Reference
Tiles
Each tile answers a different question about your design. Add the ones you need with Add tile, or choose a layout that already groups them.
Start with a question#
| Question | Use |
|---|---|
| How deep and loud does it play? | SPL (dB), then Max SPL (dB). |
| Can it reach my listening target? | Headroom, with the intended distance and crest factor. |
| Why is the port likely to be noisy? | Port Velocity, including the rear port where present. |
| Why does my horn have a notch? | Horn Radiating Outputs and the Schematic. |
| Which of these designs suits my band? | Metrics and Compare. |
Read the response#
Start with the output, then inspect its shape, phase, delay and electrical load.
SPL (dB)Sound pressure level in dB at each frequency for every visible enclosure, at its power and EQ, the radiation space and the listening distance.Transfer Function MagnitudeEach design’s response in dB against its own reference level, so power and listening distance drop out and only the shape is left.PhaseThe phase of each design’s sound in degrees at each frequency, including EQ and filters, wrapped to the range −180° to +180°.Group DelayHow late each frequency arrives, in ms, worked out from how fast the phase turns. EQ and filters are included.ImpedanceThe electrical load the amplifier sees, in ohms, at each frequency: its size only, not its phase.
Check the limits#
Use the power and filters you intend to run. Output alone cannot tell you whether a design has enough travel or port area.
Max SPL (dB)The loudest each design can play at each frequency, one sine at a time, before the cone reaches Xmax or the driver reaches its thermal limit.HeadroomYour listening level and its peaks against what the design can play cleanly at each frequency, counting cone travel, heat, port air speed and passive radiators.ExcursionHow far the cone travels from rest, peak and one way, in mm at each frequency, against the driver’s Xmax.Port VelocityPeak air speed in the port, in m/s, at each frequency, against the warning line.Port Velocity (Rear Chamber)Peak air speed in a bandpass box’s rear-chamber port, in m/s, at each frequency, against the warning line.Port Volume VelocityHow much air flows through a vented box’s port each second, at its peak, at each frequency.Cone VelocityHow fast the cone moves, at its peak, at each frequency: m/s, or mm/s below 1 m/s.PR ExcursionHow far each passive radiator travels, peak and one way, in mm at each frequency, against its own Xmax.Amplifier Load (VA)Apparent amplifier demand in VA at each frequency, with optional RMS current.
Shape and inspect a horn#
Edit the acoustic path, try a cabinet fold and read the air inside the horn.
Horn EditorThe unfolded horn path as a drawing or a table, including spans, flares, stuffing and driver entries.FoldA cabinet fold with boards, driver placement and checks against the intended horn.Horn PressureRMS acoustic pressure in Pa, or its phase, at a chosen station inside the horn.Horn Particle VelocityPeak air-particle speed in m/s at a chosen station inside the horn.Horn Acoustic ImpedancePressure divided by volume flow at a horn station, as magnitude, phase, resistance or reactance.Horn Radiating OutputsEach radiating mouth, port or exposed cone separately, plus their coherent total.
Edit and compare#
Put the relevant controls and comparisons beside the response you are working on.
MetricsVisible designs ranked by one selected measure, at a frequency or over a band when applicable.InsightsRule-based notes about visible designs, including travel, port behaviour and response shape.CompareTwo different quantities against the same frequency axis, each with its own vertical scale.SchematicHow drivers, chambers, ports and horn paths connect acoustically.EQ EditorSPL with editable filter handles for the selected enclosure or horn driver.Baffle LayoutThe selected driver on a rectangular baffle, with the model’s baffle-step transition and correction.T/S ParametersThe selected driver’s electrical, mechanical and physical parameters, plus derived interpretation and sealed targets.
Keep output and limits together#
A useful starting set is SPL (dB), Excursion and the outlet’s velocity or travel tile. Keep Headroom beside them when choosing a listening level. A blank port, radiator or horn tile may simply mean none of the visible enclosures has that part.