Really?
I know what he is talking about, have measured a fair number of speaker systems and horns, and I don't get it from the simple dispersion plots.
Actually, Earl... I do disagree with one of your statements,
"One can get a very similar ( though not duplicate ) "imaging effect" by simply using the older radial type horns ( in their normal orientation, since they also "beam" )." I agree about radial horns and how they do beam, but if you look at the top plot you posted, while it does drop off significantly off axis, it doesn't roll off like a typical radial. The off axis response is far more linear in the vertical axis (horizontal for the 1400 Array). I think this contributes to the "natural" sound it generates, but I am not sure if it is important for the imaging. My guess is that simply reducing the amplitude of the first reflections has a lot to do with it. (Pure speculation here... but it would appear that historically everyone else's claims as to what is required for imaging is also speculation.)
Also, I haven't found any implementation of the Altec classic radials to be stellar imaging speakers. Perhaps if the room had enough control... I've heard very narrow dispersion examples of tractrix horns image well and other multi-way otherwise excellent tractrix designs image very poorly.
My comments and experience with the 1400 Arrays and their imaging are based on listening done in my current listening room where I have had numerous other loudspeakers from a number of brands. Most have imaged pretty well in this location as does the Everest currently, but I have preferred the imaging of the 1400 array to all of them.
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