Abstract: A thin loudspeaker is provided that produces a superior frequency response and a diffuse acoustical pattern using magnetic drivers, acoustical plates, or a combination of magnetic drivers and acoustical plates. The invention contains a specially designed crossover network and a novel enclosure design. The novel enclosure includes a septum and cross bracing which enables the invention to realize superior performance in a thin loudspeaker design. The invention encompasses methods for improving the performance of an acoustical plate which include (1) placing acoustical plate motor elements on the plate in a manner that avoids rotational, mirror, and translational symmetry, (2) using acoustical plate motor elements of different shapes and sizes to stimulate the plate, and (3) using an acoustical plate that has an asymmetric shape. All of the embodiments of the invention may be covered with a decorative cover and hung on a wall like a picture or used to form a panel in a home entertainment center.

Abstract: A decorative speaker cover is disclosed that transforms any loudspeaker into a work of art. The decorative speaker cover of the invention consists of a sheet of material stretched across and adhered to a support frame. The sheet of material contains an artistic work like a picture, design, custom photograph, print, etc. The invention also includes methods for attaching the decorative speaker covers to a loudspeaker cabinet. The disclosed methods allow speaker covers to be readily changed.

Abstract: An active plus selective headset system for provision of active attenuation of broadband noise as well as speech filtering comprising a headset with reference microphones, residual microphones and speakers on each of a pair of open backed muffs and a controller means.

Abstract: In the area of active noise cancellation headsets, the noisy environment often encountered in the link with communication systems causes lack of intelligibility on the outward communications path. Consequently another in-wire cancellation channel to enhance the intelligibility is required. This additional processing channel adds to the cost of the headset. The invention uses residual microphones (12) to reproduce the sound that remains in the ear after cancellation so that the controller (13) can make further adjustments through filter (15) and LMS adapter (14) to the anti-noise signal.