AES Europe 2026

In today’s live; electronic music events there are some
sound reinforcement systems that are using horn loaded bass
speaker cabinets to provide the low-end section. Especially
for the electronic music applications the PA system is
designed to use one or multiple clusters of bass cabinets
to provide the needed SPL; impact in the low frequency
range. Despite being large; heavy the horn loaded bass
speakers have some advantages like the efficiency;
directivity which makes them a great option for electronic
music. Even more, the enthusiasts are describing them as
having a longer projection of the sound when compared with
bass reflex units. When used in clusters the bass horns
present a mutual coupling due to a larger mouth surface
area; the physics behind. This effect alters the working
parameters in a good way regarding sound reproduction;
is clearly noticed at high levels. This mechanism increases
the output close to the low edge of the frequency response
interval; changes the directivity pattern. A cluster of
four or six double 18” horn loaded bass bins placed in the
front middle of a dance area will provide good impact
described a “punchy” sound, so acclaimed in the electronic
music party scene. In this paper I will describe an
investigation of the mutual coupling between horn cabinets
using electrical; acoustical measurements to reveal the
mentioned above mechanism. Electrical impedance measurement
together with SPL; frequency response in coupled;
uncoupled scenarios are used to describe; demystify the
mutual coupling phenomena.