LOUDSPEAKER ENCLOSURES AND DRIVERS THEORY AND DESIGN 5TH EDITION
Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
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Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
LOUDSPEAKER ENCLOSURES AND DRIVERS THEORY AND DESIGN 5TH EDITION 2025
Jesús Losada Prieto
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Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
Original edition title: “Cajas acústicas y altavoces - Teoría y diseño - 5.ª edición”. Translation: Jesús Losada Prieto, December 2025.
Safe Creative Registration 2511133684480, November 2025, Jesús Losada Prieto. https://www.safecreative.org/work/
This work is published under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ You are free to use, share, copy, and redistribute this work under the following terms: ▪ BY - Attribution: You must cite the author's name and the title of the book. ▪ NC - Non-Commercial: You may not use the material for commercial purposes. ▪ ND - No Derivatives: This PDF may not be modified.
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Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
1st Edition - May 2012 Published on www.slideshare.net (4,680 views).
2nd Edition - September 2017 Published on www.slideshare.net (2,010 views).
3rd Edition - January 2019 Published on www.slideshare.net and www.academia.edu (more than 4,000 views).
4th Edition - February 2021 Published on www.academia.edu (more than 21,000 views).
5th Edition - November 2025 To be published on www.academia.edu in November 2025.
Covers of the previous editions.
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Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
NOTE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION
This version is the author’s own translation of the original Spanish edition published on https://www.academia.edu/ in November 2025 under the title: Cajas acústicas y altavoces - Teoría y diseño - 5.ª edición. Every effort has been made to ensure that the English translation remains as faithful as possible to the original work. However, due to the inherent complexity of translating a highly specialized and technical text, such as electroacoustic engineering applied to loudspeaker design, in some parts of the text, online translation tools and AI assistance have been employed. Consequently, certain expressions or concepts may not be as clear or precise as intended; in such cases, consulting the original Spanish version is recommended. Units have been kept in the International System (SI), with no conversion to imperial units.
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Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
CONTENTS
Prologue……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
9
Basic Concepts…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
11
Electronics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
11
Acoustics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
19
Loudspeaker Drivers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
23
Sealed Loudspeaker Enclosures…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
37
Bass-Reflex Enclosures……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
43
Classical Method……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
43
Simplified Method…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
54
Passive Crossovers………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
57
Diffraction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
73
Materials………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
75
Loudspeaker Placement……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
79
Final System Evaluation…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
84
Examples……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
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Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
93
Software……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
95
Manufacturers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
97
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Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
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Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
PROLOGUE
This handbook began originally as a personal working guide in which I gathered the fundamental formulas and basic concepts required for designing and building loudspeaker enclosures. Over time, and after four published editions, I have gradually expanded and refined its content, always striving to maintain proper technical rigor together with a clear and organized presentation that facilitates consultation. The text is aimed primarily at enthusiasts interested in designing and building their own loudspeaker enclosures. However, due to the large number of essential concepts condensed within its pages, it can also serve as a reference work for audio professionals or students of the subject. Thanks to its synoptic structure and concise writing style, it allows quick access to theoretical data and the most commonly used formulas. I have chosen to present only the final results of the equations, omitting intermediate mathematical developments, in order to focus attention on the practical aspects of design. Given the predominantly applied nature of this work, I limit myself to addressing the elements I consider essential for successfully undertaking simple yet rewarding projects. Regarding loudspeaker drivers, I confine the discussion to moving-coil dynamic transducers; and as for enclosures, I deal exclusively with the two most representative types: sealed boxes and bass-reflex enclosures. Those of us who enjoy high-fidelity audio know well that the loudspeaker–listening-room pairing is the factor that most strongly determines the final character of sound reproduction. Therefore, without proper attention to this fundamental aspect, it is difficult to achieve a truly satisfying listening experience, regardless of the level of investment in amplifiers or source components. I have structured the manual into twelve chapters. I begin with an overview of the basic concepts and equations of electronics and acoustics, which form the foundation for everything that follows. I then examine the main parameters and components of moving-coil dynamic drivers. The next chapters are dedicated to the analysis of the two enclosure types mentioned above: first, sealed boxes (which are often unjustly underestimated), and then bass-reflex enclosures, valued for their performance at low frequencies. Subsequently, I present a selection of two-way and three-way parallel passive crossovers, followed by a section devoted to diffraction effects. The following chapters include recommendations on suitable materials and electronic components for constructing enclosures, as well as guidelines for 9
Loudspeaker Enclosures and Drivers
Jesús Losada Prieto
optimal loudspeaker placement in a domestic listening room. Finally, the book includes practical examples, a bibliographic compilation, references to computer-aided design software, and updated lists of loudspeaker driver and passive-component manufacturers, together with links to their official websites. Since childhood I have been deeply fascinated by the world of sound and loudspeakers. I spent countless hours carrying out small experiments, whether with transducers or electronic circuits, driven by curiosity to improve sound quality or simply by the pleasure of discovering the results I could achieve. That same passion is what originated and sustained this work. Lastly, I wish to note that this fifth edition is published entirely free of charge and in PDF digital format, with the aim of making it readily accessible to anyone interested in applied acoustics and of encouraging personal learning and experimentation in this fascinating field. All contents, including images, tables, and diagrams, are my own work. I grant permission to use and share this work freely provided that the following three conditions are met: ▪ ▪ ▪
Credit must be given to the author, citing name and title. The work may not be modified. Commercial use is prohibited.
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