Manifold for multiple compression drivers with a single point source exit

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a manifold composites sound from multiple drivers into a single aperture that includes multiple concentric rings. In operation, channels within the manifold isolate the sound generated by each driver from the sound generated by the other drivers. The channels within the manifold are intertwined to route the sound from each driver to a separate location in one of the multiple concentric rings. When the sound generated by each of the drivers is judiciously and deterministically delayed, the manifold generates a single point source of sound that may be fed into an acoustic horn. Notably, by isolating the sound generated by each driver, the manifold minimizes reflections and resonances that often degrade the sound fidelity of conventional horn loudspeakers. Consequently, the disclosed manifold enables an acoustic horn to project coherent sound for significantly longer distances than the acoustic horn would achieve using a conventional manifold.