Abstract: An improved method and an apparatus uniformly transmit sounds over large angles of coverage. An acoustic source is attached to a loudspeaker horn with two straight outer side walls and two straight upper and lower outer walls, the projected extensions of which converge at an intersection point behind the acoustic source. The loudspeaker horn also has two inner side walls, and upper and lower inner walls which curve inwardly to the point of attachment with the acoustic source. The sound waves emanating from the loudspeaker horn have an apparent point of origin at the intersection point behind the acoustic source. A plurality of such loudspeaker horns and acoustic sources are positioned in a radial array so that all of the apparent points of origin of the loudspeakers are substantially coincident, creating a coherent signal without interference from overlapping sound waves produced by adjacent loudspeakers.

Abstract: A multiple-driver, single horn loudspeaker is disclosed. The loudspeaker comprises an enclosure having a centerline and a single horn mounted therein. The horn has a throat located in the enclosure, and a mouth which is located at an open end of the enclosure. At least one high frequency driver is used to produce high frequency sound which is directed through a passage located along the centerline and are coupled to the throat of the horn. Low frequency drivers for producing low frequency sounds are either located on either side of the centerline and are also coupled to the throat of the horn, or a single low frequency driver is located along the centerline and connected to the throat of the horn. The single horn acts as a waveguide for the sound produced by both the low and high frequency drivers.

Abstract: A detection circuit for detecting the failure or disconnection of a sense line in an audio processing system that provides an audio output signal that drives the input of an audio power amplifier. The audio power amplifier drives a speaker. The audio processing system includes an input for receiving a first feedback signal on a sense line from the output of the power amplifier. The audio processing system is responsive to the first feedback signal to control the amount of power provided to the input of the power amplifier and thus to the speaker. The detection circuit also receives the first feedback signal. The detection circuit further receives a second feedback signal from the output of the audio processing system prior to the input of the power amplifier. The magnitude of the second feedback signal is compared to the magnitude of the first feedback signal to determine whether the sense line is providing the first feedback signal from the output of the power amplifier.

Abstract: A high frequency compression driver is disclosed in which the driver assembly is secured by two threaded studs. The studs not only hold the cover, magnet assembly and horn together, but also play a vital role in ensuring that the various elements of the assembly do not shift with respect to each other. The studs also serve as a basis for centering the voice coil precisely between the poles of the driver magnet. Although the magnet assembly is manufactured with ordinary machine tolerances, the diaphragm and voice coil are centered through the use of two precisely machined fixtures. The cover of the assembly acts as an effective heat sink for the diaphragm to keep its temperature low and improve the reliability of the device. The diaphragm itself is manufactured at low cost, is replaceable and is given structural integrity by the cover and the pole ring.