Abstract: The foregoing are among the objects attained by the invention, which provides in some aspects a loudspeaker adapted for mounting in a lightbulb socket. The loudspeaker has a body that can, for example, be shaped like a lightbulb and that has a concavity that includes a first volumetric region. A wall that is disposed within the body and that at least partially defines that region includes one or more active diaphragms. The diaphragms generate (i) front waves directed from the first volumetric region to at least one of an environment and a second volumetric region, if any, defined within the concavity, and (ii) back waves directed into the volumetric region. A passive radiator that is elastically mounted in the wall passes from the volumetric region at least a portion of back waves generated by one or more of the active diaphragms.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a loudspeaker that has electrodynamically-driven piston mounted in one external wall and that has movable panels in one or more other external walls. Those panels are air-coupled to the piston, e.g., via air within the enclosure, such that vibrational motion of the piston causes the vibration of the panels, thereby, improving the overall air coupling of the piston to the external environment, e.g., the listening room. Further aspects of the invention provide an improved driver for use, e.g, in the aforementioned loudspeaker. The driver comprises a three-part piston having first and second diaphragms coupled back-to-back with one another and having a voice coil face-mounted (or front-mounted) within the second diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, electronic devices with improved radiators (or “passive drivers”) comprising an elastomerically mounted mass in order to improve sound reproduction fidelity. The mass comprises a component of the device not normally used for such purpose—e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, an audio headphone suitable for conversion to a loudspeaker. The device includes one or more earcups, each having a concavity that includes first and second volumetric regions and a wall that seals the regions from one another. The first volumetric region defines a space that receives a pinnea when the headphone is worn by a user, and the second volumetric region has one or more active drivers (a/k/a “speakers”). The wall includes one or more active diaphragms of those one or more active drivers. Those diaphragms generate front waves directed into the first volumetric region and back waves directed (back) into the second volumetric region. A passive radiator that is elastically mounted in the wall passes to the first volume from the second volume at least a portion of back waves generated by one or more of the active diaphragms. The invention provides, in other aspects, portable loudspeakers constructed in a manner of the earcups described above.

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a loudspeaker, for example, configured in a band-like shape and suitable, for example, for wearing as a wristband, armband, legband or the like. A related aspect of the invention is to provide such a wearable loudspeaker comprising a band-shaped enclosure, a driver that is mounted in the enclosure, and an active diaphragm that is coupled to the driver to generate sound waves directed outwardly from the enclosure (referred to below as “outwardly directed waves,” “outward waves” and, more often, by analogy to a conventional, non-wearable loudspeaker “frontward-directed sound waves” or, more simply, “front waves”) and backward-directed sound waves (“back waves”) directed inwardly into the enclosure (referred to below as “inwardly directed waves,” “inward waves” and, more often, by analogy to a conventional loudspeaker “backward-directed waves” or, more simply, “back waves”).

Abstract: A loudspeaker magnetic motor utilizes a voice coil with two or more wire coils that are connected in parallel and that are layered on top of one another. The motor utilizes, as a magnetic field source, a permanent magnet and, more particularly, a permanent magnet that includes a rare earth metal such as a neodymium boron iron magnet.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a loudspeaker that has electrodynamically-driven piston mounted in one external wall and that has movable panels in one or more other external walls. Those panels are air-coupled to the piston, e.g., via air within the enclosure, such that vibrational motion of the piston causes the vibration of the panels, thereby, improving the overall air coupling of the piston to the external environment, e.g., the listening room. Further aspects of the invention provide an improved driver for use, e.g, in the aforementioned loudspeaker. The driver comprises a three-part piston having first and second diaphragms coupled back-to-back with one another and having a voice coil face-mounted (or front-mounted) within the second diaphragm.

Abstract: A loudspeaker magnetic motor utilizes a voice coil with two or more wire coils that are connected in parallel and that are layered on top of one another. The motor utilizes, as a magnetic field source, a permanent magnet and, more particularly, a permanent magnet that includes a rare earth metal such as a neodymium boron iron magnet.

Abstract: A loudspeaker magnetic motor utilizes a voice coil with two or more wire coils that are connected in parallel and that are layered on top of one another. The motor utilizes, as a magnetic field source, a permanent magnet and, more particularly, a permanent magnet that includes a rare earth metal such as a neodymium boron iron magnet.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a loudspeaker that has electrodynamically-driven piston mounted in one external wall and that has movable panels in one or more other external walls. Those panels are air-coupled to the piston, e.g., via air within the enclosure, such that vibrational motion of the piston causes the vibration of the panels, thereby, improving the overall air coupling of the piston to the external environment, e.g., the listening room. Further aspects of the invention provide an improved driver for use, e.g., in the aforementioned loudspeaker. The driver comprises a three-part piston having first and second diaphragms coupled back-to-back with one another and having a voice coil face-mounted (or front-mounted) within the second diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a loudspeaker comprising an enclosure, a driver that is mounted in the enclosure, and an active diaphragm that is coupled to the driver to generate frontward-directed sound waves (“front waves”) directed outwardly from the enclosure and backward-directed sound waves (“back waves”) directed inwardly into the enclosure. A foam member, disposed within the enclosure and/or on an inner surface of a wall thereof, attenuates components of the back wave as a function of frequency, e.g., in the manner of a low-pass filter. The foam member comprises a foam of rigid material, namely, by way of example, a foam of metal, ceramic, carbon, silicon, glass, and/or epoxy.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, electronic devices with improved radiators (or “passive drivers”) comprising an elastomerically mounted mass in order to improve sound reproduction fidelity. The mass comprises a component of the device not normally used for such purpose—e.g.

Abstract: Improved loudspeakers, systems and components are adapted to interconnect with many forms of communication media. In one embodiment, a speaker is mountable within a receptacle. The speaker includes a magnetic driver and a diaphragm mounted to a frame. The frame includes a mounting member extending from a surface of the frame behind the flange plane. The mounting member is engagable in a notch formed in the receptacle for securing the speaker within the receptacle. In another embodiment, a low-profile loudspeaker has a front-mounted magnetic driver disposed within a cone-shaped acoustic diaphragm. The magnetic driver includes a first rare earth magnet centrally disposed within an electromagnetic shielding material. In another embodiment, a low-profile, two-way loudspeaker includes a cone-shaped diaphragm and a dome-shaped (tweeter) diaphragm. A front-mounted magnetic driver comprises first and second rare earth magnets each centrally disposed within electromagnetic shielding material.