Basic Article - Baffle Geometry

24/08/2020 Basic article | Baffle geometry
English
About baffle design, edge diffraction,

secondary sound sources, ... ... and their
influence on the sound quality of
loudspeakers
It is to be examined how the design of the baffle and the arrangement of the
drivers, affect the reproduction quality of loudspeakers. In particular, the attention
is paid to the directional behavior, of the tweeter. In addition to the frequency
response on axis (0 °), a balanced and uniform directional behavior has a
https://heissmann-acoustics.de/en/kantendiffraktion-sekundaerschallquellen-treiberanordnun/ 1/14
considerable, and in the author's perception sometimes (too) neglected,

English influence
on the playback quality, also and especially in terms of spatial representation of
the sound, of speakers.
Imbalances between on-axis, and off-axis frequency responses very often result
from an inappropriate baffle design including missplacement of the drivers. The
tweeter "sees" the baffle edges in the intended frequency range, where secondary
sound sources are created.
Those who value a loudspeaker not only by its tone, but also by a good stage
presentation, should take a trained look at the baffle of the speaker in addition to
reading impressive sound descriptions. To train this view is the concern of this
article ...
In the following, the directional behavior of 25mm tweeters in different

installation situations is examined. The influence of midrange speakers is usually
less problematic and should not be considered here.
The first four examples are based on (reliable) simulations, assuming an on-axis
linearized and 2kHz-separated tweeter. The simulations and measurements show
the angles 0,30 & 60 ° horizontal.
First of all, two installation situations without, or with only

minimal baffle influence:
The infinite baffle
Uniform, flawless directional behavior, starting from the frequency given by the
English
tweeter surface of the tweeter. No edge diffraction and / or secondary sound
sources.
Tweeter with very small front panel, without baffle
The "baffle edges", in this case the edges of the tweeter itself, are so close that the
associated frequency is within a range in which the tweeter already no longer
works as a half-space radiator. So he does not "see" this practically. The system can
be considered as a system without baffle.
Uniform, impeccable directional behavior without problems due to edge

diffraction.
The non-existent baffle further stabilizes the directional response to the mid-bass
driver, even below the frequency specified by the memranface of the tweeter.
Ideal conditions for a seamless connection to the directional behavior of the mid-
woofer.
This concept is used in the Kit Center-HQ.
"Worst case" scenario
... in the author's point of view
Baffle rectangular, narrow, tweeter in the middle, no waveguide,English

no chamfers
The tweeter "sees" the baffle edges in the intended working area. => Edge
diffraction. The result is an on-axis dip with a peak at angles. In the simulation, the
tweeter is linearized, => the dip on the axis has been compensated, which makes
the peaks at angles more revealing accordingly. Regardless of how the driver
filtered to the axis, the discrepancy between on-axis and off-axis frequency
responses remains.
Consequences:
Tonality: Imbalance under different listening positions.
space: The space suffers from the imbalance of axis and angular frequency
responses
Usually. such concepts are tuned with a sink on axis, which is then "refilled" under
angles. This can sound very good in terms of tonality. In a sensitive area for the ear
there is a sink (I like to call it "ear flatterer"), energetically still nothing is missing,
because it is compensated under angles.
A second approach would be to separate very high (in this case> 3,5kHz). However,
you are dealing with other problems. The bass-midrange already straightens in
this area, and is then "replaced" by the tweeter, which is still working as a half-
space heater => The energy frequency response is unbalanced. In the area of the
cut-off frequency too little energy is released into the room. Furthermore, it
becomes more and more unbalanced in the vertical along with an increase of the
cut-off frequency. The distance between the drivers must always English
be in relation to
the crossover frequency.
This concept finds application in very many, vA speakers developed under time,
and or selling pressure 😉
... with 15mm bevels
Baffle rectangular, narrow, tweeter centered, 15mm bevels on both sides
The chamfers weaken the interference, but the fundamental problem persists. The
above written remains valid.
How to deal with the problem?
In addition to the infinite baffle, and the "virtually nonexistent", there are other
promising approaches to avoid or significantly reduce edge diffraction.
The following examples are all based on real measurements from speakers I have
published. There is no claim to completeness.
Wide baffle with generous rounding on the sides
In this case there is no 60 ° measurement, therefore 0,30 & 45 ° are shown.

English
No edge diffraction in the intended work area. The (rounded) edges are far enough
away that you will not be "seen". Extremely consistent straightening behavior.
This concept was used in the construction proposal Wave Wall 182, Another very
appealing speaker that follows a similar approach is eg. the Grimm LS1.
Tweeter positioned off-center with 12mm chamfer sideways and

up
Low influence by edge diffraction at 2,2kHz, which can be easily English

compensated for
by a suitable filter from the midrange driver. In addition, uniform and trouble-free
omnidirectional behavior.
This concept was used in the construction proposal Samuel HQ
Trapezoidal chamfers with a slope> = 20 °, brought as close as

possible to the tweeter
Slight expansion around 5kHz, otherwise no problems due to edge diffraction. The
bundling behavior is, characterized in that the tweeter sees only very little baffle,
to the directional behavior of the mid-bass, which allows a seamless connection to
this only.
The upper chamfer is, depending on the concept, not necessarily needed. Under
certain circumstances, the result could even be (even) better without this.
This concept is used, for example, in the building proposals Samira & Samira-
HWG.
Tweeter with sound guide / waveguide and maximum narrow

baffle
English
No edge diffraction. Extremely uniform straightening behavior in the entire

transmission range. In contrast to normal dome tweeters, even in the super high
tone (> 10kHz) wide and even radiation. Concerning. horizontal bundling a nearly
perfect solution.
However, the distance to the mid-bass driver is greater than without sound
conduction, which adversely affects the vertical radiation behavior. This problem
is avoided by a correspondingly deeper separation, which, thanks to the sound
pressure increasing and thus driver-relieving effect of the waveguide usually. is
also feasible.
This concept is used in the building proposals Cinetor & Cinetor-HWG
Sound guide (DXT) & trapezoidal chamfers
English
The same applies as in the example previously written, but without the problem of
the large driver distance. The tweeter used here is the Seas-DXT. The size of a
"normal" tweeter (D104mm), with the effect of a true waveguide. Fascinating!
The trapezoidal phases do the rest, especially in terms of stabilization of the

bundling behavior towards the mid-bass driver. In wider baffles there would be a
widening in the transmission range, usually. to 3kHz which would be compensated
only by a correspondingly high crossover frequency.
The horizontal straightening comes very close to the theoretical ideal perceived by
the author!
This concept was used in the construction proposal DXT-Mon
At the end...
There are very meaningful and simple approaches to tackle the topic of edge
diffraction in tweeters:
Give it a lot of baffle: The case edges are far enough away so that the tweeter
will not see you in the intended work area
Unsymmetry: If possible, no identical distances between the edges and the
tweeter. This can be achieved by the position of the driver (off-center) and / or
the design of the baffle. As an example, the Rocket of Hifi DIY mentioned.
... along with as little as possible baffle => The straightening behavior is
reinforced towards the mid-bass driver, which can greatly facilitate the
seamless connection to the midrange woofer (=> eg trapezoidal chamfers).
Use of sound guides (waveguides, horns) which have a clear directivity in

English
the, for edge diffraction relevant frequency range. Usually. Waveguide solutions
should aim for a maximally narrow baffle in order to stabilize its emission
towards the mid-bass driver.
... there is only one problematic case
A rectangular baffle, approximately in the width of the woofer, with central

tweeter and without sound guide ...
In my experience, uniform and largely unbroken bundling behavior is one of

the most important, if not the least The most important quality feature of a
good speaker.
The good reader has (hopefully) learned with this article to be able to judge this by
looking at a loudspeaker, at least somewhat. A little reading-reading skills is still
very helpful ...
Finally:
It is not sensible to provide existing loudspeakers with chamfers, new baffles,

sound guides and / or driver arrangements. In the vast majority of cases, this
requires a metrological check and a corresponding adaptation of the crossover.
For questions, suggestions & criticism: Feel free to use the comment function!
share tweet share
 19 January 2015  Heißmann-Acoustics
10 thoughts too "About baffle design, edge diffraction, secondary

sound sources, ... ... and their influence on the sound quality of
loudspeakers"
Se
29 September, 2018 at 21: 17 clock
Hi Alexander,
Thank you for the detailed explanation.

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24/08/2020 Basic article | Baffle geometry

About baffle design, edge diffraction,

considerable, and in the author's perception sometimes (too) neglected,

In the following, the directional behavior of 25mm tweeters in different

First of all, two installation situations without, or with only

The infinite baffle

Tweeter with very small front panel, without baffle

Uniform, impeccable directional behavior without problems due to edge

This concept is used in the Kit Center-HQ.

"Worst case" scenario

... in the author's point of view

Baffle rectangular, narrow, tweeter in the middle, no waveguide,English

Tonality: Imbalance under different listening positions.

... with 15mm bevels

Baffle rectangular, narrow, tweeter centered, 15mm bevels on both sides

How to deal with the problem?

Wide baffle with generous rounding on the sides

In this case there is no 60 ° measurement, therefore 0,30 & 45 ° are shown.

Tweeter positioned off-center with 12mm chamfer sideways and

Low influence by edge diffraction at 2,2kHz, which can be easily English

This concept was used in the construction proposal Samuel HQ

Trapezoidal chamfers with a slope> = 20 °, brought as close as

Tweeter with sound guide / waveguide and maximum narrow

No edge diffraction. Extremely uniform straightening behavior in the entire

This concept is used in the building proposals Cinetor & Cinetor-HWG

Sound guide (DXT) & trapezoidal chamfers

The trapezoidal phases do the rest, especially in terms of stabilization of the

This concept was used in the construction proposal DXT-Mon

Use of sound guides (waveguides, horns) which have a clear directivity in

... there is only one problematic case

A rectangular baffle, approximately in the width of the woofer, with central

In my experience, uniform and largely unbroken bundling behavior is one of

It is not sensible to provide existing loudspeakers with chamfers, new baffles,

share tweet share

 19 January 2015  Heißmann-Acoustics

10 thoughts too "About baffle design, edge diffraction, secondary

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