19AES-PD01: The Predictable Horn: The Why, How, and When of Horn Simulation

Presenters:
Mark Dodd, Celestion - Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK
Bjørn Kolbrek, Celestion - Ipswich, UK
David Murphy, Krix Loudspeakers - Henley Beach, South Australia, Australia
Joerg Panzer, R&D Team - Salgen, Germany

In the “good old days,” horns were designed to have an exponential wave front area expansion, and otherwise a geometry that “looked good.” Today numerical simulation of directivity and frequency response has become an important tool in the horn loudspeaker design process. What simulation methods exist, and what are their pros and cons? How does the chosen simulation method influence the work flow? And is simulation really necessary, or can horns with the desired properties be designed using experience, rules of thumb, and cut and try methods? In this workshop we will take a closer look at these questions.