Cylinder Phonograph Horns

[VictorVV-X]

I’m trying to get a better understanding of horns. Everyone seems to like the Cygnet horn, but is this more for aesthetics or function and sound quality/fidelity? How do they compare in sound quality to a straight type of horn? Also, does the kind of material the horn is made of change anything; such as wood vs metal or paper mache?

Thanks in advance.

[52089]

You might start here, a video that features a custom-made exponentially correct cygnet horn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhLjcfswHb0

I got an Edison cygnet horn a few years ago, and with a rebuilt reproducer, it's just amazing.

[VictorVV-X]

You might start here, a video that features a custom-made exponentially correct cygnet horn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhLjcfswHb0

I got an Edison cygnet horn a few years ago, and with a rebuilt reproducer, it's just amazing.

That is really cool. I have imagined that the length of the Cygnet horn would give better fidelity.
Are these larger horns much louder than a 14” horn? That may be the one thing that keeps me from upgrading. The room I play the cylinders in is not that large, and I have to mute the horn I’m using at times.

[Curt A]

"...a video that features a custom-made exponentially correct cygnet horn".

Where did this custom made cygnet horn come from, or who made it?

[52089]

"...a video that features a custom-made exponentially correct cygnet horn".

Where did this custom made cygnet horn come from, or who made it?

Tom Kimble. Search the board for "Ediphonic" and you'll find several earlier discussions.

[Inigo]

So this same Tom Kimble is the author of a very sensitive soundbox fit gramophones that can play vinyl 78s without damage...

https://youtu.be/3MOLfhk5icI

[AmberolaAndy]

I have a Cygent thanks to Jerry B. I like it a lot but I hear so much about the Music Master Cygnet? What makes that brand so special compared to a regular Cygnet?

[VanEpsFan1914]

I have a Cygent thanks to Jerry B. I like it a lot but I hear so much about the Music Master Cygnet? What makes that brand so special compared to a regular Cygnet?

The Music Master is a wooden horn instead of sheet steel, and some people like the sound better--it's also a very nice collectible.

[Jerry B.]

The room I play the cylinders in is not that large,

In addition to a great sounding horn, the Cygnet is totally above the machine so it does not take up more space. I think Edison coined the phrase "it's a win win."

Jerry Blais

[Lucius1958]

I’m trying to get a better understanding of horns. Everyone seems to like the Cygnet horn, but is this more for aesthetics or function and sound quality/fidelity? How do they compare in sound quality to a straight type of horn? Also, does the kind of material the horn is made of change anything; such as wood vs metal or paper mache?

Thanks in advance.

The biggest advantage of the Cygnet was that it made it possible to mount a large horn (hence providing better sound response), without taking up too much room compared to a straight horn.

The difference between metal horns and wooden or fiber examples is mainly that the latter cut down on high frequencies (which is where most surface noise happens), and are sonically "neutral", without resonances which might distort reproduction.

- Bill