Help me choose a horn and driver

[iansr]

So here I am with a blank sheet of paper attempting to design my ultimate 2 way. I like the presentation of dipoles so on the bottom I will have 2 x 15” woofers on OB per speaker; the AE dipole woofers will certainly be on the shortlist. Up top I want a horn and that’s where I’d like some input.

Things I value and would ideally want to have:
1. A nice linear on-axis FR between 800 or 900Hz (or lower) and 15KHz, or thereabouts.
2. A related off axis FR that Mr Toole would regard as pretty good.
3. Open and transparent sound with a holographic phantom image.
4. Bi-amping via an analogue active crossover. ( I’ve just bought the Nelson Pass active crossover kit from the DIYA store.). I do NOT want to use DSP.

Oh yes and I’d like them to sound as good as the Vox Olympians. No? OK forget that one then

So if I’m to believe what I’ve read then maybe the ultimate would be the TD4003 plus TH4003, but that would cost me deep in the purse (who spotted the Fairport Convention reference there?) and I’m wondering if I could get 90% of the way there at lower cost? Maybe a 2450J-Truextent with a A290FL, or a 2450SL - Truextent with a H9800?

So please pitch in guys, I want to hear your thoughts and recommendations

[Robh3606]

I would go with a large format 1.5" throat driver like a 2452 and one of the PT wave-guides. I use PTH1010 and they are basically a newer version of the 2344. They image very well and it's not difficult to do the networks for them.

[Mr. Widget]

I would go with a large format 1.5" throat driver like a 2452 and one of the PT wave-guides.

I haven’t messed around with the PT wave guides. Can they image as well as the vertical Array type horn? How about a large format driver on the Array type horn.


Widget

[Robh3606]

Hey Widget

Well I can only speak for the 1010 it's the only one I have used. I would say it's close and the 1400 Array probably has the edge.

Rob

[iansr]

I would go with a large format 1.5" throat driver like a 2452 and one of the PT wave-guides. I use PTH1010 and they are basically a newer version of the 2344. They image very well and it's not difficult to do the networks for them.

Thanks for responding. By coincidence I’ve just come across an old post of yours showing the FR of a 476mg on a PTH1010. It was damn impressive; almost flat from 1k to 20khz!

[iansr]

Hey Widget

Well I can only speak for the 1010 it's the only one I have used. I would say it's close and the 1400 Array probably has the edge.

Rob

i have to say I’m not keen on the aesthetics of the vertical orientation horns.

[Mr. Widget]

i have to say I’m not keen on the aesthetics of the vertical orientation horns.

They are not my favorite aesthetically either, but they are currently in my living room sounding amazingly good!


Widget

[Robh3606]

i have to say I’m not keen on the aesthetics of the vertical orientation horns.

Well you get use to them and they sure sound good!

Rob

[mortron]

how hard are the vertical horns to come by? quite pricey?

[grumpy]

The H9800 horn mentioned in the initial post works well vertically... if you have access.
Also, SAM1HF can be used.

[iansr]

The 1400 array is certainly appealing because of it being a mid /tweeter combo. Just wondering if anything can be done about the look. Showing the depth of my ignorance here but would it be sonically detrimental to mount it on a OB ? ( I think that might make it look less odd.)

[withTarragon]

The 1400 array is certainly appealing because of it being a mid /tweeter combo. Just wondering if anything can be done about the look. Showing the depth of my ignorance here but would it be sonically detrimental to mount it on a OB ? ( I think that might make it look less odd.)

I am not sure what your skill set is (or with the help of a friend). Could you build a "cage" with the same footprint as the bass bin. Then cover the cage with grille cloth. Probably a number of ways to tackle this.
Good luck,
-Tom

[Odd]

There are several members who have built it into a box.

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...bl-Array/page2

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...DIY-1200-Array

[ivica]

So here I am with a blank sheet of paper attempting to design my ultimate 2 way. I like the presentation of dipoles so on the bottom I will have 2 x 15” woofers on OB per speaker; the AE dipole woofers will certainly be on the shortlist. Up top I want a horn and that’s where I’d like some input.

Things I value and would ideally want to have:
1. A nice linear on-axis FR between 800 or 900Hz (or lower) and 15KHz, or thereabouts.
2. A related off axis FR that Mr Toole would regard as pretty good.
3. Open and transparent sound with a holographic phantom image.
4. Bi-amping via an analogue active crossover. ( I’ve just bought the Nelson Pass active crossover kit from the DIYA store.). I do NOT want to use DSP.

Oh yes and I’d like them to sound as good as the Vox Olympians. No? OK forget that one then

So if I’m to believe what I’ve read then maybe the ultimate would be the TD4003 plus TH4003, but that would cost me deep in the purse (who spotted the Fairport Convention reference there?) and I’m wondering if I could get 90% of the way there at lower cost? Maybe a 2450J-Truextent with a A290FL, or a 2450SL - Truextent with a H9800?

So please pitch in guys, I want to hear your thoughts and recommendations

Hi inasr,

I would think about JBL PT-H95HF with 2450-1.5 driver with 2441AL or 2445 diaphragm. I think it can be used from 800Hz

https://www.jblpro.com/ProductAttachments/tn_v1n31.pdf


JBL Pro Parts 443495-001: WAVEGUIDE, PT-H95HF-1

Product # JBL Pro Parts 443495-001
look at:
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?34470-Replace-2265HPL-with-2226H&p=349176&viewfull=1#post349176

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...l=1#post371066



If over 1.2kHz is acceptable , then STX825 with 2447 drives can give very good results

Regrads
ivica

[iansr]

Hi inasr,

I would think about JBL PT-H95HF with 2450-1.5 driver with 2441AL or 2445 diaphragm. I think it can be used from 800Hz

https://www.jblpro.com/ProductAttachments/tn_v1n31.pdf


JBL Pro Parts 443495-001: WAVEGUIDE, PT-H95HF-1

Product # JBL Pro Parts 443495-001
look at:
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?34470-Replace-2265HPL-with-2226H&p=349176&viewfull=1#post349176

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...l=1#post371066



If over 1.2kHz is acceptable , then STX825 with 2447 drives can give very good results

Regrads
ivica

Many thanks ivaca, those links are really helpful. Any particular reason you suggest the H95HF rather than the H1010. Also I’m starting to think a 3 way is worth considering, in which case the K95MH looks interesting!