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.

IsoAcoustics expanded the global reach of its Product Selector and the IsoAcoustics mobile app by introducing support for seven languages. Both tools now cater to a diverse international audience. The Product Selector web application and the mobile app, are now available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, and Korean. These tools assist with product selection and provide detailed explanations for each item.

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.

This patent awarded to inventor Matthias Larrieu, on behalf of French company NEXO (owned by Yamaha Corp.) was the topic of this detailed review by James Croft. From the abstract it might be difficult to visualize what exactly differentiates the patented design from a standard bass reflex system. Basically, Larrieu created two V-shaped slices at the opening either centered or with one at each side of the port, helping to reduce amplitude and phase anomalies in the midrange due to port resonances, while improving mid-band directivity.

Voice Coil December 2022 features an updated directory of Measurement Microphones Vendors, Mike Klasco writes about how to Enhance Low-Frequency Performance, and Vance Dickason reminds us that there is a more realistic way to map speaker resonances. Test Bench characterizes two tweeters from Beyma's new Near and Mid Field (NMF) series: the T-25M 1" aluminum/magnesium alloy metal dome tweeter, and the similar T-25S 1" silk dome tweeter.