HornResp Software (HR) Cabinet comparison at 1 Watt and exported impulse response into REW compatible .MDAT file. The responses using the optimal driver(s) for the cabinet (at the moment of publication). Voltage is set to the drivers Nominal Impedance (8-Ohm/2.83v or 4-Ohm/2v).
Since Hornresp Impulse export is 20 to 30 dB higher, all measures are corrected by taking the levels at Hornresponse 100Hz/dB SPL line. The same dB/SPL levels is set on the 100Hz line in REW and adjusted to be identical in both programs.
- Paraflex Type-R-121 Dual Quarterwave resonator horn
- Paraflex TC2E-121 Dual Quarterwave resonator horn
- SKhorn-221 Hybrid Bass-Reflex / bandpass Horn 2x 21"
- SKRAM-121 Hybrid Bass-Reflex / bandpass Horn 1x 21"
- Othorn 21" Tapped Horn
- Paraflex Type-C-CRAM-218 Dual Quarterwave resonator horn
- Paraflex Type-O-CRAM-218 Dual Quarterwave resonator horn
- Paraflex Type-R-118 Dual Quarterwave resonator horn
- Paraflex Type-R-118 Dual Quarterwave resonator horn 1x 18"
- OHA-BR218 Standard Bass-Reflex 2x 18"
- OTH-218EB dual Tapped Horn 2x 18"
- Cubo-18 Tapped Rear Bandpass Horn 1x 18"
- Paraflex TC2E-215 Dual Quarterwave resonator horn 2x 15"
- BFM Tuba-60 Front Loaded Horn 1x 15"
- BFM Titan-48 Front Loaded Horn 1x 15"
- Real-world measurements may show slightly larger or even absent peaks and valleys compared to HornResp simulations.
- Simulations at 1 Watt are not representative of real-world performance at higher power levels.
- HornResp data reflects the latest, publicly available cabinet data sources.
Instead of comparing cabinets for a "best" performance, remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. With decades of advancements in loudspeaker technology, various design choices have emerged, each catering to specific needs and preferences. The key lies in selecting the right tool for your application and personal taste.
Most subwoofers operate within the 30Hz to 100Hz range, primarily limited by the chosen crossover point. This setting balances transient response and output while protecting the driver. Pushing a subwoofer beyond 100Hz might compromise performance, and using it below 30Hz might waste power.
In Public Address (PA) systems, utilizing multiple identical cabinets is common. Deploying 4 or even 60 units enhances the overall response. This effect, known as "coupling" or "summation," occurs when sound waves from multiple sources combine constructively, leading to increased sound pressure levels, particularly at lower frequencies. Consequently, the combined output delivers a louder and more impactful bass experience, especially in large or challenging acoustic spaces.
The term "long throw" in subwoofers refers primarily to the driver's ability to move a significant distance, not its directional performance. Remember, subwoofers are inherently omnidirectional, meaning they radiate sound in all directions, regardless of the driver's "throw."
While enclosure designs like horns or ports can exhibit some degree of directivity, this effect is usually limited to specific frequency ranges and is significantly less pronounced compared to high-frequency drivers. As sound waves travel, they naturally spread out, with this effect being more prominent at lower frequencies due to their longer wavelengths. This is why subwoofers tend to radiate sound in a more omnidirectional or semi-omnidirectional manner, distributing sound evenly across multiple directions rather than focusing it in a narrow beam.
