Abstract: The anechoic audio response of a speaker is measured over a frequency range; and the composite anechoic audio response is separated into three distinct characteristic curves, namely (1) the mechanical response characteristic of the speaker, (2) the cone-air energy transfer characteristic, and (3) the cone break-up characteristic. Compensation is made for each of these phenomena by means of separate networks having frequency characteristic curves which are complementary to, and thereby compensate for, the frequency characteristic associated with the phenomena. The networks independently process the signal to achieve a substantially uniform audio output over the desired frequency range. Compensation may also be made in a similar fashion for the acoustics of the room in which the speaker is used. Frequency compensation of a microphone is made for the same phenomena by means of similar compensation networks to achieve a substantially uniform microphone voltage over the desired frequency range.