Enhancing Audio with an External High-Frequency Wood Horn: The Perfect Companion for Full-Range and Mid-bass Speakers

Enhancing Audio with an External High-Frequency Wood Horn: The Perfect Companion for Full-Range and Mid-bass speaker Speakers

Achieving the perfect sound in an audio system often depends on one key factor: a well-balanced frequency response. While full-range and Mid-bass speakers excel at reproducing low and mid-range frequencies, they often struggle with the high frequencies. This is where an external high-frequency wood horn can make a significant difference, taking your audio experience to the next level.

The Importance of High-Frequency Reproduction

High frequencies—typically above 2 kHz—are essential for capturing the fine details in music. Without accurate high-frequency reproduction, the sound can become dull or lifeless. For example, the shimmer of cymbals, the clarity of stringed instruments, and the texture of vocals all rely on crisp, clear highs. Full-range and subwoofer speakers, while capable of delivering rich bass and midrange sounds, often fall short in reproducing the sharp highs that make music come alive.

What is an External High-Frequency Wood Horn?

An external high-frequency wood horn is a speaker component specifically designed to reproduce high frequencies with clarity and precision. Made from wood, these horns offer a natural, warm tone that sets them apart from the sharper or more metallic sounds often produced by metal horns. The wood itself adds a richness to the high frequencies, making them smoother and more organic—qualities that audiophiles truly appreciate.

The horn’s shape is another important factor. It helps to disperse high-frequency sound waves more efficiently, ensuring a wider coverage area without distortion. Unlike traditional tweeters, which may lack the desired clarity or range, a wood horn delivers a wider soundstage, allowing the high frequencies to blend seamlessly with the lower ranges.

Why Pair a High-Frequency Wood Horn with Full-Range or Mid-bass Speakers?

1. Filling the Frequency Gap: While full-range and Mid-bass speakers handle low and mid frequencies well, they often lack the ability to produce crisp, clear highs. An external high-frequency horn fills this gap, providing the necessary high-end detail and balance that makes for a complete, well-rounded sound.

2. Enhanced Soundstage and Detail: Adding a wood horn enhances the imaging and clarity of your system. High frequencies are often where the finer details in music become apparent—things like the exact positioning of instruments, vocal textures, or the subtle nuances in a recording. A dedicated horn ensures these details are reproduced with greater accuracy, leading to a more immersive listening experience.

3. Natural, Warm Sound: One of the biggest advantages of using a wood horn is the tone it produces. Wood naturally adds warmth to high frequencies, creating a sound that is more organic and less harsh than metal horns. This makes the overall sound feel more natural and refined, complementing the bass and mid-range frequencies without overwhelming them.

4. Aesthetic Appeal: Aside from their excellent sound quality, wood horns also bring a visual elegance to an audio system. The craftsmanship and beauty of natural wood make these horns a striking addition to any setup, enhancing both the auditory and visual appeal of your equipment.

How to Integrate an External Wood Horn into Your Audio System

Integrating a high-frequency wood horn into your audio system is straightforward. Here’s how to get started:

• Choose the Right Horn: The first step is selecting a horn that matches your speaker system's specifications. Ensure the horn is designed to handle the power output and frequency range of your setup.

• Pair with a Suitable Driver: Wood horns typically require a dedicated high-frequency driver to operate effectively. These drivers are optimized to handle higher frequencies (typically above 2 kHz). Be sure to select a driver that complements the horn in terms of power handling and impedance.

• Proper Placement: The placement of the horn is crucial for optimal performance. High-frequency horns should be positioned to allow sound to disperse evenly across the room. Usually, this means placing the horn at the top of the speaker stack or in a position where it can direct sound toward the listening area.

• Fine-Tuning Your System: Once the horn is in place, you may need to adjust the crossover frequency to ensure a smooth transition between the low and high frequencies. The goal is to create a seamless blend that doesn’t have noticeable gaps or abrupt changes in sound.

An external high-frequency wood horn is an excellent solution for compensating for the high-frequency limitations of full-range or subwoofer speakers. By introducing a dedicated driver and horn, you can achieve a more balanced, detailed, and natural sound across the entire frequency spectrum. Whether you're an audiophile looking to fine-tune your system or simply someone who appreciates high-quality sound, a high-frequency wood horn is a valuable addition to any setup.

IWISTAO offer this kind of wood horn without tweeter driver, you may provide the size of throat hole or its drawing to us, we can customize the throat hole for you. Also, IWISTAO offer you copper horn with tweeter driver, you just connect it with your full range or mid-bass speaker in parallel through a crossover.

There are several examples below.

IWSITAO Customized 1 Pair TAD TH4001 Hyperbolic Stable Diffusion Empty Wooden Horn 2 Inches Throat Birch Plywood Wide 612MM with Adapter

IWISTAO HIFI 1 Inch Empty Wood Horn Solid 1 Pair Treble Compensation for Full Range Matched Super Tweeter 265mm

IWISTAO HIFI Empty Wood Horn 1 /1.5 / 2 Inch Throat Hole 1 Pair Treble Compensation With Adapter Board for Full Range Speaker Wide 399mm

IWISTAO HIFI Empty Wood Horn Solid 1 Pair Treble Compensation for Fostex FT17H Wide 355mm

IWISTAO 3 Inch Super Tweeter Copper Horn 1 Pair Trumpet Flower Silk Membrane Film Bullet Driver 6Ω 20W 91dB

IWISTAO Long 4 inch Supper Tweeter 1 Pair Copper Horn Brass horns Neodymium Copper Film 6Ω 30W 625HZ-40kHz

IWISTAO Long 5 Inch Supper Tweeter Copper Horn Brass Horns 1 Pair Neodymium Copper Film 6Ω 20W 1.2KHZ-40kHz

Rediscovering Golden Age Sound: IWISTAO FU29 Tube Amplifier

For those who appreciate the rich, warm embrace of classic audio, we're thrilled to spotlight our IWISTAO amplifier featuring the remarkable FU29 tubes. These aren't just any tubes; they're carefully selected gems, a US counterpart to the esteemed 829B, promising a sonic experience that transcends mere specifications.

Peeking at the front panel, you'll notice the gentle glow of indicator lights – one for each of the four 6N2 preamplifier tubes and another pair illuminating the FU29 powerhouses. Beneath the surface, a robust power supply, driven by dedicated transformers for the main power (225V), preamplification (6.3V), and filament (200V at 110mA), ensures stable and ample power delivery. A bias voltage of -18V keeps everything operating in its sweet spot. And when it comes to connecting your speakers, the impressive 40W (RMS) signal-to-noise ratio speak volumes about the amplifier's capability.

What truly sets this amplifier apart is its meticulously crafted, point-to-point wired circuit. This design philosophy minimizes interference, allowing the pure sonic character of the tubes to shine through. While its physical footprint is surprisingly manageable and aesthetically pleasing, don't let its size fool you – the dynamic range on offer is truly expansive.

Unlike their solid-state counterparts, which often rely on achieving fidelity through sheer technical parameters, tube amplifiers possess an inherent driving force, particularly noticeable with higher impedance speakers. The result? A sound that's not just accurate but also imbued with a captivating richness, a smooth texture, a comforting warmth, and a wealth of nuanced detail. This inherent sonic signature is precisely why tube amplifiers continue to hold a special place in the hearts of audiophiles, resisting complete replacement by modern technologies.

We've put this amplifier through its paces, pairing it with a variety of speakers, including the notoriously demanding Dynaudio Contour 1.8s. The outcome? Surprisingly potent performance that belied its size, effortlessly driving these challenging speakers. To further enhance its versatility for the modern listener, we've also integrated a seamless Bluetooth 5.0 input, allowing you to effortlessly stream music from your smartphone or other compatible devices.

What makes our FU29 amplifier even more special is the history embedded within its core components. The very FU29 tubes we're using in this current production batch hail from the golden age of tube manufacturing, spanning the 1960s through the 1980s. These are not mass-produced modern equivalents; they are meticulously crafted relics of a bygone era, each possessing a unique charm and a level of build quality rarely seen today. Importantly, their sonic performance remains exceptional.

Our exploration into the market for higher-power tubes like the EL34 and 300B has revealed significant demand, but our FU29-based amplifiers have already garnered considerable acclaim both at home and abroad. Their sonic merits and unwavering reliability have resonated with listeners, proving that truly excellent audio will always find its audience, regardless of current trends.

Now, a word about the availability of these wonderful FU29 tubes. Unlike some might assume, the supply of domestically produced FU29s is becoming increasingly scarce, leading to rising procurement costs. This reality has, unfortunately, impacted the final price of our FU29 amplifiers. Our recent inquiries have revealed that many retailers are already facing stockouts. The truth is, the pool of readily available FU29 tubes is shrinking, making large-scale production increasingly challenging. For those who appreciate the unique magic of these tubes, we encourage you to act sooner rather than later. Once they're gone, they may be gone for good.

Finally, a quick note on the amplifier stage: our current model utilizes the FM30 tube, which is directly interchangeable with the FU29, offering a degree of flexibility for those who might want to experiment with different sonic flavors down the line.

We believe this FU29 amplifier offers a unique opportunity to experience the captivating sound of a bygone era, meticulously crafted for the modern listener. It's more than just an amplifier; it's a piece of audio history, ready to bring your music to life with warmth, detail, and undeniable character.

IWISTAO 2X40W Vacuum Tube Amplifier Pull Push FU29 Power Stage 6N2 Preamp Bluetooth 5.0 Whole Aluminum Chassis

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using ED Double C-Type Transformer Cores for Transformers in Tube Amplifier

Analysis of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using ED Double C-Type Transformer Cores for Transformers in Tube Amplifiers

The choice of transformer cores significantly impacts tube amplifier performance. This article analyzes the pros and cons of using ED double C - type cores in power and output transformers for tube amplifiers.

Advantages of ED Double C-Type Cores for Power Transformers

High Magnetic Permeability

With high magnetic permeability, these cores conduct magnetic flux efficiently. This reduces losses, boosts power delivery, and enhances overall power transformer efficiency. Stable power supply is thus ensured for consistent audio output.

Low Magnetostriction

ED double C - type cores have low magnetostriction, minimizing mechanical vibrations and noise in the transformer. This results in a cleaner audio signal, free from unwanted hum, which is crucial for tube amplifier power transformers.

Compact Design

Compared to traditional cores, their unique C - shaped structure allows for a more space - efficient magnetic circuit. This enables building smaller yet powerful power transformers, beneficial for space - limited tube amplifier projects.

Customization Flexibility

Builders can easily adjust winding parameters like turns and wire gauge. This flexibility optimizes power transformer performance, meeting various power requirements from high - power to low - power tube amplifier designs.

Advantages of ED Double C-Type Cores for Output Transformers

Excellent Frequency Response

These cores endow output transformers with a wide and flat frequency response. Their high magnetic permeability and low reluctance enable handling of both low and high frequencies with minimal phase shift and distortion, leading to a more natural sound.

Low Distortion

The cores' uniform magnetic properties and low magnetostriction maintain a linear magnetic field. This reduces harmonic and intermodulation distortion, preserving the integrity of the audio signal for accurate sound reproduction in tube amplifiers.

High Power Handling Capability

Despite their compact size, they can handle high power levels in output transformers. Their robust design allows for effective heat dissipation, preventing saturation and ensuring reliable operation in various tube amplifier applications.

Disadvantages of ED Double C-Type Cores for Power Transformers

Higher Cost

Manufacturing these cores is more intricate, involving precision machining of C - shaped pieces. The use of high - quality materials also contributes to a higher cost compared to other core materials, such as silicon steel laminations. This can be a barrier for budget - conscious DIY builders.

Challenging Winding Process

The narrow gap between C - shaped pieces makes winding more difficult than with traditional cores. Special configuration of the winding machine may be needed, and careful handling is required to ensure even winding and proper insulation, deterring novice builders.

Sensitivity to Magnetic Fields

ED double C - type cores are more sensitive to external magnetic fields. In a tube amplifier chassis with multiple magnetic components, this can cause magnetic interference and increased noise. Additional shielding measures, which add cost and complexity, may be necessary.

Disadvantages of ED Double C-Type Cores for Output Transformers

Limited Availability

In some regions, they may be less available than common core types. This makes it hard for DIY builders to source the right size or specification, leading to longer lead times and higher shipping costs.

Complex Matching Requirements

Achieving optimal impedance match is more complex due to their unique magnetic characteristics. Builders need to carefully calculate winding ratios, which requires electrical engineering knowledge and may involve trial - and - error, posing a challenge for less experienced builders.

Susceptibility to Saturation

Under certain conditions like high current or low - frequency signals, these cores in output transformers are more prone to magnetic saturation. Designers must carefully select core size and winding parameters to prevent this, which may limit design flexibility.

So, ED double C - type transformer cores offer advantages like high magnetic permeability and low distortion. However, they also have drawbacks such as high cost and complex winding. Builders should weigh these factors based on their project requirements, budget, and technical skills. With proper planning, these cores can be a good choice for high - performance tube amplifier designs.

Here, IWISTAO provide this kind of ED double C core to meet DIYers's requirement, its size is from 66*30 to 133*70, you may select one of them based on your requested.

IWISTAO Double C Transformer Core Kit For Tube Amplifier Power and Output Transformer Multiple Sizes HIFI Audio DIY