So why are bass speakers nearly always round? *bored at work thread!*

[derrenleepoole]

Just trawling eBay, bored, like you do... and a thought popped into my head... Why are nearly all bass speakers round in shape? You get other speakers that are oval, say for car subs etc... but I don't recall seeing a bass cabinet with oval speakers.

I know that a lot has to do with the physics of frequencies etc... but wouldn't having differently shaped speakers offer, in some instances at least, more compact and portable solutions?

[WyrdoBass]

[Jools4001]

Because bottom ends are always better if they're nicely rounded

[aurian4parker]

Originally Posted by Jools4001

Because bottom ends are always better if they're nicely rounded

So are rear ends

[derrenleepoole]

Originally Posted by Jools4001

Because bottom ends are always better if they're nicely rounded

Good one!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Hate to be a spoil-sport, EXTREMELY good answers up there , but the reason is the ease of manufacturing and the fact that the area of a circle inside a square is already about 80% of the total area. Not much to gain in squaring up the corners a bit.

Also a round cone is stiffer than a pyramid.
The dispersion pattern becames a bit erratic too.

Just my 0.02€
Sam

[dave64o]

Originally Posted by Jools4001

Because bottom ends are always better if they're nicely rounded

The definitive answer right there.

[Rattman]

I also am leaning towards that warm, "round" sound that well-designed bass reenforcement speakers provide in bass rigs.. I get the warm fuzzies when I listen to well-made, rounded speakers.. kinda grows on ya after a while eh?