Influence of driver shape (dome, cone) on sound

[q3cpma]

Cones and domes have fundamentally different off-axis radiation pattern. Shortly, domes have smoother off-axis behaviour. On the other hand cones have more effective on-axis radiation area (with same diameter) which helps in low end of passband, higher spl/less distortion. Difference in "sound" is not so big, if any, unless either one is pushed out of it's comfort zone.

Legendary Zaphaudio measurements, first 3" dome , then 3" shallow cone

More basics from Klippel
https://www.klippel.de/fileadmin/_migrated/content_uploads/KLIPPEL_Sound_Radiation_Poster_01.pdf

We have some modern large domes, eg. from Devialet and Accuton.

Thanks, that's a very useful page.

 

[mhardy6647]

View attachment 37641

I've actually been trying to make an Omni mid treble unit but 3d printing it has been a pain the ass. I found the perfect driver for it. 12 drivers.

Reminds me of the Design Acoustics D12 full-range loudspeaker of the 1970s

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Reminds me of the Design Acoustics D12 full-range loudspeaker of the 1970s

Or this one from even earlier:

FWIW, the designer, shown studying his creation, is the conductor, Hermann Scherchen.

 

[mhardy6647]

Or this one from even earlier:
View attachment 56698
FWIW, the designer, shown studying his creation, is the conductor, Hermann Scherchen.

mmmm... that one reminds me, eerily, of high-speed photographs like this one.