The 3D-Spiral Horn Speaker Building
Measurements of frequency response
of Helix100
Head volume = 2.6 liters
(Renewed on 7 Aug. 2003)


Configuration of Measurement System
Measuring system

LoudspeakerHelix100 :
3D-spiral horn speaker
USB audio interface*EDIROL
UA-3D
Condenser microphone**Primo
EMU-4535-2 :
set with omni directional capsule EM-23A
frequency characteristics : 30 - 18,000 Hz
(used with no calibration)
Software***Channel D Software
Mac the Scope™ 4.0 : signal analyzer
ComputerApple
Power Mac G4 (OS 9.2.2)
Pre-amp/Power-ampMarantz DAC-1
Technics SE-A100
CD playerSony
CDP-555ESJ
CD****Japan Audio Society
Audio Test CD-1 : White Noise ; 20Hz~20kHz
* Sound Blaster Another USB sound card with Mic-In for PC and Notebook
** The following mono-microphones may be suitable for the measurement related to audio. Only 28 to 45 US$. Frequency response : 20 - 20,000 Hz. Omni directional.
Giant Squid (Electrets condenser mics) Mono Microphone
Microphone Madness (Tiny mono cableless mics) SMM-1,TMM-1 and TMM-2
Sound Professionals (Lapel mics) SP-LAV-1
** A low price Omni-Directional Measurement Microphone, BEHRINGER ECM8000 with Preamplifier MIC100 is suitable for real-time analysis with maximum precision.
*** There are lots of signal analyzers for Windows and a little of signal analyzer for Mac on the web sites.
*** If you discard a file created automatically in the initial setting folder and re-install,
it may be possible to use a demo or trial version software longer time.
**** As shown above, it may be safe to disconnect the input signal to the speaker from the computer in use with a signal analyzer.
**** The CD-R with white noise burned from a signal generator (usually attached to a signal analyzer) may be suitable for this purpose.

Practices of Measurements
left channel
left channel

mout output
mouth output


Results of spectrum analysis
Resolution 21.53Hz; Span 22050Hz
Magnitude -110 to -40 dBFS (FS : full scale)
channel
mono
1m
coaxial
center
stereo
2m
center


Resolution 21.53Hz; Span 22050Hz
Magnitude -110 to 0 dBFS
mouth output
mono
mouth output
center
(border of mouth)
10 cm
mono
near field response
coaxial
(10 cm from cone)

Conclusions
(1) It was confirmed that the bass output of Helix100 had been satisfactory.
(2) Our common sense that big woofers are essential for producing heavy bass sounds has been proved to be wrong.
(3) We have got a new knowledge that mere 8cm full range drivers can reproduce a superb heavy bass sounds.

About the measurements of other than Helix100, please see the following pages.
Helix150
Helix75
Helix-B100
Helix-B75
Helix-L150 (with FE206E)
Helix-L125 (2-way system with FW137)
Helix-L100 (with FE103E)
Helix-L151 (with FE167E)
Helix-L152 (2-way system with 7" woofer)
Helix-L153 (with P-610MB)
Helix-L102 (with 3" driver)
Helix-L70
Helix-H125
Helix-H100
Helix-H88
Helix-H75
Helix-P100
About the influence of head volume on frequency response, see the following pages.
Helix100
Helix75
About the influence of enclosure and driver on frequency response, see the following page.
Comparison between B100 and L100

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