The radiation pattern, also known as the directivity pattern, is a graphical representation of how sound radiates into space. It shows the distribution of sound as a function of direction and is typically presented in polar coordinates. In the context of loudspeakers, the radiation pattern describes how the sound is dispersed from the speaker in different directions. It is important for understanding how a loudspeaker interacts with its environment and how the sound is distributed in a listening space. Different loudspeaker designs and configurations can have different radiation patterns, which influence the directivity and coverage of sound. There are several common radiation patterns and characteristics to look for in loudspeakers:
- Omnidirectional: An omnidirectional radiation pattern means that the loudspeaker radiates sound equally in all directions. Omnidirectional speakers distribute sound uniformly throughout the entire 360 degrees around the speaker's axis.
- Directional: A directional radiation pattern means that the loudspeaker concentrates sound in specific directions while reducing sound output in other directions. Directional speakers have focused coverage, which can be advantageous in certain applications, such as sound reinforcement in large venues.
- Asymmetrical: Some loudspeakers have asymmetrical radiation patterns, where the sound output is not uniform in all directions. Asymmetrical radiation patterns are often found in line array speakers and are used to create specific coverage patterns.
- Beamwidth: The beamwidth of a radiation pattern indicates the angular span over which the sound level remains within a specified range (e.g., -6 dB). A narrow beamwidth means a more focused, directional sound, while a wide beamwidth means a more diffuse sound.
- Off-Axis Response: The off-axis response refers to how the loudspeaker's sound level changes as you move away from the central axis of the radiation pattern. Some loudspeakers have more consistent off-axis responses, while others may experience variations in sound quality and tonal balance.
- Lobing: Lobing occurs when there are peaks and nulls in the radiation pattern, causing uneven sound coverage. Lobing is often associated with multi-driver loudspeaker arrays or poorly designed systems.
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