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Loudspeaker compression-driver phase-plug design

Loudspeaker compression-driver phase-plug design
Loudspeaker compression-driver phase-plug design
This thesis is concerned with the linear acoustical performance of compression-driver loudspeakers. The general principles of operation of electromagnetic loudspeakers are thoroughly introduced and a number of acoustical analysis methods are then presented that form the basis for modern loudspeaker behavioural simulation. The acoustical behaviour of the compression-driver phase plug and compression cavity is discussed and targets are determined for the ideal behaviour. The Smith guidelines for the design of annular-channel compression drivers are outlined. It is demonstrated that, for realistic geometries, the Smith guidelines do not lead to optimum performance. A new channel-positioning method is outlined that is based on a more realistic representation of the compression driver.

This approach is further developed into a general channel-positioning methodology that may be applied using numerical techniques to compression drivers of arbitrary geometry. It is shown that the performance of a compression driver may be improved by careful shaping of the compression cavity. A number of methods for designing optimally shaped compression cavities are described. A Smith-type approach to the design of radial-channel compression drivers is outlined, including methods specifically intended to ease the manufacture of such devices. A prototype driver using one of these methods is described and measurements of the performance of this prototype are compared with predictions of the driver performance. The behaviour of compression drivers with non-rigid radiating diaphragms is considered.

It is shown that, if the mechanical diaphragm modes and acoustical cavity modes meet a certain condition, then the diaphragm non-rigidity is not a factor that limits the linear driver response. An attempt is made to find geometries that meet this condition.
Oclee-Brown, Jack
5c47d704-4ed0-493b-84b1-27e60d5d7065
Oclee-Brown, Jack
5c47d704-4ed0-493b-84b1-27e60d5d7065
Nelson, P.A.
5c6f5cc9-ea52-4fe2-9edf-05d696b0c1a9
Holland, K.R.
90dd842b-e3c8-45bb-865e-3e7da77ec703

Oclee-Brown, Jack (2012) Loudspeaker compression-driver phase-plug design. University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, Doctoral Thesis, 393pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the linear acoustical performance of compression-driver loudspeakers. The general principles of operation of electromagnetic loudspeakers are thoroughly introduced and a number of acoustical analysis methods are then presented that form the basis for modern loudspeaker behavioural simulation. The acoustical behaviour of the compression-driver phase plug and compression cavity is discussed and targets are determined for the ideal behaviour. The Smith guidelines for the design of annular-channel compression drivers are outlined. It is demonstrated that, for realistic geometries, the Smith guidelines do not lead to optimum performance. A new channel-positioning method is outlined that is based on a more realistic representation of the compression driver.

This approach is further developed into a general channel-positioning methodology that may be applied using numerical techniques to compression drivers of arbitrary geometry. It is shown that the performance of a compression driver may be improved by careful shaping of the compression cavity. A number of methods for designing optimally shaped compression cavities are described. A Smith-type approach to the design of radial-channel compression drivers is outlined, including methods specifically intended to ease the manufacture of such devices. A prototype driver using one of these methods is described and measurements of the performance of this prototype are compared with predictions of the driver performance. The behaviour of compression drivers with non-rigid radiating diaphragms is considered.

It is shown that, if the mechanical diaphragm modes and acoustical cavity modes meet a certain condition, then the diaphragm non-rigidity is not a factor that limits the linear driver response. An attempt is made to find geometries that meet this condition.

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More information

Published date: November 2012
Organisations: University of Southampton, Inst. Sound & Vibration Research

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 348798
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/348798
PURE UUID: c767ad0e-5389-4c66-9f61-63aca2af2075
ORCID for P.A. Nelson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9563-3235
ORCID for K.R. Holland: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7439-2375

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 28 Feb 2013 15:32
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:32

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Contributors

Author: Jack Oclee-Brown
Thesis advisor: P.A. Nelson ORCID iD
Thesis advisor: K.R. Holland ORCID iD

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