Originally Posted by
Ian Mackenzie
Ted,
That was a very interesting discussion, however the focus is more on the effect dispersion and of room interaction.
While I have not heard the PT horns yet, I imagine the thing to compare would be a exponential horn like the 2307 & lense with 80 x 45 dispersion and a similar recangle PT horn over a similar bandwidth. At least this is what I propose to do as soon as I can arrange it.
As far a sound stage goes, I find the angle of toe in sensitive and even more so the distance between the speakers for what I term true imaging and sound stage. I find there is a sweet spot or distance b/n the speakers where the overall sound comes equally from between the speakers and from the speakers themselves. The toe in seems to effect the depth of the image while the space between the speakers controls locatisation and imaging.
When the blend is correct there is an image but also precise stereo localisation as opposed to a halo or holographic representation which is bigger than the space between the speakers.....franky I find that effect crap.
I found the bi radial 2344 gave a great halo effect in a normal living room but the size of the image was un realistic, hence I find the exponential horn and lense despite its less even dispersion vs frequency more realistic on the proviso you are prepared to play around and tweak the placement of the speakers. Within a dead studio I am sure the 2344 would work much better.
Unfortunately with the waf factor, not everyone has the luxury of positioning large cabinets to suit the best results and for this reason they are often less than satisfied and blame the horns or what ever and move onto something else or employ multiband equaliser to improve the alling stereo performance.
To this day I have never employed an equaliser to improve imaging or flatten the amplitide response. No doubt they are useful but not to correct gross problems that are the result of room placement.
Just my 2 cents worth
Ian
I also think its interesting that the best vinyl recordings of contemporary Jazz in the USA in the 70's were all done before the advent of the bi radial horn and application in a studio monitor. Today these recordings are highly sort after by audiophiles because of the life like qualities. It no surprise that when these albums are played back on the same vintage of equipment that you can get excellent results. Of course not everyone owns a good vinyl collection so maybe this is all bye the bye.
Just my 3 cents worth