Sourcing horn speakers

[Sigfather]

Greetings, all you BG crafty-type people.

I'm looking for a source for horn speakers.....I've found a great many sites offering one-off examples of these eye-catching antiques, but my issue is that I need 2 of the same speaker for an upcoming project. As yet, I have been unable to find anywhere that offers two of the same model speaker for sale.

Any help out there?

Specifically, something like this:

[Rooster]

They didn't have stereo sound back in the days they used these so matching pairs will be hard to come by.

[Sigfather]

Agreed. Simply two of the same model would be sufficient, as I'm going to be refurbishing them anyway.

[Siliconous Skumins]

Agreed. Simply two of the same model would be sufficient, as I'm going to be refurbishing them anyway.

If by "refurbish" you mean strip 'em down and use modern parts, I think you would be better off making your own. It's not too hard with a little basic DIY skills. Otherwise your going to be paying a lot of money for something you are essentially about to break...    (epoxy fibre glass resin, a pair of ladies Nylon tights, Bondo and a wire / chicken wire frame mould... Papier-mâché was also a common material to use.)

On the otherhand if you are restoring them to working condition for an antique or modern device, then you would be better off asking around some of the various radio collecting forums - items often trade hands there. Also radio-ham events would be a likely source.

SS

[A. Pettyengineer]

I too am or was looking for a set of horns along the same lines and somewhere in here there is a link to a maker that makes 1 horn from tin.
I am at present looking for the link as I have decided to build my own and the copper arrives tomorrow Friday 11th.
I plan to make mine with a bit of repousse on the outer rim and I also plan to put up the pattern for those that are willing to have a try themselves after I have perfected it if at all possible.

tinsmith.mov

AH did find him!

[Siliconous Skumins]

The thing with horn type speakers, is that they came in quite a variety of shapes - some that don't even look like anything we would identify as a speaker today. Such as:


This reminds me more of an electric room heater or something...


http://www.antiqueradio.com/Jan09_Crocker_TownCrier.html




http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/amplion_concert_dragon_horn_ar35.html




Forum thread with lots of horn pics: http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=121288&start=120


So there  are LOTS potential shapes to use for a speaker, but it must be said that the traditional gramophone horn shape just screams 'steampunk' to most pepole. 

SS

[Maets]

Used an old trumpet to make this ipod player.  Gives a rather nice sound with lots of volume. There is a battery powered speaker under the horn.

[A. Pettyengineer]

I decided today to have a test as I don't want to throw away good copper sheet so I started with a coffee tin.
Cut off the top and bottom then cut out the seam rolled the tinplate over a round lump of wood to flatten and made ......well her is the start,



In the video he had a "Jenny" to get a step before he started the small fold I have a Jenny but not the rollers he has so I did it as an under stocked work shop so very basic.
He was correct it is hard to keep it together while you hammer down to lock off.
I also realised that every 2nd one is folded the other way so that they lock or hook together.

[Angus A Fitziron]

Is it for looks or do you want to use it to listen to stuff through? If the latter, then to get any reasonable low frequencies (LF) through them they will need to be a decent size ~ 20"+ diameter? Also, how are you going to drive them? My suggestion would be to use them for high frequency (HF) and one or two regular loudspeakers for LF. You can get HF drivers quite easily, which gives you the dimensions of the flange that your horn needs to attach to it. Try googling "HF Horn" for some ideas and potential sources. You may be able to modify a standard horn with other bits of tube.

[A. Pettyengineer]

The reason I am looking at is that in some dopy sense I would like most of what I build if possible to be just that bit more.
In the way I would like to say build a box toss in a modern day radio connect all the nobs to the out side than put 1/2 a horn on it with a cloth behind and in the Horn so the radio speaker works quite well (with maby a bit of tinny sound) so like a nice Steamed Light it is in the era.
Plus more than that it's the chance to learn a new skill...said he wondering off to Goooooogle to search a "Z" bit for Jenny ( Burring machine)that's over 100yrs old.

[Lt. Thomas Corvidae]

Here is a source that you might be interested in:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/the-gaumont-chronophone-system