Horn Loading RAAL 70-20XR True Ribbon -- Full Measurement Comparison

I feature Horn No.1155 which is custom designed and built for the RAAL 72-20XR True Ribbon Tweeter. I compared directly against a regular test baffle to see how the horn improves the performance. I also provide some comparison between the RAAL/1155 horn and the SB Acoustics/1159 horn featured in a previous video.
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Troy Joseph Crowe is a small business located in Canada. He offers custom audio products such as wood horns and speaker cabinet design. He provides services to either individuals, small businesses, or start-ups. All of His designs are available for personal use in the form of 3D CAD files or CNC G-Code. If using for commercial use then licensing may be required for certain technologies. Joseph Crowe has a background in Mechanical Engineering Technology with extensive experience in both the Audio Industry and the Automotive Industry. All design work is done using SolidWorks 3D CAD modeling software. His focus is on audiophile two-channel music systems for the most accurate sound reproduction. Joseph Crowe follows a very methodical design process. Using acoustical and electrical measurement, along with various computer simulations, he can achieve designs that meet or exceed the original performance

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Why on earth would anyone thumb down this video?

[@lukasj921]

your videos are very interesting!

[@freovegan]

Dig your work Joseph. Any suggestions on how I can best block reflections from the wall I have mounted my wide directional Gallo Stradas? Using some absorption between the speakers helped... but actually screening reflections with a hard surface on the inside helped much more. Want G-Market some nice screens that come out to the drivers to block reflections to the front wall they’re mounted on. Any thoughts on whether the screening should be at 90° all the way, or whether they should flair out? (Pulling them out from the walls is not an option for me die to space, WAF and upper bass...). Any suggestions appreciated 🙏

[@ontherun8]

@Joseph Sorry, I should have specified that the Neo I'd like you to test is the model 3 !

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

I’m sure it would be amazing. The dual NEO8’s in the E-250 horn is incredible.

[@planchernewfinish]

WOW , just beautiful! I install Wood floor and sand also, love the Wood work that can be done with a cnc. I guess you take orders?

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

Yes it’s what I do for a living. Everything is made to order and customizable.

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Joesph, what is your favorite horn loaded ribbon you heard so far? Is it this one?? Also what side midwoofer would you pair this horn with? Regards, EH_I

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

I really like the Viawave SRT7 horn loaded. But I’m not sure what the current production situation is.

[@plcamp1]

Is there a mathematical description of the curve you use for your horns....that you are willing to share? I expect a natural curve (Fibonacci) is likely best but if you are willing to share I would love to see the exact description of the flare you use.

[@Torpengpogi]

hi joseph, your videos and projects are getting higher hi-end now and unaffordable for some of us now. and your tools and equipment are high tech and not all diy'ers can afford for many reason's. anyway i am requesting or suggesting of a cheap project, that i am thinking but no time to do it, i'm wondering if a small 8-ohm 5/6 inch paging horn speaker can be used for a center speaker in a home theater setup, together with an ordinary 2-12 ohm small 4-5 inch woofer and 1 8-ohm cone tweeter, design to be used for a dialogue center speaker. this paging speaker should be crossover 500-3000hz or as per mfrs recommendations. long long time ago i have experienced to hear in a public utility vehicle in our country with a setup on it's mobile sound and it was amazing how clear and intelligible the sound of the midrange was, but unfortunately i was not able to interview the driver owner during that time and i cannot forget that amazing sound. thanks and more power, p.s. i still not making a permanent passive crossover for my b&c 12cxt, but based from my experimentation 5khz is good enough for me and for my dynaco sca-35, i don't want tweeter to handle the high midrange but the woofer, thanks again.

[@ontherun8]

Hi Joseph, months ago you did a test by mounting the Neo8 / s in an improvised horn ... then you made some measurements ... those were promising, but as I said the horn was a job on the fly. If possible, I would like you to try the Neo again with a horn like the one presented here. Thank you and KUTGW 😉

[@linz1316]

Finally some humor

[@weatheranddarkness]

Very pretty, nice execution.

[@Toki1908]

Hi Joseph. Where did you find the Raal 70-20XR? Are they discontinued?

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

The customer supplied the drivers. There are similar models available from RAAL and Viawave. Each horn is custom made so you are able to choose.

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

Very nice, would be top for my beyma tpl150 amt's....whats the cost of a pair of those nice horns dear Joseph?

[@crapisnice]

i didn't know that tweeter horns could have such a low gain increase, i always have made sub or bass horns in hornresp

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

This particular ribbon tweeter will only mildly load in a horn due it just being a piece of aluminum floating in space. However the Viawave pure ribbon tweeters are fully sealed around the diaphragms periphery. It response extremely well to horn loading.

[@crapisnice]

@@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding try with cardboard with different angles and even placing a cardboard behind while you do so, maybe theres some gain

[@audiohertz2341]

Can you tell us what measuring software and system are you using ..?

[@g1981c]

did you 3D print the plastic adaptor ?

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

No. It was CNC machined.

[@rewind9536]

Raal has better drivers for hornloading. I made a slightly deeper horn and with bigger mouth running at 2000Hz and up.

[@linz1316]

Love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love material

[@joppepeelen]

Nice build dude!,horn does its thing ! but that RAAL....... expensive as **** and 1% D2 at 85db... thats embarrassing if you ask me. on there site it states "a true ribbon of just 1.8 kHz cutoff frequency" not sure how they would perform that task. in the baffled one its above 1% even @4Khz.... @85 db, and thats not all that loud if you ask me. even a nice horn like this cant save this driver im afraid. :( so size does matter so it seems.

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

Apparently the ribbon loses tension if it’s removed from the metal faceplate. I’ve ordered new ribbons and I’ll tension it properly using a heat gun. Then do a follow up video. This explains the high distortion in both tests...according to the manufacturer. 🤭

[@NiToNi2002]

Joseph Crowe's DIY Speaker Building That would explain it! Now way this legendary tweeter craps out at 85dB (i.e. at average listening levels of 65-70dB). The problem with horn loading this, and any other standard tweeter, is the increased CtC distance vis-a-vis the mid. This is why I’d love to see you be venturing into making a 2-way synergy horn using one of the latest coaxial 1.4” drivers (B&C, Celestion, BMS) or even the Radian 951PbBe. How difficult would it be to morph this horn and your double-Neo8S 250-horn into an integrated MTM or TMM design. Would be cool to see you try that. Are you using ATH4 (www.at-horns.eu) to design your horn profiles? If not, you should try it :)

[@joppepeelen]

@@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding although in there measurements. they had high distortion to :) although be it higher and higher up the frequency range :) but lets hope thats it !

[@linz1316]

Hey Joseph when are you getting me Animal Crossing

[@lynnpoole7830]

Well made and engineered but I feel the CNC wood pieces are way over priced. Only a few elite people are going to purchase and build these speakers. Wow and $2,330.00 for a pair of the ribbons and horns ! Out of my price range and I think many others.

[@JosephCrowesDIYSpeakerBuilding]

The price is in CAD currency which is $1,456 USD per pair. That’s pretty reasonable for a custom one-off product made to order.

[@PlaybackMansion]

These are Under-Priced! Especially since Joseph had to engineer an improvement to something that is already highly designed. Then programming a CNC to make it and sourcing big pieces of walnut. This is a hifi bargain

[@HatlessChimp1]

@@PlaybackMansion well said!

[@munnanawaz4668]

actually, reasonably priced..in my opionion. its a bespoke product.