Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Midrange

Midrange

A midrange driver is a loudspeaker driver designed to reproduce midrange frequencies in an audio system. It is responsible for bridging the gap of frequencies between the bass and treble ranges, typically from around 300 Hz to 2000 Hz, depending on the specific design, tweeter and woofer choice, and crossover points.

Design criteria for midrange drivers:

• Frequency Range: Midrange drivers are designed to cover the midrange frequency band with clarity and accuracy.

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Resonance

Resonance refers to a phenomenon where an object or system vibrates with a significantly increased amplitude at a specific frequency when exposed to an external force or energy. This frequency at which the object or system vibrates most strongly is known as the resonant frequency. In loudspeakers, resonances can occur in various components and aspects of the system:

• Diaphragm Resonance: The diaphragm of a loudspeaker driver (cone or dome) can have natural resonances due

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Flux Modulation

Flux modulation, also known as magnetic flux modulation or magnetic field modulation, is a technique used in loudspeaker design to control and manipulate the magnetic field strength within a driver's magnetic circuit. It involves intentionally varying the magnetic flux density in a controlled manner to achieve specific performance characteristics and improve the overall sound quality. The process of flux modulation typically involves the application of an additional...

Le (Thiele/Small Parameter)

Le refers to the voice coil inductance of a loudspeaker driver. It is an electrical property that plays a significant role in the driver's performance and behavior. The voice coil is a wire wound around a hollow cylinder called the former and is attached to the loudspeaker's diaphragm or cone. When an audio signal is passed through the voice coil, it interacts with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet or electromagnet surrounding the voice...

Coaxial Driver

A coaxial driver is a type of speaker driver that incorporates two or more drivers mounted concentrically within a single chassis. It typically consists of a tweeter mounted at the center of a larger driver, such as a woofer or mid-range driver. The coaxial design aims to provide improved integration and coherence between the different frequency ranges, resulting in more accurate and coherent sound reproduction.

Advantages of coaxial driver design:

• Point

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Excursion

Excursion refers to the movement of the speaker's diaphragm or cone. It represents the maximum distance the diaphragm can travel back and forth from its resting position when driven by an electrical signal. Excursion is typically measured in millimeters and is an important specification in loudspeaker design. It determines the maximum displacement capability of the diaphragm, which directly affects the loudspeaker's ability to reproduce low-frequency content accurately and...

Phase Plug

A phase plug is a stationary structure placed at the center of the loudspeaker driver's diaphragm, just in front of the voice coil. It is typically a cylindrical or conical-shaped object made of materials like plastic, metal, or wood. The phase plug's design may vary depending on the specific driver and its intended application. Its primary purpose is to improve the driver's performance by addressing issues related to phase cancellation and dispersion. The function of the...

Magnetic Shielding

Magnetic shielding is a technique used in loudspeaker design to prevent the magnetic field generated by the driver's magnet from interfering with nearby electronic devices, particularly CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) displays. When a loudspeaker's magnet is positioned close to a CRT screen, it can distort the image by deflecting the electron beams in the CRT, causing color shifts and geometric distortions. The concept of magnetic shielding was developed to address this issue...

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...