4 way system - Synergy horns + tapped horns

[Multiway]

Here's collated comments from the other guy who came for a visit and listen.

He's since put his trad speaks on the market and is plotting a MEH build too..

" (Vs traditional multi-way horns, they’re much more coherent and there’s no sense of individual drivers.)

This was the big takeaway for me."

"Went over to Steve's the other day to have a listen and it’s made me want to give a pair a go"

"Having heard a fair few 4 or 5 way horn systems now it’s definitely sound I like and want..

But hearing and seeing the multiple entry horns MEH, it’s a very neat why of squishing most of it in to one box and this appeals. Plus it looks like fun to make."


I'll be following his progress and helping out wherever I can.

 

[hornsteff]

Hi Steve

Have you got a MiniDSP Flex yet?

Have you considered a Q-SYS CORE 510i as Mark 100 on DIYA uses. I have seen some for sale in the UK now and then. Seems you can do what ever you want with the right input and output cards installed, and I am pretty sure Mark will be helpful making it work.

Greatings from Denmark

Steffen

Seems I need to go visit the UK soon.

 

[Multiway]

I haven't gone miniDSP Flex HT etc yet!

Kinda happy enough with my hifi via dedicated Najda DSP and the family HT served by a Sonos bar and rear speakers.
I do put the 2 x tapped horn onto that with a time aligned setup up, if we want the room to shake

Until Najda goes wrong or I have a rush of enthusiasm I'm so happy with the hifi sound (main priority), I don't want to mess it up

 

[Multiway]

Quick update in pictures.
I built a pair of SH60 profile Multi Entry Horns.
Same drivers.

They start smallish


Flares on. Trying something other than black





Several visitors and wife liked the terracotta one. So...

One SH50 style Vs one SH60 style



Then the pair





Some measurements at 1m.
Ignore the dB level. It's due to gain setting on the phantom mic pre. Not the actual level at which I took the measurements





Look how the phase snaps together when the drivers are sewn together in time..



And the LF completes the trio.

The phase plot is excellent!



Who was it who quoted "A changing phase is changing time"?

The main take away from the 60s Vs the 50s in listening evaluation is that there is more definition or tonal rightness, emotion even, in the HF frequencies.
Wasn't expecting that!

Still have all the single point, drivers perfectly in sync and phase tightness sound MEH thing going on!

The other thing, and perhaps it explains the above, is that the centrally mixed image (usually vocal) is rock steady in the middle.
There's still all the detail and dynamics out wide when the music contains that, it's just that the central imaging is now excellent.

That would have been my been my only real criticism of the SH50s in my particular room.

The SH60s are a setup I feel I can grow old with

 

[iansr]

They look great and would love to hear them.
I’m hoping to acquire a pair of John White’s Solana MEHs at some point in the future. They look really cool.

 

[Multiway]

They look great and would love to hear them.
I’m hoping to acquire a pair of John White’s Solana MEHs at some point in the future. They look really cool.

I've followed the Solana's a bit.
I think the bass reflex comes out the back (but could be wrong).

Would be interesting to hear difference between a simple conical and the complicated horn profile they use.

 

[iansr]

It’s the users choice as to whether to have the enclosure ported so they become full range or sealed for those who intend to run separate subs with them. I will likely do the latter.
Erin is currently measuring them on his Klippel so I’m hoping there is going to be a video about them . . .

 

[Multiway]

It’s the users choice as to whether to have the enclosure ported so they become full range or sealed for those who intend to run separate subs with them. I will likely do the latter.
Erin is currently measuring them on his Klippel so I’m hoping there is going to be a video about them . . .

That's interesting.
What sort of frequency do they reach down to in ported / sealed variations?

I like the Danley solution of part horn part reflex bass for 325Hz down to 55Hz (measured), with it all coming out of the front horn space taps and ports.