narrow and wide baffles and imaging


According to all the "professional" audio reviews that I've read over the last several years, narrow baffles are crucial to creating that so-desired pin-point imaging.

However, over the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity to audition Harbeth 40.2, Spendor Classic 100, Audio Note AN-E, and Devore O/93.  None of these had deficient imaging; indeed I would go so far as to say that it was good to very good.

So, what gives?  I'm forced to conclude that modern designs, 95% of which espouse the narrow baffle, are driven by aesthetic/cosmetic considerations, rather than acoustical ones, and the baffle~imaging canard is just an ex post facto justification.

I can understand the desire to build speakers that fit into small rooms, are relatively unobtrusive, and might pass the SAF test, but it seems a bit much to add on the idea that they're essentially the only ones that will do imaging correctly.



twoleftears

Showing 1 response by timlub

I've read through this thread and so far Bache and johnk are the 2 that have responded to the question at hand.  
Driver selection matters along with the baffle size In frequency bumps or dips, even the driver frame combined with the material that the baffle is made from can cause diffraction loss... 
Next,  If the baffle starts getting thinner,  you might have to deal with Baffle Step Compensation as johnk eluded to as (BSC).  
Overall,  there is no reason that you cannot have a wide or narrow speaker that are imaging champs.