1.4 inch vs 2'' what are the differences between the two as far as sound? Throw? Any help.
Thanks
Thanks
Horn exit throat question ?
- Thread starter Alan Sledzieski
- Start date
Re: Horn exit throat question ?
In most cases the difference between a 1.4” and 2" (assuming the same size diaphragm, compression ratio etc.) is that the “diecast aluminum housing” (see below) is added to change the exit from about 1.4” to 2”.
Most people think bigger is better, but it’s not. It’s much easier to achieve pattern control if you start with a smaller throat. JBL horns such as the 2380 or EV HP64 all start with a 2” throat but reduced it to a ¾”(approx) slot in the first couple of inches so that they can achieve reasonable pattern control. It’s much better not to have to do that.
The reason we have 2” horns relates to the depth of the alnico magnet structures used in old compression drivers. They required an extra few inches of throat length.
In terms of performance you must also consider the horn flare. The smaller throat just allows more options and less compromises with the flare design.
In most cases the difference between a 1.4” and 2" (assuming the same size diaphragm, compression ratio etc.) is that the “diecast aluminum housing” (see below) is added to change the exit from about 1.4” to 2”.
Most people think bigger is better, but it’s not. It’s much easier to achieve pattern control if you start with a smaller throat. JBL horns such as the 2380 or EV HP64 all start with a 2” throat but reduced it to a ¾”(approx) slot in the first couple of inches so that they can achieve reasonable pattern control. It’s much better not to have to do that.
The reason we have 2” horns relates to the depth of the alnico magnet structures used in old compression drivers. They required an extra few inches of throat length.
In terms of performance you must also consider the horn flare. The smaller throat just allows more options and less compromises with the flare design.
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Re: Horn exit throat question ?
Assuming that the motor structure (magnet-voice coil) are the same between the two, then the big difference is going to be what you can "do" with the pattern up high. As a general rule-a 2" is not going to be able fill out a wide horn as well as a 1.4". If you are using a narrow horn-then no big deal.
As you go in exit size diameter-the LOWER the freq at which the horn will be able to "make a difference" in the pattern. At the higher freq-on a wider exit horn-the pattern is pretty much defined before the sound ever gets out of the driver, and into the horn.
So if you want wide, then go with a smaller exit horn-as it will be able to get wider-higher.
BTW you can't "throw" sound. It falls off at the same rate. The only thing you can to appear" to thrwo the sound further- is to increase the ratio of the SPL far away to the SPL up close. By making it louder further away and quieter up close-it appears as if you are "throwing" the sound. But in reality all you are doing is making the close sound quieter.
Not often "long throw" devices (narrow horns) will be louder at longer distances-but that is because the STARTED OUT louder. If they were the same level as as "short throw" device-and on axis-then the SPL at a distance would be the same.
Now what a loudspeaker "sounds like" at a long distance is quite another thing. Those that start out better (ie flat phase response for example) are going to "hold up/stay together" better at a longer distance so the sound will be clearer.
But a single device (horn driver) will have no more throw depending on the exit size.
Assuming that the motor structure (magnet-voice coil) are the same between the two, then the big difference is going to be what you can "do" with the pattern up high. As a general rule-a 2" is not going to be able fill out a wide horn as well as a 1.4". If you are using a narrow horn-then no big deal.
As you go in exit size diameter-the LOWER the freq at which the horn will be able to "make a difference" in the pattern. At the higher freq-on a wider exit horn-the pattern is pretty much defined before the sound ever gets out of the driver, and into the horn.
So if you want wide, then go with a smaller exit horn-as it will be able to get wider-higher.
BTW you can't "throw" sound. It falls off at the same rate. The only thing you can to appear" to thrwo the sound further- is to increase the ratio of the SPL far away to the SPL up close. By making it louder further away and quieter up close-it appears as if you are "throwing" the sound. But in reality all you are doing is making the close sound quieter.
Not often "long throw" devices (narrow horns) will be louder at longer distances-but that is because the STARTED OUT louder. If they were the same level as as "short throw" device-and on axis-then the SPL at a distance would be the same.
Now what a loudspeaker "sounds like" at a long distance is quite another thing. Those that start out better (ie flat phase response for example) are going to "hold up/stay together" better at a longer distance so the sound will be clearer.
But a single device (horn driver) will have no more throw depending on the exit size.
Re: Horn exit throat question ?
Thanks.
As far as a jbl being harsh, in this case a 2380 with a 2446 on it, what makes this setup harsh? The driver or the horn, or a combination of the two?
Thanks.
As far as a jbl being harsh, in this case a 2380 with a 2446 on it, what makes this setup harsh? The driver or the horn, or a combination of the two?
Re: Horn exit throat question ?
Poor EQ. I've heard the 2446/2447 sound very good on the 2380.
Evan
Poor EQ. I've heard the 2446/2447 sound very good on the 2380.
Evan
Re: Horn exit throat question ?
Good is the key word, after playing around with some la 325's and building a box with 2 faital pro 15 fx560 and a horn and driver out of a la 325, I never want to see another jbl product in my rig. I've had 4733's for years, played with some 2380's / 2446 stacked on top with the internal 1.4'' turned off, eq'ed them more times then I can imagine, they are not for me anymore. 1 night with the box's I built or 1 night with a 325 and I had it sounding better then any night on a jbl.
Good is the key word, after playing around with some la 325's and building a box with 2 faital pro 15 fx560 and a horn and driver out of a la 325, I never want to see another jbl product in my rig. I've had 4733's for years, played with some 2380's / 2446 stacked on top with the internal 1.4'' turned off, eq'ed them more times then I can imagine, they are not for me anymore. 1 night with the box's I built or 1 night with a 325 and I had it sounding better then any night on a jbl.
Re: Horn exit throat question ?
I'm thinking of building another set of double 15's with faital hp 1020's and either a b&c me 90 or rcf hf96, or hf94. These are 1.4 exit and there are a few B&c drivers for 1.4 bassed on the same driver used in the 325. 1.4 eaw is 803017
EAW model 803017 1.4" exit horn drivers - Nice! | eBay
http://www.rcf.it/products/precision-transducers/horns/hf94
http://www.bcspeakers.com/product.php?id=6
I'm thinking of building another set of double 15's with faital hp 1020's and either a b&c me 90 or rcf hf96, or hf94. These are 1.4 exit and there are a few B&c drivers for 1.4 bassed on the same driver used in the 325. 1.4 eaw is 803017
EAW model 803017 1.4" exit horn drivers - Nice! | eBay
http://www.rcf.it/products/precision-transducers/horns/hf94
http://www.bcspeakers.com/product.php?id=6
