Wright Sound Systems

These are some things that really drive me nuts.
I tend to ramble on to anyone who will listen so if you disagree, you can e-mail me with your opinion.

Trapezoid boxes:
Unless you are actually making a multiple cabinet array, trapezoidal boxes are stupid.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. Hard to Build: The angled corners are harder to build therefore more expensive.
2. More Expensive: Oh yeah, I just covered that.
3. Hard to Pack: Trapezoid boxes make loading more work, who needs that?
4. Less Cubic Volume: This means less bass response for the same size box.
5. Can't lay down. If you try to lay them on their side, they will tip over. So you have to transport them standing up.
6. Dumb: Most trapezoid boxes don't have narrow enough coverage for a proper array. If the coverage is wider than 30°, the patterns will overlap and create nodes, thus defeating the purpose of an array. Why pay extra money for boxes that are hard to carry, hard to pack and don't sound as good as normal straight sided boxes?

Powered Speakers:
What a terrible idea.
Recently we have seen a rash of powered speakers. Back in the 70's many companies tried putting power amps inside the speaker cabinets, then abandoned the idea. It was a bad idea then and it still is.

Some reasons why are as follows:

1. Undependable: Vibrations and circuit boards DO NOT go together.
2. More Expensive: Small amps cost more-per-watt to build than big amps.
3. Added Size: The amp and power supply take up valuable enclosure space.
4. Added Weight: The amp and power supply add unnecessary pounds.
5. Two Cords Instead of One: Requires power cord PLUS signal cord.
6. Not Expandable: Additional speakers have to be powered.
7. Ground Loops: Often caused by multiple power locations.
8. Speaker Not Failsafe: If the amp dies, the speaker is useless.
9. Amp Not Failsafe: If the speaker dies, the amp is useless.
10. Normal amps, on the other hand, will run several speakers, cost less, sound better and last longer.
Conclusion: There is no logical reason to build the power amp into the speaker cabinet. Normal speakers and power amps will give you more power, versatility, portability and performance for less money and be more reliable in the process.