open baffle speaker question

'Open baffle' usually refers to a cone speaker mounted on a baffle with an open back. Quite often this means there are no sides to be baffle either but that sort of depends on who you talk to.

Technically speaking all planar speakers are open baffle by definition. However the term usually does not refer to them.

Open baffle speakers can have multiple drivers. The old Carver Amazing is an example. But most open baffle setups you will see usually use a 'full range' driver of some sort, a Lowther, PHY or perhaps a Fostex.

I saw a very convincing setup in Nelson Pass' room at RMAF about 3 years ago. He showed full-range driver that looked like a Lowther, and there was a second driver mounted on the baffle that was assisting with the bass. The speaker had very convincing bass and overall his system was quite musical. I seem to recall that he mentioned something about the dynamic range being limited in some way but don't quote me on that.

Hi, Check out "Hawthorne Audio" they have a forum there, where all your questions will be answered.
good luck, Tish

Fostex fe206en and eminence 15in woofer in as large and as thick a plywood OB you can handle. With inductors and 4 sheets baltic 3/4 in about $800-900 http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_b5_man.pdf

I had David Lucas open baffles a while back. It took 4 12" woofers to generate good bass. The sound was very encompassing because it did radiate in virtually every direction. You can't call that good imaging...However, you have to be very careful about placement so the rear wave doesn't interfere with what you hear. Also, they tend to be fairly inefficient. A Lowther in an open baffle should waste a lot more energy than one in a properly designed cabinet. Keep in mind that tweeters aren't open baffle. So a design with a super tweeter is a compromise.
I still have single driver speakers but in a cabinet that properly channels the bass and is much easier to place in a room.

Hi Hotmailjbc,
Atmasphere explained it ideally, even though most planars, ribbons & electrostatics are open back, they are usually refered to by their own terms. Open baffle normally refers to cone drivers mounted without a chamber. What design did you see specifically. I have built many speakers on my own. They place to start is the FRD Consortium. These are not tools for a beginner, but for standard designs will give you the information that you need to do designs that compete with some of the best. good luck, Tim