The Secret Life of Loudspeaker Flex Wire

This valuable tutorial on speaker lead-out flex wire by Mike Klasco revisits the fundamentals, from the trailing ends of the voice coil winding to speaker terminals. How to avoid flex wire whipping, fracturing of lead-out conductors, thermal issues, and corrosion of the solder joints. What types of flex wire and wire gauges are available, what are the advantages of textile fibers and wire testing, are some of the topics addressed. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, April 2024.

Estron, the Danish manufacturer of high-quality wire, cable, and miniaturized connector solutions, showcased the company's newest solutions for hearing aids and audiology at the recent EUHA 2023 congress in Nuremberg, Germany. Making its debut was es-Hear, a complete off-the-shelf plug cable and RIC (Receiver-in-Canal) solution using a plug-and-play micro connection. And Estron showcased its latest multipole micro connector that supports its patent pending 8 conductor solution.

As part of their continued customer-focused approach - inspired by Lucid Hearing - Westone Audio has launched what it states to be one of the industry's most technologically advanced universal fit earphones available on the market today. The new Westone Audio Mach Series universal fit in-earphones were developed using the over 35 years of engineering and performance experience previously used only for professional, stage-grade, custom in-ear monitors.

The April 2021 edition of Voice Coil is now available and combines a wide range of topics for loudspeaker industry professionals. Starting with "Practical Considerations for Quality Control Testing of Loudspeakers," to an overview of innovations in wires and connectors, and a directory of cable and connector vendors. And, Vance Dickason looks at two compression drivers matched with factory-supplied horns - the ND1TP from Eighteen Sound and the CD-11Nd from Acustica Beyma. Now available in print and digital.

Estron introduced the new T2 Socket DS (Dual Spring), bringing its established T2 Connector System up in a league of its own with the potential to be a new standard 2 pole earphone connector system with an IP67 rating. While the entire T2 Connector System focuses on ease of use and to minimize wear on the connector system, the new T2 Socket DS is designed for improved durability and reliability, sustaining more than 10,000 insertions consistently.

Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) provides an overview on how to specify or manufacture voice coils. In this reference article, Mike Klasco recaps on voice coil basics, bobbin materials and sizes, collars, winding techniques, configurations, tips and tricks and wire types and considerations - a valuable, concise compendium of unique knowledge. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, August 2020.

Ultimate Ears announced two new in-ear monitors, including a new flagship in-ear monitor (Ultimate Ears LIVE) and a separate new in-ear monitor (Ultimate Ears 6 PRO) for improved rhythm and bass response. Plus, the entire Ultimate Ears in-ear monitor lineup has been updated with a new cable connection system (Ultimate Ears IPX Connection System) to withstand the rigors of music touring and minimize service and maintenance.