Plastic Speaker Cone History

Mike Klasco explains the evolution of speaker cone materials, from paper to the first experiments in plastics and finally to Polypropylene (PP), which became the preferred resin sheet material for thermoformed speaker cones. The article also discusses recent trends in woven composite cone fabrication. This article was published in Voice Coil, February 2014.

On the eve of the company’s 50th anniversary, Bowers & Wilkins introduced a reimagined 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers. The new range features new midrange drivers with a composite cone material replacing the Kevlar and a new curved cabinet design. Even the famous diamond tweeter domes received a new motor system.

Bowers & Wilkins brought its knowledge and experience in electro-acoustics to the headphone category for the first time with the highly regarded P5 headphones. Now the British loudspeaker company launched the P5 Wireless, promising convenience without the compromise in audio quality.

As usual, the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin is the stage for many industry announcements and a good share of award ceremonies. Among those, none is more important than the European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA) Awards, featuring more than 20 audio categories. OPPO’s PM-1 received the Best European Hi-Fi Headphone award.

Definitely a first. English brand Bowers & Wilkins was never a conventional speaker manufacturer, always venturing into new areas, from being a record company, with its B&W Music label, to sponsoring music festivals and, in recent years, trying multiple digital lifestyle product segments. Now, B&W decided to create a Sound System for music events. Not for sale, at least for now…