Consider Connectors

“God is in the detail” – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (et al)

Sometimes it’s necessary to re-examine the little things, the forgotten details.  Try to dig out the last 10% improvement.

Consider amplifier and loudspeaker connectors.

We know that music signals are alternating current, AC not DC – swinging positive/negative.  We know also that “current in a conductor resides at the surface at high frequency” (Prof. Malcolm Hawksford, HFNRR Aug 1985):

Tractrix midrange horn (Pt II) – drive units

In my Tractrix Midrange Horn, the loudspeaker drive units in use for the last few years are the SEAS FA22RCZ.

This driver is inexpensive but materials & build quality are excellent, as you would expect from SEAS.

I have added a tweeter, a Fostex T90A.  This tweeter is sensitive (106dB/W/m).  

Basshorn (Pt III) – construction and completion

Low frequencies carry most of the energy and power in music, so a Basshorn needs to be constructed as rigidly as possible, with the minimum of resonances that colour the music.

This Basshorn is large, so very thick panels would be heavy and even more impractical.

In principle I prefer to brace & stiffen thin panels, rather than use thicker & heavier sheet material.

Plywood is lighter with better strength-to-weight ratio than MDF or ‘chip-board’ – in my experience, it sounds better too.

Midhorn + Basshorn (Part II)

This is my room plan – 6.1m x 3.6m (20′ x 12′) – showing the ‘compound’ Mid-Basshorn cabinets:

The driver was originally a Lowther PM4.  (Very costly and high maintenance.  Now, I am using the inexpensive Seas FA22RCZ.)

As described previously, a Tractrix front horn produces midrange frequencies above 140-180Hz.  An Exponential rear horn provides the low frequencies.

MAUHORN IV update

My Mauhorn IV cabinets have found a new home!

Travelling 600km to a nice music system near Wellington, New Zealand.

The new drivers installed are Tang Band W8-1772 full-range drivers.

I understand that these drivers are excellent.

Compound mid + basshorn (Pt I)

This is a ‘compound’ horn… a single driver, with a midrange front-horn and back-loaded with a bass-horn.

In my 13 April 2014 post, you can see the fibre-glass Tractrix Midrange Horn, which was designed for a ‘cut-off frequency’ Fc=140Hz.

The Bass-horn therefore needs to operate from 180-140Hz down to around around Fc=30Hz.

MAUHORN IV

The Mauhorn was designed by Andreas Mau, a German Lowther enthusiast, in around 1995

Actually, Andreas designed 2 similar Mauhorns at that time – the Mauhorn IV (shorter 3.5m long horn, larger driver chamber) and the Mauhorn V (longer 4.5m long horn, smaller driver chamber).

Tractrix midrange horn (Pt I)

This is the story of the round, midrange horns pictured and their (part) DIY construction in Fibreglass.

My music system