PRV wg45-50 and other 2" options

[The Dude]

I stumbled upon this horn the other day, only place I have been able to find them is on ebay.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PRV-Audio-WG45-50-Waveguide-4-Bolt/dp/B00K2ETCLM

 

Anybody have any experience with them.  Remind me of the P audio 4525 and Goldwood 450 expect without the diffraction slot.  Wonder how they sound?  I guess based off of the specs, they couldn't sound any worse than the other two.  Maybe for the price I will give them a try.

 

One bad review was that bolt holes were drilled wrong, but I figured I have a drill and can take of that.  I should see them by next week and will let you guys know. 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2016 by duder1982

[The Dude]

I still need to play around with this and some other stuff. But as of right now I am not impressed with this horn.  Maybe it doesn't help going from something as big as the EV hp9040s to something this small.

[Chris A]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Horn-Flare-Large-Format-2-Throat-4-Bolt-Mount-/351461368883

 

It looks just like a slightly larger K-510 horn profile.  I'd guess that it holds its polars down to 500 Hz.

[The Dude]

One thing i thing I have realized about bigger horns vs smaller ones.  I just went from the large EV hp 9040 to something this small.  I must say bigger horn=bigger sound.  I can see how people say the K402 is magical.  There definitely is some low end and mid range missing.  I was looking for something that would physically fit in my current situation.  Time to save for the mighty K402.

[Chris A]

I can't disagree with your observation.  I think that there is an issue with horns losing pattern control or having irregularities in their coverage above about 200 Hz, including folded horns, and maybe as low as 100 Hz. 

 

The multiple-entry K-402 center that I've been listening to has proved to be a big change in sound, much bigger than I expected.  The trade-off is definitely one that you have a very difficult time giving up once you hear it.

 

Chris

[The Dude]

This could turn into a "alternative to the Klipsch K402/K510 horn"  thread, which I am fine with. 

 

I will have to see if I saved any in room response to this horn without eq.  I used the K510/Lascala setting as a starting point.   Then tried some of my own tweaking to see what I can do.  I may go back to the K510 settings, as they seemed to work best for me at this point (I know its not the K510, but I figured I would start somewhere). 

 

At one point I used the EV Hp640, which I thought was a very decent horn.  I actually picked up another one, after selling my first pair.  I may look for another down the road. 

 

http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/STARINMANUALS/Bosch%20-%20EV/HP640.pdf

 

There are a couple on Ebay wright now, with the DH1a driver. 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-EV-DH1A-high-frequency-drivers-with-EV-HP640-horn-/222061753970?hash=item33b3e97672:g:HXQAAOSwvFZW8WCk

 

If one was closer, these would be an even better deal.

[The Dude]

I have been using these PRV horns for some time.  I came to the conclusion that I must not be good at equing these types of things. I have not gone through the trouble of time aligning them, as I do not have the correct tools.  But after I messed around with some equing, things never seemed right.  Eventually I removed all the equing and just crossed over at either 500 or 600 hz.  Things now seem to sound pretty good.  I was actually a little impressed. 

[SkyDover]

I've been curious about the PRV Audio WG45-50 horns myself.  I have some P.Audio PH-4525 and Goldwood GM-450PB horns, which are built the same and exactly idential... same material and heavy duty design but the Goldwood is half the price, they are made by the same manufacturer and have a slotted throat (diffraction slot) as you mentioned so the non-slotted PRV horn got my attention over at Parts-Express.

I've seen in the past that you were using the P.Audio PH-4525 horn for center channel.  How does the PRV Audio WG45-50 horn compare from your memory of when you had the P.Audio PH-4525 horn?  Which sounds better to your ears?  Does it sound better than the PH-4525 slotted thoat?  Thanks for any info, just curious if I should give the PRV horn a try if it sounds any better than the PH-4525 horn? Thanks

[The Dude]

I am still up in the air on the PRV horns.  I still have the P. Audio, with the P. Audio BMD750.  I just haven't given much use, as the system is still being built.  I have just posted tonight about active/passive crossovers.

 

https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/163701-keeping-it-simple-with-networks/#entry2014015

 

Tonight I eliminated alot of the eq settings and things sound even better than they did before.  Here is a measurement of the horn in the system with the EV drivers. No equing or smoothing.

 

 

[SkyDover]

Thanks for the follow up.... I may have to give the PRV horns a try myself.

[SkyDover]

Thanks wdecho for the suggestion, but that is the Goldwood GM-450PB horn I'm already using and was curious how the PRV WG45-50 horn compared to it.

I went to order the PRV WG45-50 horn from Parts Express but they have been out of stock for a while, also on the Goldwood horn too.

 

I did find a large horn here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-x-17-ABS-2-Bolt-On-Long-Throw-Horn-90-x-40-For-Many-2-Exit-Driver-/331676072699

so I ordered it and will test it and compare it to the Goldwood horn.  It's 17.5"w  x 11"L  x 12"D Bolt-On Long Throw Horn 90° x 40°  2" Exit Driver.

A good deal at $40 with free shipping.  I'll report back how they sound.

[The Dude]

Thanks wdecho for the suggestion, but that is the Goldwood GM-450PB horn I'm already using and was curious how the PRV WG45-50 horn compared to it.

I went to order the PRV WG45-50 horn from Parts Express but they have been out of stock for a while, also on the Goldwood horn too.

 

I did find a large horn here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-x-17-ABS-2-Bolt-On-Long-Throw-Horn-90-x-40-For-Many-2-Exit-Driver-/331676072699

so I ordered it and will test it and compare it to the Goldwood horn.  It's 17.5"w  x 11"L  x 12"D Bolt-On Long Throw Horn 90° x 40°  2" Exit Driver.

A good deal at $40 with free shipping.  I'll report back how they sound.

That horn is  a bit deeper than the prv horn.  I am curious to your thoughts on the sound and how your driver bolts up.   Good find!

[SkyDover]

It is deeper, ZXPC also has one very similar and size to the PRV WG45-50 for $34.99 and free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/398-2-Throat-Horn-Bolt-On-18-x10-For-Assorted-Bolt-2-Exit-Drivers-90-x40-/231420420855

I debated which to get but then decided on the longer horn, it will fit in my upcoming speaker build
and I recieved some good advice to go with the deeper horn from an audio builder who has tested and uses the
horns, he was the one who gave me the link to buy the horn or I would have never known about it.
ZXPC has a variety of 1",1-3/8",1.5", and 2" exit horns and adapters for fair prices:

http://stores.ebay.com/ZXPC/Horns-/_i.html?_fsub=6613637016&_sid=129580556
 

[The Dude]

Another thing you need to watch is how well these horns mount to the drivers.  The PRV wasn't the best, but I managed.  I am interested to see how yours mount to the drivers you use.  Speaking of which, maybe I missed it. But what drivers are you using? Are you putting together a two way or a three way?

[SkyDover]

Hi, I was just starting to write up the review.   I had no problems mounting, the mount 4 bolt holes are just like the Goldwood.  I used the

Selenium D405 phenolic driver for test.  This is for a 3-way setup.  We also listened to the ZXPC and GM-450PB horns running single without

woofer or tweeter to see if we still liked what we were hearing, from 500hz to 5000hz and the ZXPC was still the winner of everyone's choice.

Edited May 20, 2016 by SkyDover

[SkyDover]

The seller ZXPC was very quick shipping the horns out, UPS delivered them early this morning.
I spent all day testing and listening to them.  I actually weighed and measured each horn:

Goldwood GM-450PB Horn - Actual Weight/Size (3pounds 6oz) 17-1/2"W x 9-1/2"L x 9-1/8"D
ZXPC 432 Horn - Actual Weight/Size (3pounds 5oz) 17-1/2"W x 11"L x 11-3/8"D (12"D with outside FaceLip)

This was a very interesting experiment!  I didn't expect there would be much difference between the two
horns but there certainly was.  This proves to me that the diffraction slot that most suggest avoiding
in horns if you want sound quality.... is true. The diffraction slot interferes with the overall sound.  
Here are the differences I found between these two horns:

Goldwood GM-450PB (Diffraction Slot Horn)
ZXPC 432 (Non Diffraction Slot Horn)

I did these test with four adults listening ears and present was small children and teenagers.  
I used the same amp, source, volume, and same driver between each horn, just
switching between them as we listened to the music and vocals.

Right away you can hear the ZXPC horn without a diffraction slot sounds much more open and everything
sounds more uniform and better all around balance, lower frequencies are better heard, vocals are more
open and clear sounding, music has better overall resolution and detail.

With the GM-450PB with diffraction slot, the lows sound less heard and the vocals are more forward in
kind of a piercing way.  The GM-450PB horn has always sounded good to me and I've liked it but not so
much when comparing it with the ZXPC horn.  Certain frequencies are less heard with the GM-450PB horn
but more in favor of the vocals taking priority but can sound a bit piercing and harsh somewhat at
times, where the ZXPC horn doesn't or is much more less noticed.  The build quality on both horns are
good and hefty enough for large heavy drivers, they are close in build quality with slightly better on
the Goldwood GM-450PB. The Goldwood is the smaller horn but weighs 1oz. more than the ZXPC bigger horn,
if the ZXPC was built like the Goldwood, it would weigh close to 4 pounds.

The ZXPC horn sounds louder at same volumes than the GM-450PB horn, almost like that diffraction slot
is constricting some of the sound in the GM-450PB horn but the ZXPC just overall sounds better as if
it's letting all the sound out in a natural uniform free flowing way with high and low frequencies
just all blend together well at the same levels. I can hear higher frequencies and weaker lower
frequencies with the GM-450PB horn. It's very easy to hear... anyone should be able to hear the
difference right away. If you push the volumes at high levels, much louder than I ever listen to, the
GM-450PB can start to get more piercing sounding in the higher frequencies, like the SSS in female vocals,
chimes, bells, etc. that hit in the higher freq.

Everyone picked the ZXPC horn in the room as the best sounding, no one person picked the GM-450PB, I was
surprised about that!  The kids couldn't say specifically what it was they liked about the ZXPC horn
but said it just sounds better that they like that one (ZXPC).  I do use the GM-450PB horn on my
center channel speaker and it seems to work well for that purpose with it's type of vocal presentation
of throwing the vocals more forward than some of the rest of the sound but I bet even the ZXPC horn
might do better but I'm stuck with the GM-450PB horn for center speaker, the ZXPC horn and driver
combo are too long for that cabinet.

I have not done any test plots between these two horns as of yet, only listening test. I had done some
test plots a few years ago on the GM-450PB horn and recall those were pretty good results.
The 4 bolt-On mounts for both horns GM-450PB and ZXPC are near identicle to the standard 4-bolt and I
had no problems mounting the drivers to either.

Does the ZXPC horns make me want to replace my GM-450PB horns?  Yes, they do!! I can't fault the GM-450PB
horns because I've always thought they sound good, but switching between the horns while listening, the
ZXPC sounds so much better that I would like to use it instead but my CornScala's that use the GM-450PB

horns are not deep enough to accommodate the ZXPC horn and driver combo either, but I am going to use these

ZXPC horns in a new speaker build I'm planning.

Hope this helps anyone curious about diffraction slot horns as I was!

Pictures: ZXPC Horn Left - GM-450PB Horn Right

Horns:

Goldwood GM-450PB $49.25
http://www.parts-express.com/goldwood-gm-450pb-2-high-frequency-horn-4-bolt--270-204

PRV Audio WG45-50 $47.99
http://www.parts-express.com/prv-audio-wg45-50-2-90-x-40-abs-waveguide-4-bolt--294-2893

ZXPC 432 $39.99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/11-x-17-ABS-2-Bolt-On-Long-Throw-Horn-90-x-40-For-Many-2-Exit-Driver-/331676072699

Edited May 20, 2016 by SkyDover

[SkyDover]

Pictures: ZXPC Horn Left - GM-450PB Horn Right

[The Dude]

I will have to measure the prv and the goldwood as i thought they were the same size. But that new horn you discovered is alot larger.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[SkyDover]

Looking at the PRV WG45-50 specs, it looks like it comes close to the size of the GM-450PB.  The good about the PRV horn, it's without the

diffraction slot!

[SkyDover]

Selenium D405 driver with GM-450PB horn: