DATS V3 Updated Audio Measurement Tool for Speaker Designers and Audio Engineers

After a decade of widespread use, the Dayton Audio Test System (DATS) has acquired an impressive reputation for fast and accurate testing. A must have tool for the speaker builder and a very valuable tool for anyone who regularly works with audio equipment, Dayton Audio has taken the easy-to-use audio test system and improved it in almost every way when creating the DATS V3 Computer Based Audio Component Test System. 
 
When designing speakers, accurate parameters are a requirement for great success. The DATS V3 is a Windows PC hardware/software package that gives speaker designers the ability to take accurate impedance response measurements quickly and easily. For raw drivers, the DATS V3 can derive the Thiele-Small parameters in a matter of seconds. In addition, the impedance response graph allows users to identify unwanted resonances and other anomalies that might be causing issues.

Users loved DATS V2 and the improved DATS V3 is even better. The newest generation of the test system is housed in an aluminum enclosure with both the test leads and USB cable that are detachable/replaceable. The calibration resistor (0.1% accuracy) is now integrated into the V3 front panel with convenient turret terminals for connecting the test leads. No more searching for or fiddling with a separate calibration resistor. This helps assure that the system is always accurately calibrated even for those “quick look” measurements.

A new feature for the DATS is the linearity test. With the increased output capability, the DATS V3 can begin to see changes in parameters with drive level. This new test automatically performs multiple sweeps of the driver at increasing (or decreasing) levels while saving each test result to memory. After the data is collected, users can compare the results by recalling and comparing impedance plots and parameters.
 
For finished speaker systems, the impedance response measurement allows to compare the actual impedance response to the predicted impedance. This comparison makes it easy to see if the crossover and enclosure are performing as expected. Impedance comparison measurements can also be used to compare similar systems to detect component failures.
 
The DATS V3 also accurately measures the value of resistors, inductors (inductance and DC resistance simultaneously), and capacitors (capacitance, ESR, DF, Q, and loss angle measured at three different frequencies with one click). 
Other features make the DATS V3 more than just a parameter measurement system. The Rub and Buzz test allows quick comparisons of many drivers to a reference standard to identify possible defects quickly and effortlessly. Users just need to set the Fs/impedance tolerances (or accept the defaults), measure the reference driver and then DATS V3 will be ready to compare other drivers in an instant by displaying "Pass" or "Fail" along with the amount of deviation. Each subsequent driver and parameters are saved into memories for review.
 
The DATS V3 also functions as a low-distortion signal generator. In addition to sine waves, the generator can also generate square, triangle, saw tooth and impulse waveforms as well as pink noise and white noise. The DATS V3 also includes an oscilloscope to monitor the output signal. It's now possible to see the audio waveform with amplitude on the vertical scale versus time on the horizontal scale.

Dayton Audio products can be purchased through authorized resellers including Parts Express (parts-express.com).
www.daytonaudio.com