B&C ME20 1 Inch Cast Aluminium Horn
The B&C ME20 is a professional-grade 1-inch horn engineered to deliver precise directivity control, consistent coverage, and reliable high-frequency performance in demanding sound reinforcement applications. Designed for use with 1-inch compression drivers, the B&C ME20 combines a proven acoustic profile with rugged cast aluminium construction, making it an excellent choice for loudspeaker manufacturers, system integrators, and audio professionals seeking durability and predictable performance.
In professional loudspeaker design, the horn plays a critical role in determining how sound is distributed throughout a listening environment. The B&C ME20 has been carefully engineered to provide controlled 90° horizontal by 60° vertical dispersion, allowing systems to achieve wide audience coverage while maintaining excellent intelligibility and tonal consistency. This balanced coverage pattern makes the horn suitable for a broad range of applications, including portable PA systems, stage monitors, installation loudspeakers, commercial audio systems, and custom speaker projects.
Unlike molded plastic alternatives, the B&C ME20 utilizes a robust cast aluminium construction that provides exceptional structural rigidity and long-term durability. This rugged design helps maintain the horn’s precise acoustic geometry even under challenging operating conditions, ensuring reliable performance throughout years of service.
With its 1.5 kHz cutoff frequency, compact dimensions, and professional coverage characteristics, the B&C ME20 provides an ideal platform for building high-performance loudspeaker systems capable of delivering clear, consistent, and controlled sound reproduction.
Professional 90° x 60° Coverage Pattern
One of the defining characteristics of the B&C ME20 is its carefully controlled 90° horizontal and 60° vertical coverage pattern. Effective directivity control is essential for achieving balanced sound distribution and maximizing the performance of any loudspeaker system.
The 90-degree horizontal dispersion allows the horn to cover a wide listening area, ensuring that audience members across the venue receive consistent audio reproduction. Whether installed in a live performance venue, conference facility, house of worship, or commercial environment, the broad horizontal pattern helps maintain uniform sound coverage throughout the audience area.
The 60-degree vertical coverage focuses acoustic energy toward listeners while reducing excessive reflections from ceilings and floors. This controlled vertical dispersion improves speech intelligibility, reduces unwanted room interactions, and contributes to a cleaner overall listening experience.
By combining wide horizontal coverage with focused vertical control, the B&C ME20 helps loudspeaker systems deliver accurate and consistent performance across a wide variety of acoustic environments.
Optimized for 1-Inch Compression Drivers
The B&C ME20 features a standard 25 mm (1 inch) throat diameter, making it compatible with a wide range of professional compression drivers. This industry-standard interface provides system designers with the flexibility to select drivers based on application requirements while maintaining straightforward integration.
Proper coupling between the compression driver and horn is critical for achieving smooth frequency response and efficient acoustic energy transfer. The B&C ME20 has been engineered to optimize this relationship, helping create a balanced transition between the driver and listening environment.
For OEM loudspeaker manufacturers and custom speaker builders, this compatibility provides greater design flexibility while ensuring dependable performance in both new and existing loudspeaker platforms.
Durable Cast Aluminium Construction
One of the most significant advantages of the B&C ME20 is its cast aluminium construction. Professional audio systems are frequently subjected to transportation, installation challenges, environmental factors, and extended periods of operation. The horn must therefore maintain its structural integrity under demanding conditions.
Cast aluminium provides exceptional strength and rigidity compared to many alternative materials. This robust construction helps preserve the horn’s precise acoustic shape, ensuring consistent performance throughout its service life.
The rigid structure also minimizes unwanted mechanical resonance and vibration that could potentially affect sound quality. As a result, the B&C ME20 delivers reliable performance while offering the durability required for professional sound reinforcement applications.
For touring systems, fixed installations, and OEM loudspeaker production, the cast aluminium design provides confidence that the horn will continue performing as intended for years to come.
Efficient Acoustic Loading
The B&C ME20 has been designed to provide effective acoustic loading for compatible compression drivers. Proper acoustic loading allows the driver to operate more efficiently, maximizing output while supporting smooth frequency response characteristics.
By efficiently coupling the driver’s diaphragm movement to the surrounding air, the horn helps improve system sensitivity and overall performance. This increased efficiency allows loudspeaker systems to achieve higher sound pressure levels while maintaining excellent clarity and detail.
The horn’s geometry supports controlled directivity throughout its operating range, helping preserve tonal consistency both on-axis and throughout the coverage area. This contributes significantly to the overall quality and predictability of the finished loudspeaker system.
1.5 kHz Cutoff Frequency for System Flexibility
The B&C ME20 features a cutoff frequency of 1.5 kHz, providing excellent flexibility when designing professional two-way loudspeaker systems. This cutoff point allows system designers to pair the horn with a variety of low-frequency transducers while maintaining appropriate crossover integration.
A 1.5 kHz cutoff frequency supports efficient operation in applications where smooth transition between low-frequency and high-frequency sections is essential. This makes the horn suitable for compact loudspeakers, stage monitors, portable PA systems, and installation speakers where balanced performance across the frequency spectrum is required.
The flexibility offered by this cutoff frequency allows designers to optimize system performance according to specific application requirements while maintaining consistent acoustic behavior.
Compact Design for Modern Speaker Cabinets
Modern loudspeaker designs often require components that maximize performance while minimizing enclosure size. The B&C ME20 has been engineered with compact dimensions that allow it to fit comfortably within a wide range of cabinet designs.
Measuring 145 x 145 x 90 mm, the horn offers professional acoustic performance while maintaining a footprint suitable for both compact and larger loudspeaker systems. This compact design allows manufacturers and builders to optimize enclosure layouts while preserving valuable internal space.
The efficient use of space makes the B&C ME20 particularly attractive for portable sound reinforcement systems, stage monitors, and installation loudspeakers where cabinet dimensions are often constrained by application requirements.
Improved Speech Intelligibility
Clear speech reproduction is one of the most important objectives in many professional audio systems. The B&C ME20 contributes significantly to speech intelligibility through its controlled directivity and consistent coverage characteristics.
By directing sound energy toward listeners rather than reflective surfaces, the horn helps reduce reverberant energy that can negatively impact vocal clarity. This focused dispersion allows announcements, presentations, and spoken content to remain intelligible throughout the listening area.
Applications such as conference rooms, educational facilities, houses of worship, transportation hubs, and commercial installations benefit greatly from the improved intelligibility supported by the B&C ME20’s design.
Excellent Choice for Music Reproduction
In addition to speech applications, the B&C ME20 performs exceptionally well in music reinforcement systems. The horn’s controlled dispersion pattern and efficient acoustic loading help preserve the detail, dynamics, and clarity required for accurate music reproduction.
Vocals remain articulate and natural, while instruments retain their tonal balance and definition. The consistent coverage pattern ensures that listeners throughout the venue experience similar sound quality, contributing to a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience.
Whether used in live music venues, performance spaces, portable PA systems, or installed entertainment systems, the B&C ME20 provides the performance needed to reproduce complex musical content accurately.
Applications for the B&C ME20
The versatility of the B&C ME20 makes it suitable for a wide variety of professional audio applications, including:
- Portable PA loudspeakers
- Two-way speaker systems
- Professional stage monitors
- Commercial sound systems
- Houses of worship
- Educational facilities
- Conference rooms
- Live sound reinforcement
- Entertainment venues
- Hospitality installations
- Retail sound systems
- OEM loudspeaker manufacturing
- Custom loudspeaker projects
- Speech reinforcement systems
- Public address applications
Its combination of controlled directivity, durable construction, and compact dimensions allows it to perform effectively in both portable and fixed-installation environments.
Why Choose the B&C ME20?
The B&C ME20 delivers a combination of professional acoustic performance, rugged construction, and installation flexibility that makes it an outstanding choice for modern loudspeaker systems. Its 90° x 60° coverage pattern provides predictable audience coverage, while the cast aluminium design ensures long-term reliability in demanding environments.
The standard 1-inch throat diameter offers broad compatibility with professional compression drivers, allowing system designers to create optimized loudspeaker solutions for a wide range of applications. The horn’s compact dimensions and 1.5 kHz cutoff frequency further enhance its versatility, making it suitable for both portable and installed systems.
For audio professionals seeking a durable, reliable, and acoustically consistent horn, the B&C ME20 represents a proven solution capable of delivering excellent results across countless applications.
Technical Specifications
General Specifications
- Product Model: B&C ME20
- Throat Diameter: 25 mm (1 in)
- Nominal Horizontal Coverage: 90°
- Nominal Vertical Coverage: 60°
- Cutoff Frequency: 1.5 kHz
- Material: Cast Aluminium
Dimensions
- Dimensions: 145 x 145 x 90 mm (5.7 x 5.7 x 3.6 in)
- Baffle Cutout Dimension: 118 mm (4.6 in)
- Air Volume Occupied by Driver: 0.1 dm³
Mounting and Shipping Information
- Net Weight: 0.37 kg (0.81 lb)
- Shipping Units: 1 Piece
- Shipping Weight: 0.38 kg (0.83 lb)
- Shipping Box Dimensions: 165 x 165 x 100 mm (6.50 x 6.50 x 3.94 in)
Conclusion
The B&C ME20 is a high-performance 1-inch horn designed to provide professional directivity control, dependable durability, and consistent acoustic performance. Featuring a controlled 90° x 60° dispersion pattern, rugged cast aluminium construction, compact dimensions, and a 1.5 kHz cutoff frequency, it offers an ideal solution for professional loudspeaker systems requiring reliable coverage and excellent sound quality. Whether used in portable PA systems, stage monitors, commercial installations, or OEM loudspeaker manufacturing, the B&C ME20 delivers the performance and reliability expected from professional B&C components.
VIEW MORE B&C PRODUCTS HERE.
About B&C Speakers S.r.L.
B&C Speakers products are built in Bagno a Ripoli (Florence), Italy., ensuring high quality products to suite your speaker building requirements. Their 10,500 square meter facility incorporates highly sophisticated automation and quality control. Over the years they become one of the world leaders in the Professional Audio market, a brand recognized everywhere as a premium product that offers excellent value to the consumer.
