R&D Stories: The Role of Resonance in Audio Clarity

Years of research conducted by ClarityCap, the audio capacitor manufacturer, and the UK-based Institute of Acoustics at the University of Salford, explored how the resonance from the body of a capacitor in a loudspeaker crossover circuit has an audible impact on sound quality. The article details the extensive testing, measurements, and conclusions, which allowed ClarityCap to perfect its manufacturing process, minimizing resonances in capacitors. This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2024.

In audioXpress January 2024, Martin Turesson explains how Thin-ply Carbon Diaphragm (TPCD) technology can be applied also to headphones, and Claus Futtrup writes about Loudspeaker Bass Reflex Alignments. Paul Marchese discusses Composite Amplifiers, Roger Tall explains how a research effort allowed ClarityCap to understand the impact of resonances in capacitors. Our own Jan Didden interviews Robert Munnig Schmidt, while audio expert Ethan Winer explores audible consequences of jitter in digital audio conversion.

Charcroft Electronics, the specialist distributor and manufacturer of electronic components, has launched the Purity range of ClarityCap audio capacitors to deliver a significantly lower noise floor, with more ‘dark space’ around the audio signal, and an improved dynamic range. These features enable greater clarity for audio reproduction as well as improved spatial separation for the individual instruments and vocals. The new capacitors use the multi-strand Van den Hul cable specified by high-end loudspeaker manufacturers.