How does belling the end of a horn affect sound frequencies?

Belling the end of a horn is a common practice in acoustics that increases the high frequencies of the sound produced. This design modification modifies the way sound waves propagate through the horn. By flaring out the end of the horn, it allows sound waves to travel more effectively, especially those at higher frequencies, which are generally less stable than lower frequencies.

The physics behind this involves the change in airflow and resonance characteristics associated with a bellowed end. The widening of the horn allows for better coupling of the sound waves to the surrounding environment, leading to improved efficiency in transmitting higher frequency sounds. As a result, the overall sound quality is enhanced with a clearer representation of those high frequencies.

In contrast, reducing overall sound output or decreasing low frequencies does not happen through this method; instead, it is focused on enhancing the clarity and presence of higher frequencies. Moreover, the notion of having no impact on sound quality overlooks the significant acoustic changes that a bell shape introduces in sound propagation, particularly in relation to high-frequency enhancement.