Voice Coil Patent Review: Two Key Resonado Patents

James Croft looks at two patents from Resonado Labs, the young speaker company that has been pursuing a new speaker topology — originally called Flat Core Speaker (FCS), and now rebranded as Res-Core — using a reconfigured speaker with a planar voice coil mounted perpendicularly to its flat diaphragm. This review covers two of the company's patents granted in 2022, titled "Speaker Comprising Split Gap Plate Structure," and "Flat Speaker Driven by a Single Permanent Magnet and One or More Voice Coils.".

Technical Audio Devices Laboratories (TAD Labs) announced the TAD-GE1 (Grand Evolution One) speaker system as the newest addition to its Evolution Series of hifi audio components. Borrowing internal technology and design language from TAD’s top-of-the-line Reference TX Series as well as the distinguished wood-grain finish of the standmount CE1TX speakers, the new GE1 floorstanding speakers feature a coaxial driver with a magnesium diaphragm midrange and beryllium tweeter, and second generation multi-layered aramid composite woofers.

In this article, James Croft discusses a patent granted to Curtis Graber (Woodburn, IN) that describes a radial acoustic speaker assembly including a transducer and a plurality of segmented spiral horns acoustically coupled to the transducer, each with its acoustical path. This new patent by prolific audio inventor, Curtis Graber, uses a new multi-spiral waveguide structure driven by a single transducer and has clear advantages over prior art. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, May 2018.

This article reviews two patents titled simply "Speaker Device" from four Japanese inventors, on behalf of Pioneer Corp. of Japan. The original and expanded patent describes a flat speaker device capable of emitting loud reproduced sound, using a mechanical structure that converts a linear voice coil motion in one axis to an orthogonal mechanical diaphragm displacement. The system functions much like a scissor-jack you would use to raise your automobile to change a tire. The linear motion of the threaded rod coverts the axial force to a 90° lift movement.

RCF introduced TT+ Audio, a new premium brand in the group, founded on the company's decades of experience designing high-performance sound reinforcement products that provide integrated, reliable solutions for professionals seeking the highest quality in sound reinforcement. The brand's all-encompassing approach to product design, engineering, and tour-tested reliability, is intended to be perceived as a premium solution for touring professionals and high-quality permanent installations.

This article examines a notable patent from VUE Audiotechnik, describing a loudspeaker system with one driver providing a direct radiating output from the front, and a second driver on a ported side chamber, sharing a ported common chamber, where at least one port of the ported common chamber exits the front of the loudspeaker system. As Croft notes, this is an innovative advanced system - that was patent-pending at the time - and provides a unique combination of technology, offering real-world advantages. The patent was granted in 2021.

Bowers & Wilkins made a familiar announcement. The company found another way to refine the formula for something that doesn't necessarily needs to change, but needs to be constantly revived to keep the brand and product awareness alive. This time, B&W announced the new 801 D4 Signature and the 805 D4 Signature speakers, further refining and advancing a very successful design into the Ultimate affordable luxury.

Theory Professional is making its official debut into the commercial audio market at InfoComm 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Exhibiting in booth 4989 and Audio Demo Room W223A, June 13 – 16, 2023, Theory Professional (Theory) is the new brand created by the Orange County-based company, already established with the Theory Audio Design brand of audio products for the home and residential installation. With a hyper-focus on performance and design, Theory Professional aims to become a go-to premium solution for the commercial audio market.

MISCO Speakers has confirmed its inaugural participation at InfoComm 2023, one of the premier trade shows for the professional audiovisual industry. The USA-based audio solutions manufacturer will present its renewed and much expanded portfolio of OEM/ODM speaker solutions, including from its Oaktron by MISCO catalog, Bold North Audio premium audio transducers, outdoor Soundscape speakers, and a complete range of MISCO amplifier modules and system solutions.

AtlasIED, the commercial audio specialist that is now expanding its strategy to new market segments, announced a strategic investment in the famous Scottish loudspeaker manufacturer, Fyne Audio - a manufacturing built from the ashes and engineering tradition of Tannoy. The partnership is intended to combine AtlasIED’s expertise in integrated solutions with Fyne Audio’s transducer technologies to open broader market opportunities for both companies.