch are 3 way designs, many horns with single drivers are full range designs and sound sweet. Some designs can benefit from the use of subwoofers, many are fine without them. It really comes down to taste and design.

It is best to get to know what they are and pick a design that suites your needs. Stick with modern designs as they are better. Klipsch still manufacture their horn speakers.

Here is some info; http://jasondiyaudio.blogspot.com/2008/01/diy-back-loaded-horn-speakers-blh_15.html

also google Hedlund or Carfrae or Kleinhorn for some great full range, back loaded folded horn designs using either lowther or fostex drivers. The Carfrae has a subwoofer as part of the design.

All the best with building them.