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Dispersion, narrow, controlled, or bi?

I’ve been thinking a little bit about fads and trends more along the lines of basic speaker operating principles than anything else... in particular a technical discussion at DIYaudio about cardioid speakers kind of got me thinking, the most known of which are the Kinki, ahem, Kii speakers.  That got me thinking less about the moving membranes or cabinetry and much more about the radiating geometry.  

For instance: 

  • Line arrays
  • Open baffle 
    • Genesis qualified as both in some ways
  • Electrostatic
    • Which are arguably some of the most famous open baffle speakers! 
  • Horns
  • Omnidirectional (Ohm Walsh)
  • Partially di or bi polar
    • Speakers with rear radiating drivers
    • Bose 901s were direct/reflecting
    • Snell A speakers had at least a rear tweeter
  • Coaxial
    • Some are open baffle woofers with horn tweets

 

So, keeping it all to radiating patterns, what is your take?  What have you heard or own that really has done you in? 

erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,922 posts
 

@toddalin - My experience is that speakers like you've described give you amazing imagine in exactly one place in the room.  

But yes, it's really pinpoint. 

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,047 posts
 

 Narrow but controlled perhaps in a very lively room otherwise controlled wider dispersion so high frequencies disperse similar to lower is generally considered best. Ohm Walsh do it uniquely well resulting in the natural balanced  sound they are known for.  KEF Blade 2  meta seem to be the reference standard these days in regards to most measured performance including dispersion making them suitable for optimal performance in most any room but for a price. 

erik_squires OP
16,922 posts
 

There is no perfect answer, but I think it's clear that the end goal is best served by the right room with the right speaker.  

I will say that I often dream of building my own line sources, as they have to major advantages:  Controlled vertical dispersion and you can basically sit or stand anywhere and here the same thing. 

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