Matterhorn Woofer

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It can generate a constant 15 Hz sine wave tone at 140 dB for 24 hours a day, seven days a week with extremely low harmonic distortion. The subwoofer has a flat frequency response from 15 to 80 Hz, and is down 3 dB at 12 Hz. …[at a convention] the Matterhorn was barred from making any loud demonstrations of its power because of concerns about damaging the building of the Orange County Convention Center. Instead, using only a single 20 amp electrical circuit for safety, visitors were allowed to step inside the horn of the subwoofer for an “acoustic massage” as the fractionally powered Matterhorn reproduced low level 10-15 Hz waves.

The “Matterhorn” woofer is not just any ordinary speaker; it is an extraordinary feat of engineering designed to produce extremely low-frequency sounds at high volumes. This colossal subwoofer system was created by Danley Sound Labs, named after the famous Matterhorn, a mountain in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy, symbolizing the monumental size and power of the woofer.

Design and Specifications

The Matterhorn woofer was designed to meet a specific challenge: to create a subwoofer capable of delivering powerful, low-frequency sound for testing purposes, specifically to simulate the sound environment of an aircraft for military training simulations. Its specifications are as impressive as its purpose:

– Structure: The Matterhorn is essentially a giant subwoofer enclosure, approximately the size of a shipping container. It measures 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet high.
– Speakers: It houses an array of 40 subwoofer drivers, each 15 inches in diameter, capable of moving massive volumes of air to produce sound.
– Frequency Range: The system is designed to reproduce frequencies as low as 15 Hz, which is below the threshold of human hearing (20 Hz to 20 kHz). These ultra-low frequencies are more felt as vibrations than heard as sound.
– Power: To drive its array of subwoofers, the Matterhorn requires a substantial amount of power. It operates on thousands of watts to achieve its intended output levels.
– Output: The design allows it to produce sound levels exceeding 140 decibels (dB), creating a physical sensation of sound that can mimic the vibrations and pressure experienced inside an aircraft.

Applications

While the initial design of the Matterhorn was for military simulation and testing, such a powerful and unique subwoofer system has potential applications in various fields:

– Entertainment: For large-scale events, theme parks, or immersive theater experiences where powerful low-frequency effects are desired to enhance the audience’s experience.
– Research: In scientific studies that require the generation of low-frequency sounds, such as studies on sound propagation, vibration analysis, or the impact of low-frequency noise on structures and materials.
– Testing: Beyond military applications, the Matterhorn could be used for testing the resilience of architectural structures, vehicles, or equipment to low-frequency vibrations.

Conclusion

The Matterhorn woofer by Danley Sound Labs is a remarkable example of audio engineering pushed to its limits. It embodies the extreme end of sound reproduction technology, where the goal is not just to produce sound but to create powerful, tangible experiences with it. While not practical for everyday use or typical consumer applications, the Matterhorn represents the cutting edge of what is possible in sound system design and performance.