Acoustic Speaker Components and Sound Characteristics
Acoustic Speaker Components and Their Differences
A speaker transforms an electrical signal into acoustic energy, while the enclosure of the acoustic speaker is formed by the speaker itself and the crossover of frequencies.
Elements That Make Up a Speaker
- Electromagnetic Element: This is the moving coil formed by a permanent magnet. The moving coil is connected to the vertex of a cone or diaphragm and is located within the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet. The whole assembly of the magnet and the moving coil is called the “engine” of the speaker.
- Mechanical Element: This consists of the cone, the dust cap, and the suspension. The cone cannot move laterally; it is held in place at the vertex by the centering device or spider, a piece of rigid fabric with elasticity that prevents lateral movement but allows for vertical movement. Rubber is often used in high-end speakers that require large voice coil displacements and have high elasticity, especially in woofers. The dust cap prevents dust from accumulating over time, which could cause damage.
- Support and Connection Elements: These are constituted by the frame, typically made of a very thin sheet of metal whose mechanical rigidity is increased by reinforcing ribs. The purpose of the frame is to serve as a support for all the speaker parts.
- Acoustic Element: This is the system that transmits the energy developed by the mechanical elements to the listener.
How Does the Diameter of the Cone Influence the Speaker’s Dispersion Angle?
The diameter of the cone influences the dispersion angle of the speaker.
Which Type of Speakers Are More Directional?
Speakers that reproduce mid and high frequencies are more directional.
Which Type of Speakers Are More Omnidirectional?
Speakers that reproduce low frequencies are more omnidirectional.
When Does the Speaker Cone Require More Displacement?
It requires more displacement when it has to reproduce low frequencies.
Factors That Determine the Impedance of a Speaker
The impedance of a speaker depends on the type of speaker and its construction.
What Is Resonance Frequency and What Factors Affect It?
The resonance frequency of a speaker is the characteristic vibration frequency of the mechanical elements, which are the diaphragm, the voice coil, and the suspension elements. The resonance frequency indicates the point where the speaker becomes inoperative for frequencies below resonance. The factors that affect it are the rigidity, the diameter, and the suspension of the diaphragm.
Definition of Frequency Response of a Speaker and How It Is Obtained
The frequency response of a speaker is one of the most important pieces of data provided by the manufacturer. It indicates the sound intensity provided by the speaker for each of the frequencies that make up the audio spectrum. The frequency response of a speaker is obtained by means of a chart where the values of the frequencies that we apply to the speaker are represented, and at these points, we obtain the response curve of the speaker for the different frequencies applied.
Definition of Sensitivity of a Speaker
The sensitivity of a speaker indicates the efficiency with which it converts the electrical signal it receives into radiated acoustic energy.
Definition of Performance of a Speaker
The performance of a speaker indicates the ratio between the sound power delivered at the speaker’s output and the power supplied at its input for each watt applied, expressed as a percentage.
What Is Modulation Distortion?
Modulation distortion occurs when a low-frequency tone, which causes a large displacement of the cone, has to be reproduced simultaneously with a high-frequency tone, which causes a small displacement. This results in the distortion of the high-frequency wave’s peaks. This effect is noticeable, and the sound will have an unpleasant harshness.