Open Baffle Experience


Much has been said about open baffles, including an epic website by the late, great Dr. Linkwitz but I've only heard them really once, playing absolutely garbage music (thanks Pure Audio!) at a hotel.

I'm talking here about dynamic drivers in single baffles without enclosures, not ESLs or Magneplanar type systems.

I'm curious who has had them, and who kept them or went back to "conventional" boxes?

I'm not really looking to buy speakers, but I did start thinking about this because of a kit over at Madisound made with high quality drivers.

 

 

erik_squires

OB question I’ve never got an answer on;

Can an OB speaker be utilized in a “small room” (14’x12’x8’)???

3’ out from front wall is not a non starter in my world. Im certain my corner horns (the baffle face) are likely that far out from the corner (apex) so there’s that.

@audiokinesis I for one would love to hear your description of why the equal spectral balance…but I don’t want to high-jack the OP. 
I believe It certainly pertains to the question “open baffle experience “

 

I don't see why not.  They could be three feet from the front wall and you could sit around 8 feet from the plane of the speakers with three feet or so behind you.  It may not be ideal but could work.  I would treat the front wall with mostly diffusion and the wall behind you with absorption.  Also maybe control first point reflections but open baffle does not radiate much sound to the sides.

I'm no expert so maybe someone else has experience.

@audiokinesis 

Also a benefit of many open-baffle speakers is that the backwave has essentially the same spectral balance as the frontwave, and heavy drapes would selectively attenuate the short wavelengths (high frequencies), degrading the spectral balance of the backwave.

You cant have it both ways. The spectral balance you refer to is nothing but polar response. The polar response of an open baffle is unpredictable at best and horrific at worst.

Oh boy oh boy.  Can’t wait to hear the impending beat down coming to kenjit from someone who actually knows what the hell he’s talking about. Hee hee.