B&C ME45 1 Inch Cast Aluminium Horn
The B&C ME45 is a professional 1-inch cast aluminium horn engineered to deliver precise directivity control, high acoustic efficiency, and exceptional reliability in demanding sound reinforcement environments. Designed for use with 1-inch compression drivers, the B&C ME45 combines wide horizontal coverage with focused vertical dispersion, making it an ideal choice for professional loudspeaker systems that require accurate sound projection, improved intelligibility, and consistent audience coverage.
In professional audio system design, the horn is one of the most critical components influencing overall system performance. The horn determines how acoustic energy is distributed throughout a venue, directly affecting clarity, coverage consistency, and listening experience. The B&C ME45 has been specifically developed to provide controlled 90° horizontal by 40° vertical dispersion, allowing sound engineers and loudspeaker designers to focus acoustic energy precisely where it is needed while minimizing unwanted reflections and wasted output.
Constructed from rugged cast aluminium, the B&C ME45 offers significantly greater structural integrity than many plastic alternatives. This durable construction helps maintain precise acoustic geometry under demanding operating conditions, ensuring reliable performance in touring systems, fixed installations, houses of worship, auditoriums, theaters, and high-performance commercial sound systems.
Featuring a low 1 kHz cutoff frequency, excellent directivity control, and robust professional construction, the B&C ME45 provides system designers with a versatile horn solution capable of delivering outstanding performance across a wide range of applications.
Controlled 90° x 40° Coverage Pattern
One of the defining characteristics of the B&C ME45 is its carefully engineered 90° horizontal and 40° vertical dispersion pattern. This combination provides excellent audience coverage while maintaining greater control over vertical sound distribution than wider-coverage horn designs.
The 90-degree horizontal dispersion ensures broad coverage across the listening area, allowing audience members throughout the venue to experience consistent sound quality. This wide horizontal pattern is particularly valuable in applications where even coverage across seating areas or audience zones is essential.
The narrower 40-degree vertical coverage focuses acoustic energy toward listeners while reducing excessive ceiling and floor reflections. By minimizing unwanted reflections, the horn helps improve speech intelligibility, enhance musical clarity, and reduce the negative effects of room acoustics.
This controlled coverage pattern makes the B&C ME45 especially well-suited for applications requiring long-throw performance, focused sound projection, and improved pattern control.
Low 1 kHz Cutoff Frequency
The B&C ME45 features a cutoff frequency of just 1 kHz, providing loudspeaker designers with greater flexibility when integrating compression drivers into professional speaker systems.
A lower cutoff frequency allows the horn to operate effectively over a broader portion of the frequency spectrum, enabling smoother integration between low-frequency and high-frequency components. This can result in improved phase response, enhanced vocal reproduction, and more seamless crossover implementation.
The ability to support operation down to 1 kHz makes the B&C ME45 particularly attractive for high-performance two-way loudspeaker systems where maintaining consistent directivity through the crossover region is critical.
For professional system designers, this lower cutoff frequency expands design possibilities while helping optimize overall system performance.
Engineered for 1-Inch Compression Drivers
The B&C ME45 utilizes a standard 25 mm (1 inch) throat diameter, providing compatibility with a wide range of professional compression drivers. This industry-standard interface allows loudspeaker manufacturers and audio engineers to select drivers based on their specific performance goals while maintaining seamless integration.
The throat geometry has been carefully designed to facilitate efficient acoustic coupling between the compression driver and horn. Proper coupling improves energy transfer, reduces acoustic losses, and supports smoother frequency response characteristics throughout the operating range.
Whether used in OEM loudspeaker production or custom speaker projects, the B&C ME45 offers the flexibility needed for a wide variety of professional applications.
Rugged Cast Aluminium Construction
Professional audio equipment must withstand years of operation under challenging conditions. The B&C ME45 addresses this requirement through its durable cast aluminium construction.
Unlike lightweight plastic horns that may flex or resonate under high-output conditions, cast aluminium provides outstanding rigidity and dimensional stability. This structural strength helps preserve the horn’s carefully engineered acoustic profile, ensuring consistent performance throughout its service life.
The robust construction also improves resistance to physical impacts, transportation stresses, and demanding installation environments. This makes the B&C ME45 an excellent choice for touring systems, portable PA applications, and permanent installations where long-term reliability is essential.
The additional rigidity offered by cast aluminium can also help reduce unwanted resonances, contributing to cleaner and more accurate sound reproduction.
Enhanced Speech Intelligibility
Speech intelligibility remains one of the most important performance criteria in professional sound reinforcement systems. The B&C ME45 contributes significantly to vocal clarity through its controlled dispersion characteristics and focused vertical coverage.
By directing sound toward listeners rather than reflective surfaces, the horn minimizes reverberant energy that can reduce speech intelligibility. This focused projection allows spoken content to remain clear and understandable throughout the coverage area.
Applications such as conference centers, educational facilities, houses of worship, transportation hubs, and public address systems benefit greatly from the improved vocal clarity supported by the B&C ME45.
The horn’s ability to maintain consistent directivity also helps ensure that listeners receive balanced sound reproduction regardless of their position within the intended coverage area.
Excellent Performance for Music Reinforcement
While speech reproduction is important, the B&C ME45 is equally capable in music reinforcement applications. Its efficient acoustic loading and controlled directivity help preserve the detail, dynamics, and tonal accuracy required for professional music playback.
Vocals remain articulate and natural, while instruments retain their definition and clarity. The horn’s ability to distribute sound evenly across a venue contributes to a more consistent listening experience for audiences.
Whether used in live music venues, performance theaters, portable PA systems, or installed entertainment systems, the B&C ME45 supports accurate and engaging music reproduction.
The combination of broad horizontal coverage and focused vertical control makes it particularly effective in environments where maintaining clarity and reducing room interaction are priorities.
Efficient Acoustic Loading
The B&C ME45 has been engineered to provide efficient acoustic loading for compatible compression drivers. Efficient loading improves the conversion of driver output into usable acoustic energy, helping maximize system sensitivity and overall performance.
By supporting efficient operation, the horn allows compression drivers to achieve higher sound pressure levels while maintaining low distortion and excellent clarity. This increased efficiency is particularly valuable in professional sound reinforcement systems where maximum output and reliability are critical requirements.
The horn’s carefully developed geometry helps maintain consistent performance across its operating range, contributing to balanced frequency response and predictable directivity behavior.
Suitable for a Wide Range of Professional Applications
The versatility of the B&C ME45 allows it to perform effectively across numerous professional audio applications. Its controlled coverage pattern, durable construction, and low cutoff frequency make it suitable for both portable and installed sound systems.
Common applications include:
- Professional PA systems
- Live sound reinforcement
- Houses of worship
- Auditoriums
- Theaters
- Conference facilities
- Educational institutions
- Commercial audio installations
- Portable speaker systems
- Two-way loudspeaker designs
- High-output sound systems
- Public address applications
- OEM loudspeaker manufacturing
- Custom speaker projects
- Entertainment venues
Its balanced combination of coverage control and acoustic performance allows designers to create systems that deliver consistent results in a wide variety of environments.
Compact Yet Powerful Design
Despite its professional performance capabilities, the B&C ME45 maintains dimensions that remain practical for integration into loudspeaker enclosures.
Measuring 310 x 140 x 124 mm, the horn offers substantial acoustic performance while remaining manageable for cabinet design and installation. The horn’s geometry has been optimized to provide effective pattern control and low-frequency loading without unnecessary bulk.
This balance between performance and size allows loudspeaker designers to achieve professional results while maintaining practical enclosure dimensions.
The horn also occupies only 0.26 dm³ of internal volume, helping maximize available cabinet space for other system components.
Why Choose the B&C ME45?
The B&C ME45 provides professional loudspeaker designers with an ideal combination of controlled dispersion, low-frequency loading capability, rugged construction, and acoustic efficiency.
Its 90° x 40° coverage pattern offers precise audience targeting while reducing unwanted reflections. The 1 kHz cutoff frequency provides flexibility for advanced system designs, while the cast aluminium construction ensures years of dependable operation.
Compatibility with standard 1-inch compression drivers further enhances its versatility, allowing integration into a wide range of professional loudspeaker systems.
For engineers seeking a durable, acoustically refined horn capable of delivering excellent coverage control and reliable performance, the B&C ME45 remains an outstanding solution.
Technical Specifications
General Specifications
- Product Model: B&C ME45
- Throat Diameter: 25 mm (1 in)
- Nominal Horizontal Coverage: 90°
- Nominal Vertical Coverage: 40°
- Cutoff Frequency: 1 kHz
- Material: Cast Aluminium
Dimensions
- Dimensions: 310 x 140 x 124 mm (12.2 x 5.6 x 4.9 in)
- Baffle Cutout Dimension: 260 mm (10.2 in)
- Air Volume Occupied by Driver: 0.26 dm³ (0.01 ft³)
Mounting and Shipping Information
- Net Weight: 0.86 kg (1.9 lb)
- Shipping Units: 1 Piece
- Shipping Weight: 0.96 kg (2.12 lb)
- Shipping Box Dimensions: 320 x 150 x 125 mm (12.60 x 5.91 x 4.92 in)
Conclusion
The B&C ME45 is a high-performance 1-inch cast aluminium horn designed for professional sound reinforcement applications that demand precise coverage control, excellent efficiency, and long-term reliability. Featuring a controlled 90° x 40° dispersion pattern, low 1 kHz cutoff frequency, durable construction, and compatibility with standard 1-inch compression drivers, the horn delivers exceptional versatility across a broad range of loudspeaker designs. Whether used in live sound systems, installed audio environments, theaters, auditoriums, or custom speaker projects, the B&C ME45 provides the acoustic performance and reliability expected from professional B&C components.
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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.
