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Amplifiers and Horn Loudspeakers

Greetings,

Wasn't sure where to post this (Amps or Speakers), but here goes.....

Horn loudspeakers of course are high in efficiency, and don't tpyically require high-powered amplifiers. Most horn users prefer tubes. With highly efficient horns, folks seem to prefer SET's.

Some solid state amps operate in Class A up to a certain point, which is said to be close in some respects to the sound of tubes. I have a solid state amplifier that puts out 250wpc (Class A/B), however it operates in Class A mode up to 25wpc. I'm curious if this amplifier, operating in Class A mode, would be a good match for a high efficiency horn system.

Thanks!
seadweller

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,575 posts
 
Why do you think it is that amps with zero or very little negative feedback sound so much better than those with lots? And that on amps with adjustable feedback changing it is indeed very AUDIBLE?

Horns for the post part are expecting constant power output out of the amp, regardless of the speaker's impedance curve. When you add feedback, the gain of the amp is used to force the amp to behave more as if it has a 'constant voltage characteristic'. A lot of horns are not expecting this- impedance bumps will result in less power and dips will result in more. This can lead to colorations since many horns simply are not designed for that.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,575 posts
 
In my band I run transistors with horns all the time. That is not what I would do at home though. It seems that horns are far more likely to own up to the bad side of their reputation with transistors (honky, shrill) and that transistors are largely responsible for this.

OTOH I can't think of a good reason to run transistors on anything at home :)

no-sir- I don't like it!
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,575 posts
 
A lot has to do with the output impedance of the driving amp too. A lot of horns are highly reactive and this plays havoc with feedback networks in transistor amps...
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