Horn loaded cabs for bass?

[tbrannon]

Alright- time to expose some bass player ignorance here in the hope that you folks might be able to help me out.  What?s the deal with horn loaded cabs?
 
Let me start by saying this- I?m a science teacher.  I?ve taken a couple years worth of university physics, I?ve taught physical science and I really do understand the basics of sound, electricity and magnetism etc., but somehow the head knowledge has totally failed to crossover to amps, cabs and sound.  I should understand it all, but there is very little practical application for me when it comes to music.  
 
I?ve been searching for some new cabs- gear is so ridiculously expensive here that I?ve started looking for alternative methods/sources- something different that might get me a decent sound for less buck.  I recently found a few threads on talkbass that are discussing some horn loaded cabs that are designed by Bill Fitzmaurice (www.billfitzmaurice.com).  
 
In theory it all makes sense to me and the people who use them seem to love them- most of you Alembic players have been playing for years and years and have tons of practical music knowledge backed by a lot of very solid science.  Anybody have any opinions on cabs like these?  
 
Thanks in advance for any help, direction, rebukes or advice.
 
Toby
 
(Message edited by tbrannon on February 25, 2007)

[David Houck]

Here is my simplistic, grossly generalized, lacking in fundamental knowledge, based on what I vaguely recall from years ago, opinion.  A folded horn enclosure will push sound further than a sealed or ported enclosure.  Thus if you are trying to fill a large room, a folded horn enclosure might be nice to have.  This is why the bass bins in a lot of PA's are folded horns.  However, there is a trade off in sound quality, which I suppose is why the stereo speakers in your living room are not a folded horn design; and why most high end bass cabs are not folded horns.

[tbrannon]

Thanks Dave- that's my basic understanding of it as well.  I've just read such glowing reviews of people playing out of them and then comparing the sound and relatively small amount of watts and cab size needed to produce such sounds.
 
There is a guy up in Auckland who builds cabs designed by Bill Fitzmaurice.  I'm going to do my best to get up there in the next couple of weekends and hear them myself.
 
Anybody else with any experience and/or opinions?

[keurosix]

Toby,
Yes, they throw out the sound into the room with very little power. Dave is right, though: The horn puts a honky sound to the final result if you crossover too high into the midrange. So, if you want to save money on the subwoofers amp, you'll more than spend it on the crossover and mid/high amps and speakers too if you want it to sound good. Besides, if the sound is thrown out away from you, you won't benefit up on stage. You won't know if it sounds good or if it is too loud either. Better to get a ported cab where you can hear it, and it puts out some sound to the room too. Then leave the sound in the big rooms to the PA and the sound man.
Kris

[2400wattman]

I agree with Kris, Toby. It's really pointless to have a cab on stage that will throw it's best most effective sound into the audience where YOU CAN'T HEAR IT. Save your money and stick with ported cabs, they'll be better for you in the long run and you won't have the sound man TELLING YOU to turn down, to where you can't hear all that glorious tone you spent all that money for. Good luck

[tbrannon]

Thanks fellas- Everything you're saying is what I was assuming to be the case.
 
In search of continues.....*using best Leonard Nimoy voice*
 
I'm going to be in Perth for about a week in Mid-March and will see what's available to play through over there.  I've also got a 7 hr layover in Sydney, we'll see if I can't get in to Greensquare and have a gander at what Mr. Burgess has in-store.

[811952]

If you want the Jaco sound, a folded horn cabinet is the only way to go...
 
John

[tbrannon]

John,
 
If all I needed to sound like Jaco was a folded horn cab, I'd already have about 12 of 'em.
 
I'm still going to wander up to Auckland in the next month or so to have a gander.  I'm not sure if the Fitzmaurice cabs are something slightly different, but the people who have built them and use them seem to be quasi cult-ish about the sound and effectiveness of them.  I'll certainly have a look and report back.
 
If others have experience with horns or have the time to look at the Fitzmaurice site linked above and can tell me if there is anything different about these ones, I'd appreciate any and all comments.
 
Cheers,
Toby

[811952]

Toby,
 
Well, yeah, a folded horn and more talent than will ever fit into my body...  
 
John