Building a Cab: Rounded Edges

just get a round over bit



Round-over bits basics

 

It's to ease diffraction, making smoother the transition between where radiation is omni-directional where the baffle is less than a wavelength across and where it's directional where the baffle is a wavelength across or more. The bad news is that there's little, if any, easing effect when the radius is less than about an inch and a half. That means sonically the standard 3/8 inch radius doesn't do anything. It just looks nice and is less prone to damage than squared corners.

Perhaps a bit more is in order. A good place to start:
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=219617

 

sound science. won't sound any different.
purely an aesthetic choice.
I'd buy the rounding bit. it makes your cab look that much nicer.
as does piping (which is also aesthetic)

 

Isn't that an issue more for high frequencies? I didn't think a guitar, especially a bass, was capable of frequencies that are high enough to make much of a difference, especially since stereo "imaging" isn't something that is an issue. At 2-1/2' across, the frequency would be in the 440-450 Hz range and as you posted, the radius needed is closer to 1-1/2", so the average of 3/4" is really more for wrapping the vinyl without busting through at the corners and being damaged so easily.

I like it because, as anyone who has rapped their knuckle on anything with crisp edges or sharp corners knows, it hurts like hell.

 

It does affect frequencies above the baffle step, but as he said, the regular rounded off corners on our cabs are just for looks. IMO, anyone who thinks they can hear a difference in a live sound bass cab is fooling themselves, especially when it's negated by baffle recess/grill mounts/grillcloth frame, etc. It does have a legitimate purpose in hi-fi stereo stuff.

 

Midrange actually, and as even a 2000 Hz tone has wavelength over six inches long a 3/4" radius is acoustically invisible to it.