What About Loudspeaker Damping Factor and How Much Do I Need?

A loudspeaker is a mechanically moving system and like any such system, it cannot stop moving in zero time. For example, if a tone is reproduced, and the amplifier outputs a zero voltage at the end of the tone, the speaker cone will not stop immediately but will tend to keep on moving with lower and lower amplitude and eventually come to a stop. Jan Didden explores Loudspeaker Damping Factor in simple terms.

For ISE 2024, Waterfall Audio is planning the launch of a brand-new range of exclusive glass loudspeakers, expanding the number of solutions from its specialized installation product portfolio. The French speaker specialist from Carcès en Provence will celebrate the 20th edition of the systems integration show with the launch of the Niagara XT range of glass speakers for luxury residential projects, featuring new wood horns and new Jetstream damping technology.

This article characterizes a cutting-edge product from BDNC, a patented “race track” shaped driver, and the first of its kind to use a glass diaphragm composite made up of two layers of “Schott AS87 Glass” with an internal layer of viscoelastomic damping material and aluminum alloy foil. The motor structure uses two neodymium bar magnets driving a two-layer race track-shaped voice coil wound with round copper wire on an aluminum former. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, June 2021.

Since 2013, Focal Aria has been a leading loudspeaker range for the French brand. With its natural flax cone and sleek style, Aria marked a decisive point in Focal’s history. And the story continues. As part of its process of constant renewal, Focal engineers and designers have revamped the Aria 936 flagship model to present the new Aria K2 936, featuring an updated version of the iconic K2 cone - used in JMLab Vega and Antea high-fidelity speakers since 1986 - combined with an Ash Grey exclusive finish.

Following a first R&D article, where Norman Varney discusses the basic principles of unwanted vibrations in audio playback environments, in this second part he writes about what his research found to be effective ways to counteract those effects. The article details the evaluation process and extensive measurements that lead to the creation of various products that AV RoomService provides when helping clients with their acoustic problems. This article was originally published in audioXpress, September 2019.

In this article, Norman Varney discusses the basic principles of unwanted vibrations in audio playback environments. "When we play back audio, we only want to hear sound waves created from the electromechanical vibrations produced by the loudspeaker. They are the result and intention of the artists. They are the original signals. These are good vibrations. However, for this article, we will focus on the basic principles of unwanted vibrations of audio playback environments," states Varney in the article introduction, originally published in audioXpress, August 2019

Stuart Yaniger details the amplifier technologies developed and perfected by Powersoft Audio, the Italian company based in Scandicci, Florence. From the introduction of Class-D amplification to the unique company philosophy, Yaniger discusses how Powersoft Audio strived to define the technological edge of its markets rather than follow trends. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2014.

With a very discreet announcement on their own website, SEAS Fabrikker has stepped ahead of many other major loudspeaker manufacturers with the commercial introduction of a graphene-coated 5-inch woofer. And the new W16NX003 model also signals the launch of a completely new series of Excel Graphene woofers, as the company confirms. "More than a thousand engineering hours and significant investments have been put into the Excel Graphene product line, and the W16NX003 is the first one," they state.

In order to generate a sound, a driver must vibrate. But what happens when one or more drivers are placed on the same baffle? In the exact moment that the cone begins to move, it starts to transmit — through the frame and the screws — vibrations to the cabinet and to the other drivers that are fixed on it. This article discusses multiples approaches to handle the problem, working on material, dimension, thickness, density, rigidity, and damping of the panels to be used. This article was published in audioXpress, February 2008.