Next Gen Bi-Radial Horn, state of the art 90° Horn.
Our next-generation bi-radial horn with fins is designed for 1.4/1.5" compression drivers such as the TAD 4002/4003, JBL 2450SL, 18Sound ND3N/4015BE.
The Constant Directivity control pattern is extended to higher frequencies thanks to a slight, smooth constriction inside the throat adapter. A super-tweeter is not necessary.
The horn adheres to the Hypex formula surface law and has been designed using in-house Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations.
How it sound ?
This type of horn has a special way of spreading sound. With fins, sound is more evenly spread within first 30 degrees off-axis. Without fins, it’s usually within 15 degrees.
It provides a natural-sounding and listening sensation that cannot be replicated using other methods, technically, this behavior is due to the fact that each sector defined by the fins behaves like a horn in itself.
In the past, there was a reduction in the use of fins in older designs. This is why the number of fins, the overall shape, and the throat adapter used here differ from what is typically seen on Arai 480/290 or TH 4001 horns.
This solves what we call the “finger response” issue.
This makes this horn the most complex of our horns but also the best-sounding for mid-distance applications.
Measurements of the 54cm first version
Measurements show a horizontal Constant Directivity behavior. The dip and drop at 15/16 kHz are due to the breakup of the JBL 2450SL compression driver, not the horn.
A compression driver will lose its plane wave radiation behavior when the diaphragm breaks up, creating a cancellation at a specific frequency on its polar map. It will rise up again if enough energy is sent.
With JBL 2450SL, 1.5" :
With ND3T, 1.4" :
48cm version
Measurements were conducted using a HF1440 1.4" compression driver, which has a 3.4" diaphragm, The HF1440 exhibits a breakup frequency around 12kHz, which create to a slight dip at 12kHz on horizontal polar.
The horn can be made in this dimenssion either in 1" or 1.4".
Recommended crossover and drivers for 1" version:
- 18Sound 1095N: 900hz
- TAD TD2001 or TD2002: 800hz
Recommended crossover and drivers for 1.4" version:
- 18Sound 1095N: 900hz
- TAD TD2001 or TD2002: 800 hz
- Faital HF1440: 750 hz
The HF1440 will exhibit a similar response pattern when used with various constant-directivity horns.
Photos of the completed product will be available soon.
How it compet versus Arai A480, Arai A290 and TAD TH-4001 ?
Here is a comparison of the horizontal polar patterns of the A480 and A290 under the same conditions.
The polar pattern is significantly improved on our next-generation bi-radial:
We can see throat and fin reflections on the Arai that are absent in our design. Additionally, the well-known midrange narrowing and beaming that are prevalent in Arai and TH 4001 horns, primarily due to the lack of full return and outdated fin management techniques, are not present in our design.
Features
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Respect ADAPT principle (Acoustic Constant Directivity Adapted to Psychoacoustic Technology)
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Constant directivity behavior 90° on horizontal
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huge loading capacity
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No High-Order Modes (HOMs) due to hyperbolic horn expansion.
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End of profile optimized for removing midrange narrowing/beaming
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Throat 1" or 1.4"/1.5"
Specification:
Usage for free-air, an in wall/in-box version exists.
- Width: 48 to 60cm
- throat size: 1" or 1.4/1.5"
- Total Length: depending on width, 30/36 cm
- Horizontal coverage: 90°
- Effective crossing area: 500/700hz depending to size
Prices by pair for 1.4"+1.5" 60cm version:
- Plywood top and bottom + side in US walnut : 1800€
- Full US or EU walnut (US: Full dark, EU: Full light): 2200€
- Lebanon Cedar + US Walnut : 2800€