occam Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 Is there a guide to the size of a speaker and the range of frequencies it can handle well or effectively? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbley Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 That's a complicated question for sure. Generally speaking, larger speakers can play louder down lower, and the size gets exponentially bigger as you try to get to the lowest octaves. You'd have to include quality of the bass in the equation, because there are ways to cheat a low frequency out of a small driver and enclosure by using high excursion drivers, huge amplifiers, and equalization. If you are talking about horns, it is a directly related ratio of the size of the horn opening and length of the horn as to how long a wavelength it can produce. I'm sure a horn expert on this forum can give you a numerical answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 ---------------- On 7/6/2005 8:45:19 PM occam wrote: Is there a guide to the size of a speaker and the range of frequencies it can handle well or effectively? ---------------- There is no guide. I suppose after a lot of market research you will start to find some trends, but there are always enough exceptions to render the trends useless for discussion Why may I ask are you asking the question? Perhaps that will help us better answer it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boom3 Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 If we consider a direct radiator, the theoretical usable upper limit is that frequency whose wavelength is equal to the actual diameter of the cone or dome. At this point, dispersion falls to a 60 degree cone. For a 2.5" driver, this point is about 5400 Hz. This "maxim" is not often observed in the commercial world. Many systems cross larger drivers over higher, and just accept the narrowing of dispersion. This is another of those "all things being equal" maxims, so we must also consider the breakup behavior of the cone or dome, as well as amplitude response, distortion-all the usual factors. Pursuing these permutations could take a lifetime, which is why I stick with horns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironwoods Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Hi, most drivers made will have a listing of discrete measurements that are derived by means of various devices and mathematical formulas. Called the Thiele and Small (T/S)parameters, they will give some insight as to how a particular driver will perform in a design. However the cross-over, if one is used, will most likely also have an effect on the sound. A frequency response sweep across our audible spectrum, can reveal weeknesses in a chosen driver, but that does not mean it will sound bad. Generally plus or minus 3 decibles is considered relatively flat. The room, cabinet construction and upstream electronics also play a huge role in the out come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.