Preface
I started this article with the intention of offering a guide to DIYers, mostly those new to the field, that defines and explains the terminology you often see in discussions on the topic of DIY loudspeakers. Now, I have plenty of learning to do myself, and am under no illusion that what I do know is complete and correct. Because of this, I want these articles to be living documents. By that I mean, I'd like the DIY community to offer input on each definition to expand and clarify...
Articles about DIY Audio
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Exploring Common DIY Terminology (work in progress)
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:01 Monday
- 200 views
- 1 comment
Exploring Common DIY Terminology (work in progress)
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Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Fs
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 16 views
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Fs
Fs (Thiele/Small Parameter)
The Thiele/Small parameter "Fs" refers to the resonant frequency of the loudspeaker driver. Fs stands for "Free-air resonance" or "System resonance." It is a crucial parameter that characterizes the natural frequency at which a driver's diaphragm vibrates with maximum efficiency when operating in free air, without any enclosure or load. This resonant frequency is determined by the combined effects of the mass of the driver's... -
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Qts
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 10 views
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Qts
Qts (Thiele/Small Parameter)
Qts (Total Q-factor) is a significant parameter in loudspeaker design that characterizes the overall damping of the loudspeaker driver. It is derived from the combination of two other Thiele/Small parameters: Qes (Electrical Q-factor) and Qms (Mechanical Q-factor). Qts provides important insights into the loudspeaker's frequency response, impedance behavior, and overall system performance. Total Q has several implications on loudspeaker design:- Frequency
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Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Damping Factor
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 1 view
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Damping Factor
Damping Factor
The damping factor is a measure of the amplifier's ability to control the movement of a loudspeaker's voice coil and bring it to a stop after the audio signal has stopped. It quantifies an amplifier's ability to provide an electrical damping effect on the speaker. Mathematically, the damping factor is defined as the ratio of the loudspeaker's nominal impedance (typically 4 or 8 ohms) to the output impedance of the amplifier. It is usually expressed as a number, such as... -
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Gap Height
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 7 views
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Gap Height
Gap Height
Gap height refers to the vertical dimension of the air gap between the magnetic pole piece and the voice coil. It is a critical parameter that affects the performance and characteristics of the loudspeaker driver. The gap height has a direct impact on several aspects of the loudspeaker driver's operation:- Voice Coil Clearance: The gap height determines the clearance or distance between the voice coil and the pole piece. Sufficient clearance is essential to prevent any physical
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Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Underhung Voice Coil
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 6 views
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Underhung Voice Coil
Underhung Voice Coil
An underhung driver is a type of design where the voice coil's winding height is shorter than the height of the magnetic gap in which it operates. In other words, the coil does not extend fully through the magnetic gap, and it remains "underhung" within the magnetic structure. In a standard loudspeaker driver, the voice coil is wound on a cylindrical former and moves within the magnetic gap, which is a cylindrical space between the pole piece and the magnetic... -
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Compression Driver
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 1 view
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Compression Driver
Compression Driver
A compression driver is a type of loudspeaker driver used primarily in high-frequency reproduction. It is commonly found in professional audio applications, such as PA (Public Address) systems, studio monitors, and high-end home audio speakers. The compression driver is designed to handle the high frequencies efficiently and deliver them with clarity and power. A compression driver consists of several key components:- Diaphragm: The diaphragm in a compression driver
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Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Soundstage
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 16 views
- 1 comment
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Soundstage
Soundstage
Soundstage refers to the perceived spatial placement and localization of sound sources in a recording. It describes the three-dimensional presentation of audio, making it seem as if the sound is originating from specific locations within the listening environment, rather than coming directly from the loudspeakers. When a recording and playback system is capable of creating a convincing soundstage, listeners can experience a more immersive and realistic audio experience. The... -
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Cms
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 15 views
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Cms
Cms (Thiele/Small Parameter)
Cms refers to the mechanical compliance of a driver's suspension system. Cms represents the stiffness or flexibility of the driver's surround and spider, which are responsible for centering and controlling the motion of the driver's diaphragm. It quantifies the ability of the suspension to move in response to changes in force.
The compliance of the suspension affects the resonant frequency, low-frequency response, and overall behavior of the... -
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Re
- Created by: technodanvan
- Published: 31 July 2023, 16:00 Monday
- 6 views
- 0 comments
Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Re
Re (Thiele/Small Parameter)
Re refers to the DC resistance of the driver. It represents the electrical resistance encountered by the audio signal as it passes through the voice coil. This has important implications in loudspeaker design:- Power handling: Re affects the power handling capabilities of the loudspeaker. As the audio signal passes through the voice coil, it encounters electrical resistance, causing a voltage drop and generating heat. A lower resistance value (lower Re)
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Latest Articles
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by technodanvanSuspension
The suspension refers to the mechanical system that provides support and control for the diaphragm (cone/dome) and voice coil within the driver's magnetic structure. The suspension is an important component that allows the diaphragm to move back and forth in response to the electrical audio signal while maintaining stability and linearity. The suspension system typically consists of two key components: the spider and the surround.- Spider: The spider, also known as the "speaker
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Channel: Terminology
26 July 2023, 09:28 Wednesday -
by technodanvanSurround
In the context of loudspeaker drivers, the surround, also known as the "speaker surround" or "suspension surround," is a component that plays an important role in the driver's suspension system. The surround is typically a flexible ring or membrane that connects the outer edge of the loudspeaker diaphragm (cone/dome) to the driver's frame (basket). The primary function of the surround is to provide a compliant and flexible suspension for the diaphragm, allowing...-
Channel: Terminology
26 July 2023, 09:17 Wednesday -
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by technodanvanSpider
In the context of loudspeaker drivers, the spider refers to a component that plays an important role in the suspension system of the driver. The spider is an essential part of the driver's overall mechanical structure, helping to center and control the movement of the voice coil and diaphragm within the magnetic gap. The spider is typically located between the voice coil and the frame (basket) of the loudspeaker driver. It is made of a flexible material, such as cloth or treated...-
Channel: Terminology
26 July 2023, 09:06 Wednesday -
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by technodanvanSoundstage
Soundstage refers to the perceived spatial placement and localization of sound sources in a recording. It describes the three-dimensional presentation of audio, making it seem as if the sound is originating from specific locations within the listening environment, rather than coming directly from the loudspeakers. When a recording and playback system is capable of creating a convincing soundstage, listeners can experience a more immersive and realistic audio experience. The...-
Channel: Terminology
26 July 2023, 08:58 Wednesday -
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by technodanvanSINAD (Signal to Noise and Distortion ratio)
While not directly applicable to loudspeaker design, SINAD is a term in common use and is a valuable tool when comparing electronic equipment to match with your speakers. It can also be used when deciding what equipment you'd like to use for your measurement setup. SINAD stands for "Signal-to-Noise and Distortion ratio." It is a metric used to quantify the audio quality of electronic devices, particularly audio equipment like amplifiers...-
Channel: Terminology
26 July 2023, 08:41 Wednesday -
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by technodanvanSignal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is an important parameter that helps evaluate the performance and quality of the audio output. In the context of audio, SNR refers specifically to the ratio of the desired audio signal (the sound produced by the loudspeaker driver) to the background noise generated by the speaker itself or the overall system.
The formula to calculate SNR in decibels is:...
SNR (dB) = 10⋅log10(PowerSignal/PowerNoise)-
Channel: Terminology
25 July 2023, 16:20 Tuesday -