Details

Preface to the First Edition xix <br /><br />Preface to the Fifth Edition xxi <br /><br />Preface to the Sixth Edition xxiii <br /><br />Preface to the Seventh Edition xxv <br /><br />Acknowledgements xxvii <br /><br /><b>1 General Review 1 </b><br /><br />1.1 Early Loudspeakers 1 <br /><br />1.2 Audible Frequency Range and Wavelength 4 <br /><br />1.3 The BBC Contribution 12 <br /><br />1.4 Emerging Standards 13 <br /><br />1.5 Influence of Improved Low‐Frequency Analysis 17 <br /><br />1.6 Changes in UK Lifestyle are Affecting Domestic Audio Systems 22 <br /><br />1.7 High‐End Stereo Audio 23 <br /><br />1.8 Sound Docks 23 <br /><br />1.9 Headphones 27<br /> <br />1.10 Advances in Pro Audio 27 <br /><br /><b>2 Developments in Loudspeaker System Design 31</b> <br /><br />2.1 Developments in Loudspeaker System Design 31<br /> <br />2.2 Limits to Performance 37 <br /><br />2.3 The Stereo Illusion: ‘3D Sound’ 38 <br /><br />2.4 Sensitivity and Impedance 40 <br /><br />2.5 Enclosures 41<br /> <br />2.6 Drive Units 44 <br /><br />2.7 The Room 47 <br /><br /><b>3 Theoretical Aspects of Diaphragm Radiators 51</b><br /> <br />3.1 Radiation From Simple Sources 51 <br /><br />3.2 Electromechanics of a Hypothetical Moving‐Coil Loudspeaker 57 <br /><br />3.3 Radiated Pressure 67<br /> <br />3.4 Relating the TwoPort Model to Low‐Frequency Analogous Circuits 74<br /><br /> 3.5 Higher Modes of the Loudspeaker Diaphragm 77 <br /><br /><b>4 Transducers Diaphragms and Loudspeaker Technologies 87 </b><br /><br />4.1 Dome Radiators 87 <br /><br />4.2 Velocity of Sound In a Diaphragm 93<br /><br /> 4.3 Compensation of Dome Characteristics 95<br /><br /> 4.4 Cone Behaviour 95<br /><br /> 4.5 Cone Parameters 96 <br /><br />4.6 Cone Shape 104<br /> <br />4.7 Motor Systems 112<br /> <br />4.8 Moving‐Coil Motor Linearity 115<br /><br />4.9 Effect of Magnetic Field Strength Variation on Loudspeaker Pressure Response 119<br /><br /> 4.10 Magnet Systems 120<br /> <br />4.11 Film Transducers, Magnetic and Electrostatic 126<br /><br /> 4.12 Bending Radiators, DML, Distributed Mode and BMR: The Balanced Mode Radiator 144 <br /><br /><b>5 Low‐Frequency System Analysis: Room Environments and 2π Half Space Radiation 157 </b><br /><br />5.1 General Considerations 157<br /><br /> 5.2 Room Interaction, The Broader Picture 165 <br /><br />5.3 Optimum System Design for Low Subjective Colouration 167 <br /><br />5.4 LF System Analysis 181 <br /><br />5.5 Viewpoint—What Is an Optimal Low‐Frequency Q Factor for a System? 195 <br /><br />5.6 Closed‐Box System 198 <br /><br />5.7 Reflex or Vented Enclosures 207 <br /><br />5.8 Band‐Pass Designs and LF Equalization 224 <br /><br />5.9 Longevity, Reliability, Tolerances, Climate 237 <br /><br />5.10 Transmission‐Line Enclosures 243 <br /><br />5.11 Sub‐Woofers and Extended Low‐Frequency Design 249 <br /><br /><b>6 Horn and Other Loading Variations 261</b><br /><br /> 6.1 Introduction 261<br /> <br />6.2 Line Source Loudspeakers 269<br /><br /> 6.3 The Moving‐Coil Spaced Dipole 275<br /><br /> 6.4 Bi‐Polar Speakers 276 <br /><br /><b>7 Moving‐Coil Direct‐Radiator Drivers 279 </b><br /><br />7.1 Moving‐Coil Motor System 279<br /> <br />7.2 Low Frequencies, Bass Units 283 <br /><br />7.3 LF/MF Units 306<br /> <br />7.4 MF, Mid‐Frequency Units 309<br /> <br />7.5 High‐Frequency Units 317<br /> <br />7.6 Full‐Range Units 326<br /> <br />7.7 Dynamics and Engineering 333<br /> <br /><b>8 Systems and Crossovers 339</b><br /> <br />8.1 Passive Loudspeaker System Design 342<br /> <br />8.2 ‘Two‐and‐a‐Half‐Way’ System Design 348 <br /><br />8.3 The Crossover Network and Target Function 349 <br /><br />8.4 Crossover Component Considerations 380<br /> <br />8.5 General Design Considerations, Voicing and Balancing 392<br /> <br />8.6 The Amplifier–Loudspeaker Interface 407 <br /><br />8.7 Active Loudspeakers 416 <br /><br />8.8 Current Drive 436<br /><br /> 8.9 Digital Loudspeakers 440<br /> <br />8.10 Digital Active System Details 450<br /> <br />8.11 DSP Crossover Filter Order 450 <br /><br />9 The Enclosure 457 <br /><br />9.1 Enclosure Materials 458 <br /><br />9.2 Enclosure Resonances 463 <br /><br />9.3 Magnitude of Undamped Panel Output 465 <br /><br />9.4 Audibility of Resonances 469 <br /><br />9.5 Resonance Control, Damping Materials and Bracing 470<br /><br /> 9.6 Internal Enclosure Modes 476 <br /><br />9.7 Driver‐Cone, Transmission of Internal Resonances 480 <br /><br />9.8 Cabinet Construction 483 <br /><br />9.9 Diffraction and Cabinet Shape 493 <br /><br />9.10 Loudspeaker Design Software 499 <br /><br />9.11 Importance of Effective Driver Mounting Methods 501<br /> <br />9.12 Drive‐Unit Mounting: Clamped or Decoupled? 505 <br /><br />9.13 Open Baffles: Dipoles 506 <br /><br />9.14 Loudspeaker Supports and Placement 507 <br /><br /><b>10 Loudspeaker Assessment 513 </b><br /><br />10.1 Loudspeaker Specifications Standards and Distortions 515 <br /><br />10.2 FM: Frequency‐Modulation Distortion 532<br /> <br />10.3 Measurement and Evaluation: Introduction 545 <br /><br />10.4 Objective Measurements: Amplitude/Frequency Responses (4<i>π</i>, Full Anechoic) 554 <br /><br />10.5 Random Noise Excitation 558 <br /><br />10.6 Subjective Evaluation 600<br /><br /> Index 635

This is the seventh edition of what has long been a standard work on the subject?the first edition appeared in 1977! The current edition has been brought thoroughly up to date. It includes, for example, such recent developments as the Devialet Speaker Active Matching (SAM) system. Over the years, the book has steadily expanded in size and scope. And the present edition includes not only the information on specifics of speaker design of the early editions but also surveys the whole subject of assessment of loudspeakers, both technically and in listening terms. The book has now grown to considerable size?more than six hundred pages?and it represents a summation of Martin Colloms? long career as a speaker reviewer and design consultant. The fruits of extended experience and impressive expertise are very much on display here. This is an indispensable work for anyone who has a serious interest in speakers, who wants in particular to go (far) beyond the informal scuttlebutt of on-line forums and Internet reviewing. ? <b>Robert E Greene, The Absolute Sound (May 1st , 2019)</b> <p> In the seventh edition?s 10 chapters, each with up to 30 subchapters, Martin has expanded the sections on analysis and modeling, and included new sections on the increasingly popular Klippel and Comsol Multiphysics systems, as well as on the finite element analysis (FEA) of magnetic systems. He has added two new chapters, one on DSP integration into system design, and the second providing a worked-through example of the loudspeaker design process?High Performance Loudspeakers: Optimising High Fidelity Loudspeaker Systems, Seventh Edition, is a must-have addition to the bookshelf of any audiophile who wants to learn everything there is to know about the art and science of loudspeaker design. ? <b>John Atkinson, Audio Critic, Stereophile Magazine (April 2019 issue)</b> <p> The reader will gain a solid grounding in the design principles and the necessary trade-offs, allowing the individual to map out a design before diving into one of the now ubiquitous enclosure design software packages. If you buy just one book on the subject, this is it, as there?s much to learn at the same time as enjoying a satisfying read.- <b>Stan Curtis, Audio Designer, HIFICRITIC Magazine OCT-DEC 2018</b>

<p><b>Martin Colloms </b>is an independent electroacoustics engineer in the UK who has seen over 200 of his high fidelity audio and speaker designs put into mass production. Martin has worked as a loudspeaker critic—publishing over 1,500 high fidelity speaker reviews—and is the technical editor of <i>HIFICRITIC</i>.</p>

<p><b>A technology overview of what goes into the design and evaluation of a high performance loudspeaker and covers all the latest advances in the field</b></p> <p>The design of high performance loudspeakers requires a mix of developed skills in electroacoustics, high fidelity sound reproduction and subjective evaluation. Taking a designer’s view of the subject, this new edition of <i>High Performance Loudspeakers</i>,<i> Seventh Edition</i> provides a comprehensive, timely and practical knowledge base to aid the design of superior loudspeaker systems fit for purpose. It is updated throughout with the latest progress in research and technology, synthesis and analysis, digital signal processing incorporated products, automated production test systems and compact designs.</p> <p>This <i>Seventh Edition</i> of the highly successful guide to the design and specification of high quality loudspeakers and loudspeaker systems addresses the issue of where higher performance is required and shows how the numerous considerations — including application, target price, size, aspiration and particular market — lead to a complex mix of design and engineering decisions. The book has also been substantially revised to reflect the many changes in the technology of loudspeakers and includes two brand new chapters — one covering ultra-compact systems and DSP integration, and the second providing details of  the loudspeaker systems design process beginning with the target function.</p> <ul> <li>Offers a complete overview of the technology</li> <li>Thoroughly updated with new content to reflect the latest sound quality advances in the field while retaining the firm theoretical foundation of previous editions</li> <li>Presents a designer's point of view of the field, helping to equip both amateur enthusiasts and academically trained graduates with the finer points of industry practice</li> <li>Covers all the newest developments in the field of high performance loudspeakers</li> <li>Offers a critical and objective approach to all subjects covered directed to sound quality, rather than a simple spelling out of theory and facts</li> <li>Appeals to both amateur speaker builders as a source of ideas, and to professional speaker designers as a critical review of competitive technologies and features </li> </ul> <p>Acknowledged industry-wide as the definitive work on speaker design and analysis, <i>High Performance Loudspeakers</i>,<i> Seventh Edition</i> is essential reading for audio engineers, speaker designers, equipment designers and students of acoustic engineering, electronics and electro-acoustics. It will also prove invaluable to students of audio electronics, broadcasting and sound recording, and be of interest to amateur loudspeaker builders, and including authors and journalists in audio.</p>

This is the seventh edition of what has long been a standard work on the subject?the first edition appeared in 1977! The current edition has been brought thoroughly up to date. It includes, for example, such recent developments as the Devialet Speaker Active Matching (SAM) system. Over the years, the book has steadily expanded in size and scope. And the present edition includes not only the information on specifics of speaker design of the early editions but also surveys the whole subject of assessment of loudspeakers, both technically and in listening terms. The book has now grown to considerable size?more than six hundred pages?and it represents a summation of Martin Colloms? long career as a speaker reviewer and design consultant. The fruits of extended experience and impressive expertise are very much on display here. This is an indispensable work for anyone who has a serious interest in speakers, who wants in particular to go (far) beyond the informal scuttlebutt of on-line forums and Internet reviewing. ? <b>Robert E Greene, The Absolute Sound (May 1st , 2019)</b> <p> In the seventh edition?s 10 chapters, each with up to 30 subchapters, Martin has expanded the sections on analysis and modeling, and included new sections on the increasingly popular Klippel and Comsol Multiphysics systems, as well as on the finite element analysis (FEA) of magnetic systems. He has added two new chapters, one on DSP integration into system design, and the second providing a worked-through example of the loudspeaker design process?High Performance Loudspeakers: Optimising High Fidelity Loudspeaker Systems, Seventh Edition, is a must-have addition to the bookshelf of any audiophile who wants to learn everything there is to know about the art and science of loudspeaker design. ? <b>John Atkinson, Audio Critic, Stereophile Magazine (April 2019 issue)</b> <p> The reader will gain a solid grounding in the design principles and the necessary trade-offs, allowing the individual to map out a design before diving into one of the now ubiquitous enclosure design software packages. If you buy just one book on the subject, this is it, as there?s much to learn at the same time as enjoying a satisfying read.- <b>Stan Curtis, Audio Designer, HIFICRITIC Magazine OCT-DEC 2018</b>

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