Exploring Common DIY Terminology - Cone

Cone

The cone of a loudspeaker driver refers to the diaphragm or membrane that moves air to produce sound. A cone is distinguished from a dome in that it is almost always a concave shape. It is a crucial component responsible for converting electrical signals into mechanical vibrations, resulting in the creation of sound waves. The cone typically consists of several layers and materials, each serving a specific purpose.

1. Cone Material:
   1. Paper: Paper cones have been widely used in

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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...

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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Cabinet Resonances

Cabinet resonances refer to the unwanted vibrations and resonant modes that occur within the enclosure or cabinet of a loudspeaker. These resonances can negatively impact the overall sound quality by introducing coloration, distortion, and uneven frequency response. Cabinet resonances can arise from various factors, including the materials used, the cabinet's construction, and the internal air volume. To reduce cabinet resonances, loudspeaker designers employ several...

Cancellation

Cancellation refers to the phenomenon where sound waves from a loudspeaker system interfere with each other, resulting in a reduction of certain frequencies. This interference can occur due to several factors, including phase differences and spatial relationships between sound sources.

One common type of cancellation is known as phase cancellation. Phase cancellation happens when two sound waves of equal frequency and amplitude, but with opposite phase (180...

Air Gap

Also simply referred to as "the gap," an air gap refers to the physical space between the voice coil and the magnet assembly within the driver. The air gap is an important feature of a driver's motor system and plays a crucial role in its operation. Here's how the air gap functions and its importance:

• Magnetic field generation: The air gap forms the core of the magnetic circuit in a loudspeaker driver. It helps create a uniform and concentrated magnetic field within

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Beaming

Beaming refers to a phenomenon where the dispersion pattern of sound waves becomes narrower and more focused at higher frequencies. The primary cause of beaming is the physical size or dimensions of the sound source relative to the wavelength of the sound being produced. When the wavelength becomes comparable to or smaller than the size of the source, the sound waves tend to exhibit more directional behavior. Beaming occurs due to the following factors:

• Aperture effect: The

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Acoustic Lens

An acoustic lens refers to a device or structure designed to manipulate the direction, dispersion, or focusing of sound waves. The term is inspired by the concept of optical lenses used in optics to manipulate light. The primary purpose of an acoustic lens is to modify the propagation characteristics of sound waves, enabling control over their distribution and spatial behavior. Acoustic lenses can be implemented in various forms, including physical structures, signal processing...

Alnico (magnet)

An alnico magnet is a type of permanent magnet known for its strong magnetic properties and high-temperature stability. The name "alnico" is derived from its components: aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co). Alnico magnets were first developed in the 1930s and have been widely used in various applications, including loudspeakers, guitar pickups, sensors, and industrial machinery. Key characteristics and features of alnico magnets include:

1. Magnetic

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Qms (Thiele/Small Parameter)

Qms (Mechanical Q-factor) is a parameter used in loudspeaker design to quantify the mechanical losses within the driver's moving system, which includes the diaphragm, voice coil, and suspension components. It provides insights into the damping characteristics and mechanical performance of the driver. The following are areas that are directly impacted by Qms:

• Damping and transient response: Qms is an indicator of the mechanical damping within the driver.

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Qes (Thiele/Small Parameter)

Qes (Electrical Q-factor) is a parameter used in loudspeaker design to quantify the electrical losses within the driver's voice coil and magnetic circuit. It provides insights into the efficiency and electrical characteristics of the loudspeaker. Qes is an important parameter and carries the following implications:

• Efficiency: Qes is an indicator of the driver's electrical efficiency. It represents the ratio of electrical energy stored in the voice coil

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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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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:

1. Frequency

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Mms (Thiele/Small Parameter)

Mms is a Thiele/Small parameter that quantifies the mass of the loudspeaker's diaphragm and other associated components that move during the reproduction of sound. The moving mass of a loudspeaker is an important parameter that affects its overall performance in several ways:

• Resonant frequency: Mms is a key factor in determining the loudspeaker's resonant frequency (Fs). The relationship between Mms and Fs is governed by the equation Fs = 1/(2π√(Cms*Mms)),

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EBP (Effective Bandwidth Product)

EBP is a parameter used in loudspeaker design to evaluate the relationship between a loudspeaker driver's efficiency and its low-frequency extension. It provides insight into the suitability of a particular driver for different applications, particularly in determining whether it is better suited for vented (bass reflex) enclosures or sealed enclosures. To calculate the EBP value, you divide the driver's free-air resonance frequency (Fs) by its Qts...