John Karlson's Waveguide - Forgotten technology for high quality tweeter application

First marketed in John Karlson's "X15" loudspeaker system in 1965 - a parabolic or elliptical slot can be used . Small dimensions of the device and lack of gain may relegate them to ~1.5Khz upwards.

Transylvanai Power Company's "The Tube" appeared after Karlson's passing and had ~5.3" overall length - it can be approximated by a piece of 1" ID pipe and a half-ellipse patern and suitable for use with standard 1" format compression drivers

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• John Karlson
• Karlson Loudspeakers
• asymmetric projector
• Tweeters

[casey321b]

I dont see what it does... please tell me...

[gnativerson]

it has a certain frequency dependent dispersion pattern & good vertical coverage & good subjective horizontal coverage - it can sound better than some small horns and might be comparable in its range to some constant directivity waveguides such as DDS. Nugent supposely used two "The Tube" with guitar. Karlson's X15 speaker used it internally. With slot on top, a tube will be tilted down, with slot on bottom it'll tilt up and usually 30 degrees. Don't make them too long. 5.3" for 1" ID pvc

[DeVizardofOZ]

@casey321b Actually the waveguide idea is used by BOSE. With much success, I might add.

[casey321b]

thanks for telling me...