just a thought on speakers

[disturbed13]

has anyone seen this?

in place of the horn feed you could just put any speaker that you want
and make the main reflector 'shallower' like a dinner plate almost
that way the sound spreads out

 

[markw]

Mirage utilizes this concept with their currently available Omnistat series of speakers. (top)

Zenith offered these speakers as part of their phonographs in the early 70's. (bottom)

 

[slipperybidness]

Also, here's a DIY
Speaker Projects Gallery,Speaker Design Goals, Project Materials, Enclosure Assembly, Speaker Project Photos and More, Submitted By Parts Express Customers.

 

[KEW]

The question is, do you want the sound to spread out?
I have a pair of the OMD-5's and have had Bose 901's. I have to say that the soundstage of these speakers is striking and can be seductive on initial listening. However, imaging sucks (as you might expect). After "soak iin" time, I reached teh conclusion that I like the omnidirectional sound for symphonic works (because it mimics their sound in a symphony hall), but I did not like it for most other types of music I listen to. I got rid of the 901's because their hi-end was very deficient. I use the Mirage OMD-5's as HT surrounds, which I think is a good application for this effect.
Naturally, YMMV, and if you primarily listen to symphonic, the omnidirectional sound may be your cup of tea.

 

[j_garcia]

There is already a patented application of this. The real problem is it is HIGHLY directional, not dispersed. The sound basically "beams" out from the secondary reflector, which is what it was designed to do. They installed them at Fry's as listening stations so that someone could stand below the unit and hear the sound, while others standing a few feet away would hear far less of that sound.