| Speaker
Terms & Features |
|
| Dual-Cone |
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|
A dual cone speaker, sometimes also
referred to as a "full-range" speaker,
uses an inexpensive, efficient design.
The small "whizzer" cone in the
center of the woofer reproduces
high frequencies, but not as well
as a separate tweeter. |
|
| Efficiency
or Sensitivity |
|
|
An efficiency or sensitivity rating
tells you how effectively a speaker
converts power into sound. The higher
the number, the more efficient the
speaker and the louder it will play
with the same input power. An efficient
speaker helps you maximize your
available power. |
|
| Frequency
Response |
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|
The range of frequencies the speaker
will reproduce (lowest frequency
to the highest). The wider the range,
the better. Optimal is 20 - 20,000
Hz, the range of human hearing.
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|
| Imaging |
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|
Imaging describes the extent to
which a stereo system reproduces
the location of instruments and
vocalists as they were positioned
during recording and mixing (See
also soundstage
below). |
|
|
Good imaging creates a listening
experience that seems natural and
lifelike. The key to attaining the
best possible imaging is equal and
unobstructed path lengths between
your tweeters and your ears. That
is one of the reasons why matched
component speakers, with their versatile
tweeter placement, sound as good
as they do. |
|
| Maximum
RMS Power Handling |
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|
Maximum RMS Power Handling refers
to the amount of power a speaker
can handle on a continuous basis.
|
|
| Midrange
Speaker |
|
|
A tweeter-less speaker (ranging
in size from 3-1/2" to 6-3/4") dedicated
to the reproduction of midrange
frequencies. They are used in systems
in which the low, midrange, and
high frequencies are amplified separately.
|
|
| Peak
Power Handling |
|
|
Peak power handling refers to the
amount of power a speaker can handle
during a brief musical burst. |
|
| Separates
or Matched Components |
|
|
Separates use a superior speaker
design to give you the best possible
sound. A typical separates system
includes a separate woofer, tweeter,
and external crossover, all of which
are designed to work smoothly with
one another. Generally, these components
are made of better materials than
their two-and three-way cousins.
|
|
|
Separate woofers may be easier to
mount in tight places because tweeter
protrusion is not a factor. The
separate tweeters allow positioning
for optimum imaging. Given adequate
power, separates deliver phenomenal
dynamics and detail. |
|
| Soundstage |
|
|
Individual vocal and instrumental
"images" make up your stereo system's
soundstage. The better the soundstage,
the greater the sense of its definite
width, depth and height. See also
imaging above.
|
|
| Surround |
|
|
The surround is the flexible ring
around the edge of the woofer cone.
Good ones are pliable enough to
let the woofer cone travel freely
in and out. The further the cone
can travel, the stronger the bass.
Surrounds are usually made of cloth,
foam or rubber. Rubber tends to
last longest. |
|
| Three-way |
|
|
Three-way or tri-axial
speakers take the separate
woofer and tweeter from
a two-way design and
add a midrange driver
for enhanced warmth
and texture. The extra
high-frequency energy
also boosts overall
sensitivity. |
|
| Tweeter |
|
|
Your highs are reproduced
by the tweeter, the
small speaker perched
inside the woofer cone.
Cone tweeters are efficient
and the most economical.
Dome tweeters, the type
found in most home speakers,
sound smoother and more
accurate. Some domes
are made of metals like
titanium for extended
high frequency response.
Others are made of a
fine cloth like silk
for a smoother sound.
Some are made from a
combination of materials.
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|
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| Two-way |
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|
Your music's high frequencies are
reproduced accurately by two-way,
or coaxial, designs. These speakers
use a separate tweeter to deliver
high frequency reproduction that
surpasses that of dual-cone models.
This tweeter, usually a cone or
a dome, is perched inside the woofer.
|
|
| Voice
coil |
|
|
The voice coil is the coil of wire
in a loudspeaker that creates a
magnetic field. With the help of
other speaker components, the voice
coil converts electrical signals
into mechanical energy, which is
used to produce sound. The voice
coil former is the part of the speaker
around which the voice coil is wound.
Many of the speakers on this site
offer a heat-resistant voice coil
to prolong speaker life. |
|
| Woofer |
|
|
Your bass and lower midrange are
reproduced by the woofer, the speaker's
big cone. To operate efficiently,
a cone should be made of material
that is stiff, yet lightweight.
Cones made of polypropylene, or
poly mixed with other materials,
provide excellent sound, and stand
up to the heat, cold, and moisture
that car speakers face daily. Paper
cones treated for moisture resistance
also do a great job, and are usually
very efficient. |
