Learning Objectives z z z
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Describe how speakers produce sound Discuss the impact of room size and acoustical conditions Summarize new speaker technologies and the current types of speakers Integrate speakers into various dĂŠcor Recall speaker positioning and coverage for multiple speakers Explain sub-woofers and their function Explain the different types of headphones and their respective functions Define the value of identifying and working with an Electronic Systems Contractor
Residential Speaker Solutions
How Do Speakers Produce Sound?
• Goal: get rid of the rear (-) pressure wave to hear lower frequencies, prevent cancellation, p audio level efficiency y and improve • Specialized types of speakers are designated for different frequency ranges: tweeters tweeters, mid-range mid-range, and woofers.
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REAR PRESSU URE WAVE
• Speakers are mounted to a “baffle”, usually the front wall of an enclosure, wall, or ceiling surface
ENCLOSURE
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FRONT PRESSURE WAVE
• A speaker is a “linear linear motor” motor • Cone or diaphragm vibrates back and forth creating two pressure waves of sound 9 front f t (+) 9 back (-)
ENCLOSURE
Photo courtesy of Commercial Electronics, Ltd
Residential Speaker Solutions
Quality Sound Production Factors: F t • Quality of sound source • Amplification • Quality & size of speakers • Directional characteristics of speakers • Room R acoustical i l environmental conditions Residential Speaker Solutions
Acoustical Conditions and Room Size Reproducing music accurately to its origins depends on: • • • • •
Speaker S k design d i quality, lit relative l ti tto it its qualitative lit ti purpose and room size application How and where speakers are placed in a room relative to listeners (or “audio coverage”) How a speaker “loads” into the room acoustics How the room responds to the speaker’s speaker s frequency spectrum If the total sound field reproduced is balanced and acceptable, t bl offering ff i a pleasurable l bl musical i l experience i
Residential Speaker Solutions