Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site
In the Forum: Horn-Loaded Speakers
In the Thread: Jessie Dazzle Project
Post Subject: Stepping upPosted by jessie.dazzle on: 7/7/2008
Ok, I have been experimenting with placement : Long wall versus short wall.
Though the frames have wheels and roll very easily, my room is cursed with an elevated platform smack in the middle of everything (about 14 inches higher than the main floor), and to move the horns up on to or down off of this platform requires taking everything apart. Over 1600lbs of horn and frame; I would not try pushing it up or down a ramp... so, about 5 hours to dissamble, move, and reassemble once off the platform.
Anyway, got them more or less in place on the short wall, and have been listening... The upper bass horns like it much more in this location (coupling with the side walls). Photo of the setup will come once I get the place looking a bit more presentable.
But what I want to talk about here is this platform, because what I discovered with regard to layout and horn stacking could be of help to others.
My lower mid horn is a 180Hz tractrix, band passed from 800 - 3200Hz, its output is not attenuated. Romy calls this the "Fundamentals Channel"; its contribution is truly fundamental, to the point that if I had to reduce my system down to a single horn system and could keep only one horn, this would be it (maybe I can start a movement!). The horn sits up on top of the stack, which when seated in the near field (less than 10 feet) means that you do notice sound coming from above... I would not say its a problem, but it is not the same as a perception where everything originates from around ear-level. The result however when seated further back is big and spacious (I don't live in an apartment; its kind of just one big room).
Anyway, you can probably guess what's coming... With the horns set up on the main level, I decided to put the couch up on the platform, which puts one's ears about in line with the tweeter. Results... Good idea!
Mouth of upper bass horns are about 20 feet in front of listener's ears
I've been telling myself that I would not stay in this "apartment" (or even in this country but that's another subject) because :
Reason 1: If the system is not switched off by 10 PM, the neighbor above reaches out his window and starts smacking my roof with a shovel (I once left my door open as he passed by; he stuck his head in and, upon seeing the horns, stuck a finger to his temple, rotated it a quarter turn while looking me in the eye and doing his best to express sincere pity)
Reason 2: This damn platform!
However... I think I will be taking the platform idea with me wherever I go.
From far back in the room the presentation is still "big and spacious", but it just seems more natural to be up in the middle of it all. I admit this is probably obvious. The discovery is how simple it is to recenter the listener. The other nice thing is that when listening while standing (off the platform), one's ear is maintained at the correct altitude.
Other news...
I spent the past two weeks building a pair of Romy/Ronny-inspired permanently adjustable rear chambers for the upper bass horns... Will load some photos of that adventure in the next few days.
jd*Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site