Speakers: Parts Is Parts - High-Polymer Film, The Lost Speaker Technology (Part 1)

This article explores Polyvinylidene Fluoride Film (PVDF), a piezoelectric polymer used in various transducers for headphones, microphones and loudspeakers. It seems that the audio engineering community at large is either not familiar with PVDF film or misunderstands PVDF piezoelectric film technology. Hopefully, this article will serve as an introduction (or reintroduction) to the technology. This article was originally published in audioXpress April 2013.

This article focuses on another pro sound OEM new to Voice Coil’s Test Bench, Oberton of Bulgaria. For this characterization, Oberton supplied the recently released ND72CT/HB 1.4" compression driver along with the H-1464 1.4” cast aluminum 60° × 40° constant directivity horn. The ND72 has two iterations available - a cotton composite diaphragm with polycotton surround - The ND72CT - and an alternative dome, named the Hybrid Dome, using a combination of carbon composite diaphragm with a center cotton composite “patch” that reduces break-up modes - the ND72HB. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, January 2020.

Recently, Eminence announced that it had already successfully implemented and tested a new compression driver using the new thin ply carbon diaphragm from Textreme. The announcement of the new Eminence N314X-8 Compression Driver confirms that the Kentucky company is now ready to offer the world's first driver using the new lighter diaphragm material, promising "goosebumps" for those who have the opportunity to listen to the the latest in high frequency driver technology.

Always exploring all the latest information regarding cone and diaphragm technology, Voice Coil regularly publishes reports on key new materials with the potential to excite the loudspeaker industry. In this special focus article, Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific, Ltd.) explores new approaches that explore thin ply carbon materials, like Swedish advanced composite specialist Oxeon is attempting with its TeXtreme Thin Ply Carbon Technology. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2019.

MANUEL PODSZUS: I try to always use cutting-edge technology. For instance, I designed a mounting device for 3-D measurements on car doors, which require extremely low tolerances, for Daimler AG. Later, I was active in the field of micro-robot technology. In everything, I strive to find the perfect solution.