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RE: Planars vs. Horns Discussion

Posted by Presto (A) on June 19, 2012 at 10:08:36

In Reply to: Planars vs. Horns Discussion posted by George S. Roland on June 19, 2012 at 08:44:30:

The square wave test is proof of a transient accurate system and nothing more. It does not tell us much about the transient response of the individual drivers. PA horns can exhibit phenomenal transient response sans crossover, but since a 1st order acoustic design using horns is almost unheard of, you won't get transient accurate behavior. Ribbon tweeters, as another example, have excellent transient response, but when used with 3rd and 4th order crossovers (which many require) this results in a non-transient accurate speaker.

There are also other causes of the perception of "sharp edges" with music material on horn systems which may be concerned with directivity or even improper implementation (or complete lack) of constant-directivity equalization for CD horns.

The bottom line is that transient accurate behavior is heard by few and often it cannot be discerned with normal music material but only specific test tone changes which pronounce the effect. I have the ability to literally "toggle" between a LR4 and LR4 phase corrected (transient accurate) design and I gotta say the effect is somewhere between "very subtle" to negligible.

But the measured impulse response is day and night!! ;)

Strange, but it attests to the addage that we can't always hear what we measure, and ergo, it stands to reason that we can't always measure what we hear. It is also possible those who love transient accurate speakers like the specific speakers they have purchased for other reasons, but attribute the bulk of their purchase decision to the transient accurate behavior.

Truthfully, I thought the difference between a (proper acoustic) LR4 and a transient accurate speaker would be much more... dramatic.

Cheers,
Presto

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