Compact Horn
Subwoofer Design
Compact Horn
Subwoofer Design
Compact Horn Subwoofer Design
the challenge
When we halve the frequency, for example from 40 Hz to 20 Hz, we need to move four times the amount of air. A heavy speaker cone struggles to move this much air efficiently.
the solution
A bass horn is an acoustic transformer that transforms a small high force motion from the cone of the driver into lots of air movement with lots of velocity. Real bass-horns are not feasible in most spaces, so the Compact Horn provides a reduced size solution.
avoiding resonances
A huge problem with compact horn designs is massive resonances. By using additional damping channels with specific placement, length, dimensions and acoustic resistance, it works like a much larger properly dimensioned horn.
efficiency and bandwidth
The acoustic loading works over a much wider bandwidth, it works much more efficiently and you get a bass system that can cover the whole frequency range from well below 20 Hz and up to above 100 Hz.
sound character
The result is a nice, punchy, powerful bass with this nice solidity and addictive sound character. The upper and mid-bass regions have this forceful impact.
range of sizes
Compact Horn subwoofers can be made very small like the T6 subwoofer, or in larger models like the V110 and T138 which are tuned well below 20 Hz with usable response down to around 14-15 Hz.
design process
The design process starts with a specification: approximately how large the subwoofer should be, what sound pressure level is wanted at the cutoff frequency, and how low the cutoff frequency should be. An electroacoustic model is created, simulating the driver, horn channel and acoustic transmission line. The final dimensions are put into a 3D CAD drawing so you can see how it looks before building.
prototyping
Kvålsvoll Design can assist the whole process from requirements specification through prototype design and building, into preparation for production. 3D-cad design gives an impression of visual appearance early in the design phase.
Price and ordering
Per assigned project
Fixed price for one Compact Horn design project.