Title

Comparative Measurements on Loudspeaker Distortion: Current vs. Voltage Control

Journal title

Archives of Acoustics

Yearbook

2017

Numer

No 1

Publication authors

Esa MERILÄINEN

Keywords

current driving; current control; loudspeaker distortion; current distortion; inductance non-linearity; voice coil former

Divisions of PAS

Nauki Techniczne

Abstract

Modulation and harmonic distortion produced by ordinary moving-coil direct-radiator drive units are measured under current control and voltage control. A realistic two-tone test signal is used to investigate the detrimental effect of the voice coil electromotive forces on the voltage-to-current conversion that is critical with voltage control. Dramatic improvements in distortion performance are obtained with current control. Current nonlinearities in voltage-controlled speakers are shown to be the dominant source of modulation and odd harmonic distortions at signal frequencies above the fundamental resonance region. Currents in conductive voice coil formers also seem to be significant sources of distortion; with current control and non-conductive formers, odd harmonics and related modulation products virtually vanished in the upper midrange.

Publisher

Committee on Acoustics PAS, PAS Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Acoustical Society

Identifier

ISSN 0137-5075 ; eISSN 2300-262X

DOI

10.1515/aoa-2017-0008