A horn’s ability to amplify sound, its “gain,” diminishes as the signal’s cycles per second increase beyond a specific point. This point is governed by the horn’s physical dimensions, particularly its mouth diameter and flare rate. For example, a horn designed to amplify low-frequency bass notes will inevitably exhibit reduced amplification for higher-pitched treble notes.
Understanding the upper frequency limit of effective amplification is critical in audio engineering. Accurate reproduction across the audible spectrum relies on selecting or designing horns optimized for the target frequencies. Historically, this understanding has driven advancements in loudspeaker design, enabling the creation of systems capable of delivering balanced and nuanced audio experiences.