Abstract: An acoustic bracket system comprising a bracket section containing an insert holder; coupling means connectable to the bracket section; and an insert securable to the insert holder and adapted to hold one or more acoustic transducers is provided. In one embodiment the coupling means comprises two flanges. In one embodiment the coupling means comprises a plurality of hooks. The acoustic bracket system is tunable and securable to framing members which are designed to support a sounding board. In one embodiment, the insert is a conformable foam insert with an opening into which each of the one or more acoustic transducers is securable. The acoustic bracket system is acoustically tunable with mass, stiffness and damping to enhance the audio performance of the one or more acoustic transducers.

Abstract: A sound transducer (10) for imparting acoustical energy directly to a solid surface (12) while achieving the sound quality and frequency response found only in conventional diaphragm speakers. The sound transducer (10) comprises a pair of symmetrical magnet assemblies (16, 18), a pair of symmetrical voice coils (66, 68), and an actuator (22). The magnet assemblies (16, 18) each present an area of concentrated magnetic flux (60, 62). The symmetrical voice coils (66, 68) are positioned in the vicinity of the areas of concentrated magnetic flux and are operable to receive an alternating audio signal which causes the voice coils to move relative to the magnet assemblies. The actuator (22) moves with the voice coils and includes a foot (70) for coupling with a solid surface to impart movement to the solid surface and thereby produce sound when the voice coils receive the audio signal. The actuator (22) is coupled to the voice coils (66, 68) by an elongated shaft (24).

Abstract: An excursion limiter (10) broadly comprises a voltage controlled filter (40) to suppress an audio signal according to a selected threshold at a selected frequency using a control voltage. The voltage controlled filter (40) preferably produces an inversion signal at the frequency, amplifies the inversion signal according to the control voltage to produce a suppression signal, and combines the audio signal with the suppression signal, thus suppressing the audio signal at the frequency and creating a resultant signal. A control voltage generator (42) preferably generates the control voltage using a frequency compensation filter (58), a full-wave rectifier (60), a precision half-wave rectifier (61) and a non-linear compensator (62). The frequency compensation filter (58) isolates an initial component which is rectified by the full-wave rectifier (60), shifted, and rectified again at the precision rectifier (61) before being essentially flattened in a non-linear manner by the non-linear compensator (62).

Abstract: A speaker grille (10) comprises a cloth (18) and a frame (20) to support the cloth (18). The cloth (18) is preferably stretched taunt over the frame (20) for minimal movement in response to speaker excursion. The frame (20) includes a plurality of sidewalls (29) defining a plurality of slots (30) through which sound waves may travel between a smooth surface (26) supporting the cloth (18) and a mounting surface (28) with which the frame (12) mounts to a speaker box (12). The slots (30) preferably penetrate all four sides of the frame (20) and may also penetrate all four corners of the frame (20). The slots (30) form channels that act as waveguides and allow sound waves to travel from speakers (16) through the frame (20). The frame (20) and the channels may be configured to direct the sound waves at various angles to the speaker box (12).

Abstract: A coaxial speaker assembly (10) with reduced sound distortion, sound time delay, and polar response distortion. The coaxial speaker assembly (10) includes a high-frequency speaker system (16) mounted coaxially with and fitting within a lower-frequency speaker system (14). A baffle (50) is secured to a diaphragm (48) of the high-frequency speaker system (16). A step-down ledge (52) is circumferentially positioned adjacent to the baffle (50) and extends outwardly therefrom. A portion of the sound waves emanating from the high-frequency diaphragm (48) are reflected off the step-down ledge (52).

Abstract: A driver control circuit (10) that enhances a steep crossover slope while permitting selective shaping or adjusting of its in-band frequency response with a minimum number of components. The driver control circuit includes a signal connector (16) for connecting with a source of audio signals (12); a speaker connector (18) for connecting with a speaker (14); and a frequency passing circuit (20) coupled between the signal connector (16) and the speaker connector (18) for passing a selected range of frequencies of the audio signals to the speaker (14) and for attenuating other frequencies. The frequency passing circuit (20) includes components forming a traditional low-pass or high-pass filter network and a resistive component (R1) connected in parallel across the second series mounted component of the low-pass or high-pass filter network.

Abstract: A speaker enclosure (10) comprising a speaker box (12) having an opening (27) and adapted for mounting within a wall (20) upon a wall stud (22); a compressible gasket (14) affixed about the box opening (27); a faceplate (16); and a plurality of independently adjustable coupling mechanisms (18) for coupling the faceplate (16) with the box (12). The protruding, uncompressed gasket (14) is compressed by the faceplate (16) and the coupling mechanisms (18), which may be independently adjusted to provide an optimum and substantially uniform degree of separation between faceplate (16) and wall (20), thereby reducing distortion, vibration, and damage due to undesirable contact therebetween. A spring (160) is provided to prevent over-compression of the gasket (14) due to heavy or low frequency speakers, thereby facilitating maintaining the uniform degree of separation; and a spacer (162) is provided to maintain the spring (160) in its operating position.

Abstract: A speaker enclosure (10) comprising a speaker box (12) having an opening (27) and adapted for mounting within a wall (20) upon a wall stud (22); a compressible gasket (14) affixed about the box opening (27); a faceplate (16); and a plurality of independently adjustable coupling mechanisms (18) for coupling the faceplate (16) with the box (12). The uncompressed gasket (14) protrudes beyond the wall surface (26) until the faceplate (16) is brought into contact with and compresses the gasket (14) by the coupling mechanisms (18) which may be independently adjusted to provide an optimum and substantially uniform degree of separation between faceplate (16) and wall (20), thereby reducing distortion, vibration, and damage due to undesirable contact therebetween.

Abstract: A mounting device (10) for mounting a speaker enclosure (12) in an elevated position at an intersection of two walls (14,16) or similar surfaces, wherein the device (10) facilitates easily locating supportive wall studs (18,20) underlying wall sheathings 22,24, and the device (10) is adapted to couple with and support the speaker enclosure (12) in such a manner as to allow for removing and replacing the speaker enclosure (12) from or on the device (10) without removing a corner bracket (26,226) component of the device (10) from the wall (14,16).

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an audio speaker within a wall such that the apparatus and speaker are attached to and supported by one or more wall studs and so that a face of the audio speaker is substantially flush with the wall. The apparatus broadly comprises a substantially rectangular box having a backwall and four upstanding sidewalls. One or more of the sidewalls is provided with an aperture, and inside the aperture is located a fixture assembly. The fixture assembly comprises a spacer mount through which is threaded a spacer having a bore. The spacer is threadably extendable and retractable, and can be extended to a length sufficient to contact the nearest wall stud. A fixture is then inserted into and through the bore in the spacer and is driven or screwed into the wall stud to as to secure the apparatus and speaker in position.

Abstract: An in-wall speaker mounting apparatus adapted to attach to adjacent studs in a wall is provided. Such stud attachment permits the weight of the apparatus as well as any speakers attached to the apparatus to be supported by the studs and not the wall in which the apparatus is mounted. The apparatus comprises a backwall and four upstanding sidewalls. At least one sidewall or the backwall is provided with an access hole which serves as an entry point for speaker wire or the like. At least one, and preferably two opposing sidewalls are provided with a pair of apertures each having a fixture assembly mounted thereto. The fixture assembly comprises a spacer mount having a flanged portion flush with the exterior portion of the sidewall and an exteriorly threaded region extending into the apparatus. A flanged hex nut is threaded onto the threaded region of the spacer mount with the flanged portion of the hex nut flush with the interior portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: An audio speaker (10, 76) has a housing (12, 78) with a front panel (14, 80) secured thereto, and with a grille (18) removably mounted to the front panel (14, 80). A series of combined connection assemblies (20, 84) serve to connect both the panel (14, 80) to the housing (12, 78) and the grille (18) to the panel (14, 80). The assemblies (20, 84) include a socket (50) which is seated within a panel opening (34), with couplers (62) securing the panel (14, 80) to the housing (12, 78). An insert (70) is threadably received within the socket (50). Connectors (42) secured to the grille frame (38, 82) include a bifurcated resilient ball (68) which is frictionally received within an associated insert (70).

Abstract: An audio crossover circuit for use with audio speakers is disclosed. The audio crossover circuit includes a pair of inductors that are series connected and inductively coupled and a pair of capacitors. The inductors and capacitors cooperate for achieving a low-pass crossover slope in excess of 30 dB/octave within one half of an octave of the crossover frequency, thereby eliminating the need for additional inductors and capacitors. The crossover circuit also includes a resistor in series with one of the capacitors for further enhancing the crossover slope beyond an octave above the crossover frequency.

Abstract: An audio crossover circuit for use with audio speakers is disclosed. The audio crossover circuit includes a pair of inductors that are series connected and inductively coupled and a pair of capacitors. The inductors and capacitors cooperate for achieving a low-pass crossover slope in excess of 30 dB/octave within one half of an octave of the crossover frequency, thereby eliminating the need for additional inductors and capacitors.