Eastman and DW Designs Showcase Audio Applications for Tritan Copolyester and Trēva Engineering Bioplastics

Global specialty plastics provider Eastman collaborated with engineering consultants DW Designs to mold and test beryllium models in ear monitor housings using a variety of materials. Eastman's John Quigley and DW Designs' Dan Wiggins recently presented their findings at the annual CanJam @ Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest held in Denver October 5-7, 2018.

COMSOL announced the latest version of COMSOL Multiphysics Version 5.4, which in addition to two new products provides performance improvements and additional modeling tools. The latest version of COMSOL Multiphysics features COMSOL Compiler, giving specialists the freedom to distribute their simulation applications through executable files, and the Composite Materials Module for layered structures analysis. For acoustics modeling applications, the update introduces acoustic ports and nonlinear acoustics Westervelt model.

Following the presentation of the Kanta range of speakers in 2017, Focal new expanded this hi-fidelity line with three new models, completing home theater and multichannel configurations. The Kanta N°1, Kanta N°3 and Kanta Center speakers were introduced at CEDIA Expo in San Diego, all combining Focal’s beryllium inverted dome tweeter with the company's flax-composite woofer and midrange drivers and are available in a variety of colors and finishes.

Injection molded plastics dominate audio consumer electronics products but are perceived as “cheap” and have mediocre acoustic characteristics compared to wood. New cellulose reinforced composites developed by Sappi’s Symbio division combine the best of both wood and plastics with higher stiffness, lower weight and can be used for injection molding and extrusion processes in any color and finishing.

Since 1990, US Enclosure Company has developed a series of purpose-engineered composite wall materials specifically for custom-shaped complex curved loudspeaker cabinets with Class-A finishes that meet or beat the acoustic qualities of MDF, plywood, plastics, or metals at the same wall thickness. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2015.

Voice Coil July 2015 is now available for download. Read about US Enclosure’s new purpose-engineered composite materials specifically for loudspeaker cabinets. July’s Test Bench includes a 5.75” subwoofer from Wavecor, plus the DE550 compression driver from B&C Speakers.