Home Speaker Asylum

General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

RE: Planars vs. Horns Discussion

The dipole radiation pattern of a well-set-up planar is a distinct advantage in my opinion, as it adds spectrally-correct reverberant energy that arrives after a pretty good time delay ("well-set-up" implying "several feet out from the wall"). This is subjectively desirable not only from the standpoint of timbral richness, but also clarity! I realize that's counter-intuitive, but studies of speech intelligibility have shown that reflections done right actually enhance, rather than degrade, clarity. Dr. Floyd Toole opines that this is because the ear can better decipher complex sounds if it gets multiple "looks" via reflections.

I have had the good fortune of being a dealer for a full-range electrostatic for many years, and a designer of horn speakers for about half as many years. While philosophically coming from opposite ends of the spectrum, imo these types done well score a closer approach to the real thing than most conventional speakers. The ideal might be either an electrostat with the liveliness and impact and conveyance of emotion of a good horn, or a horn with the inner harmonic detail, openness, timbre, and "feel" of a good electrostat. Until then, we picks our poison.

Duke

Me being a dealer makes you leery?? It gets worse... I'm a manufacturer too.


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  • RE: Planars vs. Horns Discussion - Duke 01:29:25 07/01/12 (0)

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