Abstract: A vehicle sound system is disclosed that includes a set of speakers, a head unit and a disc changer. In addition to a radio, the head unit also includes a means for playing music downloaded from a computer. In one embodiment, the music downloaded from the computer is stored in a compressed format on a removable hard disk drive. The music can be organized using play lists. Software is used to program the head unit to communicate with the disc changer. In one embodiment, the software is replaceable so that the head unit can communicate with different disc changers. The head unit also includes a control panel for operating the head unit and the disc changer.

Abstract: Loudspeaker and other transducers of the dual-voice-coil/dual-magnetic-gap type can be improved by the addition of one or more annular shorting rings strategically located in the vicinity of the two magnetic gaps. The shorting rings have no effect on a steady state magnetic field but act in opposition to any change in flux density or any displacement of the flux lines such as those that occur under the loading imposed when the voice coils are driven hard with audio frequency current. The location of the shorting rings determines their effect: location close to a voice coil reduces the voice coil inductance, location entirely within the magnetic flux loop centerline favors reduction of second harmonic distortion and higher order even harmonic distortion, a centered location on the flux loop centerline, i.e.

Abstract: For adjustably mounting an enclosure such as a loudspeaker to an architectural mass such as on a wall, a ball-and-socket swivel mounting mechanism is enclosed within a rear region of the enclosure, thus eliminating unsightly conventional external swivel-mounting apparatus. A mounting ball, at the end of a shaft cantilevered to the wall, enters the mounting mechanism through a circular opening in a central region of the rear panel of the enclosure. The ball is clamped between a fixed jaw and a movable jaw actuated by an adjusting screw via which the jaw-clamping force can be applied, adjusted and released by a tool inserted through an opening in the front of the enclosure and directed by an internal guide tube to engage the adjusting screw; thus all installation, orientation adjustment, clamping in place and removal of the enclosure can be performed conveniently from the front of the enclosure.

Abstract: For electric coil windings, particularly in moving coils such as the voice coil of a heavy duty bass loudspeaker or other electro-acoustic transducer, the present invention has found metallic materials, as alternatives to copper or aluminum in the voice coil wire, that can provide increased available maximum SPL (sound pressure level) exceeding an empirical limit, just under 120 dB/1 m, that has been found to apply to various loudspeakers of known art regardless of efficiency and structural differences. Through study of known art regarding this limitation and theoretical analysis of the factors in voice coil structure and design that limit the maximum attainable SPL, a novel basis for selecting voice coil wire material has been developed.

Abstract: Total thermal management accomplishes self-cooling from acoustic air movement in a light-weight loudspeaker system for professional sound applications: a cast aluminum front panel, forming the front baffle portion of a total enclosure, is configured to include on the front panel a horn opening, a woofer opening with a ring mount for a conventional woofer cone, a pair of bass reflex ports, and, extending rearwardly, a woofer frame with a mount for a conventional woofer driver, a horn structure with a threaded mount for a conventional horn driver, and an amplifier mounting shelf, all thermally combined by a pattern of generally vertical integral cooling vanes. The lower portions of the vanes are shaped to form structural legs of the woofer frame, and their upper portions are integrally attached to the horn. A shelf for mounting an amplifier in the speaker enclosure is formed by a transverse cooling vane.

Abstract: For transducers such as loudspeakers and actuators which must operate at unusually low or high ambient temperatures, a robust resilient annular support member for mounting the vibratable diaphragm extends outwardly therefrom to the main frame. The support member is formed from silicone elastomer or a silicone rubber composite in a molding process which may be a constant temperature process, preferably transfer molding. A diaphragm and a surround member may be bonded together in the molding process by inserting the edge of the diaphragm into the cavity mold. The molding techniques of silicone rubber composites containing pulp and weave fiber grades of commercially available mix materials allow transfer, compression or injection molding of diaphragm suspension system members with good control of the mechanical properties and thickness.

Abstract: This invention regards an arrangement to correct the linear and nonlinear transfer behavior of electro-acoustical transducers, consisting of an electro-acoustical transducer, a distortion-reduction network connected to its input terminals, and a support system to fit the distortion-reduction network to the transducer. The distortion-reduction network shows nonlinear transfer characteristics obtained from modelling the transducer and thus changes the electrical signal such that the nonlinear effects of the network compensate for the nonlinear behavior of connected transducer. The result is an overall system with reduced distortion and improved linear transfer behavior. A fitting technique and system is used to change the parameters of the electrical network automatically to fit the actual transfer characteristics of the distortion reduction system to the transducer. Several mechanisms, unique to each transducer, are responsible for generation of nonlinear distortion.

Abstract: A speaker moounting assembly wherein the speaker is supported on a ceiling or wall construction. The baffle associated with the speaker includes a grille face exposed on the exterior of the ceiling or wall and an opposed interior face. Brackets are supported on the interior face, and frame clips are connected to the brackets. These clips include an inwardly extending portion which provides for the attachment of a hairpin spring. A ring is located in spaced relationship with the interior face of the baffle, and openings are defined by the ring for receiving each hairpin spring. In particular, the hairpin spring includes spring arms adapted to engage opposite side edges of the ring openings with the arms being urged apart for thereby urging the baffle toward the ring. The baffle is adapted to be pulled away from the ring in opposition to the action of the spring arms for permitting access to the speaker.

Abstract: An improved compression driver has a phasing plug with air passages coupling the compression region of the loudspeaker to the throat of the loudspeaker. An auxiliary air passage combines with a plurality of inner primary passages, which may be of the annular, radial or saltshaker form, to couple variations in pressure from the region around the voice coil to the throat of the speaker.

Abstract: An acoustic diaphragm is made of metallic sheet material forming a raised pattern of the material and unraised sectors of the material. The diaphragm is of the dome-shaped variety. The raised pattern incorporates sets of raised strip elements. There is a set of such elements extending radially from the vicinity of the apex. There is a set extending along areas of the sheet material between the radially extending elements, this second set including pairs of strip elements which intersect one another along such areas. There is also a set of circumferentially extending raised strip elements. The form of the radially extending elements changes along their lengths; for example, they rise to levels which vary along their lengths.

Abstract: Opposed side walls of a loudspeaker horn are constructed to direct portions of a sound beam toward a target over different preselected included angles, producing an incident beam which is substantially coextensive with the target. The side walls preferably extend downstream at the preselected angles over a distance at least comparable to a maximum wavelength at which the horn is to be used.