EAW BH-500-LR User manual

The BH-500-LR is designed to offer the
advantages of low frequency horn loading in a package
compact and durable enough for portable applications, at a
price making it cost effective for even the smallest high
output systems. The dramatic improvements of a true horn
loaded system are realized in the BH-500's performance
including: high efficiency, wide dynamic range, improved
pattern control and unsurpassed transient response. True horn
loading reduces the excursion required by the woofer for a
given output level, effectively reducing distortion and
increasing overall power handling. The BH-500-LR brings
these advanced performance features to smaller systems
which have previously used quasi-horns or vented boxes
because the size and cost of a true bass horn was prohibitive.
Description
The BH-500-LR is a mathematically correct, bent,
exponential bass horn, using proprietary construction
techniques to offer ideal sonic performance in high output
applications. The bent horn design eliminates the
performance compromises that plague most of the folded or
straight horn designs used by competitors. It is extremely
difficult to build a true bass horn out of wood that maintains
acoustical integrity and is also non resonant. Design integrity
is often compromised by home constructors and competitors
to simplify construction, thereby creating a finished unit with
unacceptable resonances and response problems. EAW has
solved this problem by using a proprietary tech
nique of reinforcing a thin layer of laminated birch hardwood
with injected high density polyurethane foam. The result is
our ability to produce a complex exponential horn cross
section down to the critical throat area with complete
mechanical and acoustical integrity. This process results in a
horn structure which is vastly superior in rigidity, complexity
and durability to those constructed of wood, fiberglass and
wood combinations.
The BH-500 also features a very low flare rate of
40 Hz which is considerably better than typical theater type
horns which have a flare rate of 100 to 150 Hz. Additionally
the mouth area is as large as possible, effectively the entire
cabinet frontal area and 30% to 50% larger than theater
horns. The resulting product sets new standards for smooth
deep response at high sound pressure levels in a portable
package. The BH500-LR offers as much as 8 dB more output
in the 60 Hz to 120 Hz region than vented horn designs and
will outperform folded horns in response linearity and high
frequency bandwidth.

Driver Complement
The BH-500 is normally supplied, and functions
most effectively, with the EAW/RCF LF-384R driver
designed for it. Each EAW product is designed as an
integrated system, and the selection of driver parameters is
optimized for the intended system use. The EAW/RCF
LF-384R drivers, like all RCF professional drivers, are not
merely upgraded PA drivers but are engineered from the
frame upward to perform reliably at high power levels in
their respective applications. The LF-384R performance
record is excellent and when operated within its rated 300
watts RMS specification, field failure probability is
essentially zero.
The massive magnetic structure and large 100mm
(4") voice coil maintain low distortion and high efficiency
even under demanding continuous high power applications.
The design parameters are aligned for horn loading use
making this driver offer a higher efficiency than any other
commercially available driver able to reproduce low
distortion bass below 100 Hz.
System Specifications
Frequency Response
Single Unit: 55 Hz to 600 Hz ±3
dB
Quad Array: 48 Hz to 300 Hz ±3
dB
Lowest Usable Frequency
Single Unit: 50 Hz - 10 dB
Quad Array: 40 Hz - 10 dB
Recommended Crossover Frequency
Single Unit: 250 to 600 Hz
Quad Array: 250 to 300 Hz
Sensitivity
1 Watt at 1 Meter: 107 dB SPL
Power Handling
Continuous Sine Wave: 300 w RMS
Program: 500 w
Maximum Output
300 Watts at I Meter: 131 dB SPL
Dispersion
Horizontal: 1000
Vertical: 500
Horn Flare Rate: 40 Hz
Driver Specifications
Type: EAW/RCF LF-384-R
Nominal Diameter: 380mm (15")
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Voice Coil Diameter: 100mm (4")
Flux Density: 11,000 Gauss (I. I
Telsa)
Cabinet Specifications
Cabinet Material: 18 plies to the inch,
cross grain-laminated birc
h
hardwood, all voids
filled with high density
polyure thane foam.
Cabinet Finish: Catalyzed black
Polyure thane
Input Connectors: Dual 1/4 inch phone
jacks, banana plugs
Cabinet Dimensions:
Height: 1,276mm (50.25")
Width: 625mm (24.63")
Depth: 625mm (24.63")
Weight, with Driver: 129.8 lbs.