Types of acoustic systems: structures, overview, characteristics

Expensive speakers from the higher price segment have long ceased to be simple speakers, such boxes that make sound with the help of a pair of speakers. Engineers from year to year contrive, turning the industry and every device into a small work of art that not everyone can repeat. There were new types of speakers, new ways to output sound, change in power and amplitude, and so on and so forth. Over time, a whole multicomponent structure appeared that describes different types of acoustic systems. Actually, this will be discussed in the material below.

Categorization of acoustic systems

So, for a start, we'll figure out the basic aspects of what kind of acoustic systems are, and then we'll find out what they are and how different they are from each other.

There are the following types of speakers:

• Shelf and floor systems. From the name it is clear that they differ by the principle of installation indoors and by their size.
• Also, acoustic systems differ in the number of bands (in fact, the number of speakers) - from one to seven.
• There are dynamic, electrostatic, planar and other acoustic systems, depending on the design of the speakers, which may not fall into any category (it all depends on the imagination of the engineers).
• Depending on the acoustic design of the cases, the columns are divided into systems with an open housing, a closed housing, with a bass reflex, with an acoustic labyrinth and so on.
• Also, the speakers are divided into passive and active , depending on the presence of a built-in audio amplifier.

Single-band and multiband speaker systems

Single-loudspeaker systems are equipped with a single radiator, and since it is impossible to configure one radiator for good reproduction of all frequencies at once, manufacturers have to use several differently tuned radiators.

There are also 2- way speakers (also 3, 4). In such systems, two radiators are installed. One takes over the reproduction of low and medium frequencies, and the second reproduces only high frequencies. Due to this approach in 2-way speakers, an ideal sound balance is achieved, which is impossible with a single speaker (even if it is very good). The sound of such speakers is usually enough for people who are not sophisticated, do not own more advanced systems, but there are also more acceptable options, for example, 3-way systems. 3-way speakers share all three types of frequencies at once. One radiator is engaged in the reproduction of low frequencies, the second - high, and the third - medium. 3-way speakers are encountered more often than others, because it is thanks to this design that the highest quality of reproduction of frequencies audible by the human ear is achieved.

Passive and active speakers

Active and passive systems are distinguished by the presence of an integrated power amplifier in the design of the speakers themselves.

Active speakers have such an amplifier, so they can be directly connected to the preamplifier using an interconnect cable, and each separate speaker is powered from the mains without connecting additional power supplies.

Passive speakers, although more complex in the device, still occur much more often and are in priority for users who value high-quality sound. Such speakers are connected to the power amplifier via a dedicated separation filter. Connection is by means of acoustic wires. Many manufacturers (companies) of acoustic systems prefer the production of such columns, so they bring a big profit and allow engineers to realize their ideals of sounding. In addition to certain difficulties in the installation, there is also a financial problem, because a good amplifier and speaker cables cost a lot of money, and without them such a system can not be "wound up."

Horn speaker systems

This is a special type of speaker system. Their peculiarity is the horn installation above the radiator. The advantage of such speakers is the high sensitivity of the speakers. This makes them an ideal complement for low-cost and low-power tube amplifiers, unable to give their owner enough volume. Such acoustic systems require competent placement in the room where they are planned to be used, but if you spend it for a while, you can achieve the most realistic and rich stereo picture.

Electrostatic Acoustic Systems

Such systems are distinguished by their unusual design. Instead of classical speakers, a film of conductive material is used, which is stretched along the vertical along the column. The principle of operation is as follows: a sound signal is applied to the film at a certain frequency, and electricity is applied to the semiconductors located on the sides (in some cases, reverse order is observed when the electric current is supplied to the conductive film). Between the film and semiconductors creates an electromagnetic field and an alternating field. Because of this, there are oscillations of the film, which reproduces the sound radiation. The sound of such acoustic systems is characterized by high detail, a clear transmission of each individual frequency. Music seems more free and open. Of the minuses is to allocate a lack of bass, which can not convey the full depth, especially when it comes to genres such as hip-hop or tap.

Central channel system

As speakers for cinemas (home of course), sets of 5 speakers and one subwoofer are used. This is a classic system, proven and using the most fans of good sound. The key element of this system is the central column, which reproduces dialogues in the cinema and basic musical fragments. Such a column is set directly in the center. Some users use it in the acoustic systems for the computer, since watching the movie is on it.

Front and rear speakers

The front system is a classic pair of speakers that create a stereo effect. Such speakers often form a complete acoustic system for computers (since usually nothing else is needed). If we are talking about a home theater, then between the two front speakers (or under the TV) the column of the central channel is hanging. Relying on the front pair of speakers, you need to collect the remains of the 5.1 speaker system, since they reproduce the main array of sounds.

The rear part of the system is two small columns located behind the spectators. Their use is not necessary, but they always come complete with 5.1 acoustic systems to achieve maximum immersion in the atmosphere of the reproduced films. If the movie's soundtrack supports surround sound technology, then some events and scenes in the movie will play back only on the rear speakers (this occurs when someone sneaks behind the movie's hero). When using acoustic racks it is possible to introduce this system into computer acoustics.

Subwoofer

This is a separate column that is capable of reproducing only low frequencies and bass. It is often used together with paired speakers and complements the speaker system for the computer, since the front speakers can not cope with the whole range of sound. The subwoofer brings balance to the speaker system. Visually the subwoofer looks the same as a conventional speaker, but it installs one massive radiator in an open view. The subwoofer is installed in the corner of the room or under a computer desk. Because of this, by the way, neighbors often suffer.

Floor and floor acoustic systems

Such acoustic systems can still be called desktop and outdoor (or computer and home theater systems). The shelf speakers take up much less space and at the same time they weigh less, which means they can be installed higher. For example, if you are assembling a home audio system that will be connected to a TV (to create a depth of sound), you can put the shelf speakers even on the cabinet (this ensures maximum coverage of the area). To derive the maximum potential from such compact speakers, they are usually installed on special acoustic racks.

Floor systems are much more suitable for large rooms (they are often called acoustic systems for cinemas). They install larger speakers, and their number varies from one to seven. Installing such speakers in a small room can cause excessive bass amplification and a noticeable buzz. Floor systems are much more expensive than shelving systems and require much more attention from designers in the calculations when creating them.

Speaker systems with bass reflex

Bass reflex - this is the hole in the body, from which the pipe goes to the inside of the column. Thanks to this design, the acoustics can reproduce low frequencies that are not available for standard speakers without a bass reflex. When designing a column, the engineer must choose the diameter and length of the pipe in accordance with the frequency that the future sound source should reproduce. At the time when the music is playing, the volume of air in the bass reflex tube resonates and enhances the reproduction of the frequency at which the pipe diameter was originally set. The size of the column itself does not matter, the bass reflex is built into both the huge audio systems for the home and compact headphones. The air outlet pipe can go out into any part of the speaker or earpiece, but the position of the column in the room will depend on it (the pipe should not be blocked by anything).

Acoustic systems with acoustic labyrinth

In its essence, the acoustic labyrinth is the same bass reflex. The difference is that the pipe that goes into the hull has many bends, and its length is much larger. The task of the pipe is the same - increasing the volume and saturation of the sound of low frequencies. Unfortunately, such columns are much more expensive than those with a conventional bass reflex, since their production takes much longer and requires engineers to be particularly accurate, and materials are more expensive. As with bass reflex speakers, the size of the sound output device can be any, but you will not see such a system in the headphones.

Closed and open speakers

Some speaker companies produce open-type speakers. The acoustic design of such columns is distinguished by the absence of a back wall. Due to this, some freedom appears in the diffusers. This approach provides sound close to electrostatic audio-acoustic systems.

There are also closed acoustic systems. Actually, they differ precisely in that in their cases there are no holes. This approach makes the sound more "resilient". This is due to the fact that the air has nowhere to go, the movement of the diffuser becomes chained. To avoid the negative effect of such a design, columns of this type are made very large, so that the diffuser has more freedom to move. A big plus of such systems is the absence of any unnecessary noise, cod and others like them.

Acoustic systems with a passive radiator

Passive radiator performs the same task as the phase-inverter, for example. It is necessary in order to ensure the normal sound of low frequencies. There are no pipes in these columns. A hole is simply made in the column, and a passive speaker is installed inside (a speaker without a magnetic system, built on the basis of one diffuser, suspension and frame). The advantage of a passive radiator is the ability to reproduce bass and any, even the lowest frequencies. Such types of acoustic systems are very valuable and require an uncommon mastery of engineers.