Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Ribbon

Ribbon

A ribbon tweeter is a type of high-frequency transducer used in loudspeakers to reproduce the treble and upper midrange frequencies. It is called a "ribbon" tweeter because its diaphragm is typically a thin, narrow strip of metal foil or film that resembles a ribbon. The ribbon diaphragm is suspended in a magnetic field, and when an electrical current passes through it, it vibrates back and forth to produce sound. This design comes with several advantages:

• Lightweight

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Radiation Pattern

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...

Xmax (Thiele/Small Parameter)

Xmax refers to the maximum distance the diaphragm can move from its resting position in a linear manner without causing undesirable effects such as distortion or damage to the loudspeaker. Excursion of the diaphragm is crucial determinant of a driver's performance, as it determines its ability to reproduce low-frequency sounds with sufficient volume and accuracy. Xmax is typically specified in millimeters (mm) and is measured as the peak-to-peak distance...

Coloration

Coloration refers to the alteration or distortion of the sound produced by a speaker system, resulting in a deviation from the original audio signal. It is characterized by an emphasis or de-emphasis of certain frequencies or frequency ranges, which can lead to an unnatural or colored sound reproduction. Coloration can be caused by various factors, including resonances, frequency response irregularities, phase issues, and nonlinear distortion. To minimize or eliminate coloration...

Faraday Ring

The Faraday ring, named after the English scientist Michael Faraday, is an electromagnetic component used in loudspeakers and other audio systems. It serves to minimize electromagnetic interference and distortion caused by eddy currents induced in the voice coil and pole piece of a loudspeaker driver. Faraday rings are typically made of conductive materials, such as copper or aluminum, and are placed around the pole piece of a loudspeaker driver.

When an alternating...

Pistonic Behavior

Pistonic behavior in a loudspeaker refers to the ideal movement of the driver's diaphragm, where it moves in a piston-like manner. In other words, when the speaker reproduces sound, its diaphragm moves uniformly and maintains a constant relationship between the applied input signal and the resulting sound output. This behavior is crucial for accurate and faithful sound reproduction.

Characteristics of Pistonic Behavior:

• Linear Motion: In pistonic behavior,

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Noise

In the context of loudspeaker measurements made during the design process, noise refers to any unwanted electrical or acoustic signals that can interfere with the accuracy of the measurement. Noise can be introduced through various sources, and it can affect the reliability and precision of the measurements, making it essential to minimize its impact for accurate loudspeaker evaluation. Sources of noise include:

• Background Acoustic Noise: During loudspeaker measurements, ambient

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Off-axis

"Off-axis" refers to any direction away from the central axis of a loudspeaker's radiation pattern. In other words, it describes the sound field and behavior of a loudspeaker when the listener is not directly positioned in front of the speaker at its primary listening axis. When a listener moves to the side, above, or below the central axis of the loudspeaker, they are in the off-axis listening position. Off-axis response is an essential consideration in loudspeaker...

Planar Magnetic Transducers

A planar magnetic transducer, also known as a planar driver, is a type of loudspeaker driver that uses a thin and lightweight diaphragm with an embedded conductive coil to produce sound. It operates based on the principles of magnetic induction. A planar driver consists of the below:

• Diaphragm: The diaphragm of a planar magnetic driver is a thin, flat, and often rectangular or circular membrane made from a lightweight material such as mylar or a thin metal

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Xmech (Thiele/Small Parameter)

Xmech represents the maximum physical distance the diaphragm or cone can move before it encounters mechanical limitations. Exceeding the mechanical excursion limit can lead to high levels of distortion, increased nonlinearity, and potential physical damage to the driver. The mechanical excursion capability is a critical parameter for loudspeaker design as it directly affects the loudspeaker's ability to handle high power and reproduce low-frequency signals...