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.

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 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 speaker has a magnet structure mounted ahead of the speaker diaphragm to produce a shallow compact unit. The magnet structure defines a flux gap, and a voice coil residing in the flux gap is connected to a main diaphragm such that drive current applied to the voice coil moves the diaphragm to generate sound. The voice coil and magnet structure provide a flux gap at the rear of the magnet structure, ahead of and centered on the main diaphragm, while the magnet occupies space within the cone, freeing up space in the rear. In one embodiment, the magnet structure has an additional flux gap located at its forward end and the speaker includes an additional diaphragm driven by a coil positioned in the additional flux gap. The main diaphragm and additional diaphragm are better positioned to maintain a common sound center for enhanced spatial fidelity and different tuning techniques present a broad flat response below crossover to form a pinpoint sound source of wide angular coverage.

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: 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.

Abstract: A speaker has a magnet structure mounted ahead of the speaker diaphragm to produce a shallow compact unit. The magnet structure defines a flux gap, and a voice coil residing in the flux gap is connected to a main diaphragm such that drive current applied to the voice coil moves the diaphragm to generate sound. The voice coil and magnet structure provide a flux gap at the rear of the magnet structure, ahead of and centered on the main diaphragm, while the magnet occupies space within the cone, freeing up space in the rear. In one embodiment, the magnet structure has an additional flux gap located at its forward end and the speaker includes an additional diaphragm driven by a coil positioned in the additional flux gap. The main diaphragm and additional diaphragm are better positioned to maintain a common sound center for enhanced spatial fidelity and different tuning techniques present a broad flat response below crossover to form a pinpoint sound source of wide angular coverage.

Abstract: A speaker has an annular magnet structure. First and second annular magnets are arranged concentrically with each other and connected by a shunt at one end and a pole-defining structure at the other end to concentrate magnetic flux in a cylindrical voice coil gap. The shunt and pole structure are stacked such that the combined magnetic assembly has an opening extending centrally therethrough. A voice coil rides in the cylindrical magnetic flux gap and its leads are brought out through the opening to the other side of the magnet. When used with an enclosure, the diaphragm of the speaker may communicate through the central opening with the volume of a tuned enclosure extending behind the speaker, or the opening may serve as a port of the enclosure, allowing further degrees of control over total acoustics. In one embodiment, annular magnets of axial polarity are oppositely poled, and are positioned concentrically with a space between them.

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 speaker has an annular magnet structure. First and second annular magnets are arranged concentrically with each other and connected by a shunt at one end and a pole-defining structure at the other end to concentrate magnetic flux in a cylindrical voice coil gap. The shunt and pole structure are stacked such that the combined magnetic assembly has an opening extending centrally therethrough. A voice coil rides in the cylindrical magnetic flux gap and its leads are brought out through the opening to the other side of the magnet. When used with an enclosure, the diaphragm of the speaker may communicate through the central opening with the volume of a tuned enclosure extending behind the speaker, or the opening may serve as a port of the enclosure, allowing further degrees of control over total acoustics.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a diaphragm with a voice coil disposed about its perimeter and extending in a gap into which the flux of an annular rare earth magnet is focused. An opening behind the diaphragm communicates through the speaker frame. The voice coil may have two or more windings that are connected in parallel, and may, e.g., be layered on top of one another, so that the impedance of the coil, as well as its depth in the front/back direction of motion, are low. The voice coil is preferably implemented using a polyamide form or bobbin, which has patterned lead-in conductors embedded therein to bring power to wire windings on the perimeter of the coil. The lead-in conductors extend to, or through, the central opening of a ring magnet, providing a robust ribbon input connection.

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.

Abstract: A loud speaker according to the invention is mountable within a receptacle. The loudspeaker includes a magnetic driver and a diagragm mounted to a frame. The froame 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. The loudspeaker enclosure has perforated layer shaped to define its inner volume. A honeycomb layer surrounds that perforated layer; and semi-rigid layer surrounds the honeycomb layer and forms the exterior wall.

Abstract: A speaker has a magnet structure mounted ahead of the speaker diaphragm to produce a shallow compact unit. The magnet structure defines a flux gap, and a voice coil residing in the flux gap is connected to a main diaphragm such that drive current applied to the voice coil moves the diaphragm to generate sound. The voice coil and magnet structure provide a flux gap at the rear of the magnet structure, ahead of and centered on the main diaphragm, while the magnet occupies space within the cone, freeing up space in the rear. In one embodiment, the magnet structure has an additional flux gap located at its forward end and the speaker includes an additional diaphragm driven by a coil positioned in the additional flux gap. The main diaphragm and additional diaphragm are better positioned to maintain a common sound center for enhanced spatial fidelity and different tuning techniques present a broad flat response below crossover to form a pinpoint sound source of wide angular coverage.

Abstract: A speaker has an annular magnet structure. First and second annular magnets are arranged concentrically with each other and connected by a shunt at one end and a pole-defining structure at the other end to concentrate magnetic flux in a cylindrical voice coil gap. The shunt and pole structure are stacked such that the combined magnetic assembly has an opening extending centrally therethrough. A voice coil rides in the cylindrical magnetic flux gap and its leads are brought out through the opening to the other side of the magnet. When used with an enclosure, the diaphragm of the speaker may communicate through the central opening with the volume of a tuned enclosure extending behind the speaker, or the opening may serve as a port of the enclosure, allowing further degrees of control over total acoustics. In one embodiment, annular magnets of axial polarity are oppositely poled, and are positioned concentrically with a space between them.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a diaphragm with a voice coil disposed about its perimeter and extending in a gap into which the flux of an annular rare earth magnet is focused. An opening behind the diaphragm communicates through the speaker frame. The voice coil may have two or more windings that are connected in parallel, and may, e.g., be layered on top of one another, so that the impedance of the coil, as well as its depth in the front/back direction of motion, are low. The voice coil is preferably implemented using a polyimide form or bobbin, which has patterned lead-in conductors embedded therein to bring power to wire windings on the perimeter of the coil. The lead-in conductors extend to, or through, the central opening of a ring magnet, providing a robust ribbon input connection. The ribbon lead-in may be symmetrical, and the central opening further provides an air channel that couples to an auxiliary chamber for enhanced sound.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a diaphragm with a voice coil disposed about its perimeter and extending in a gap into which the flux of an annular rare earth magnet is focused. An opening behind the diaphragm communicates through the speaker frame. The voice coil may have two or more windings that are connected in parallel, and may, e.g., be layered on top of one another, so that the impedance of the coil, as well as its depth in the front/back direction of motion, are low. The voice coil is preferably implemented using a polyimide form or bobbin, which has patterned lead-in conductors embedded therein to bring power to wire windings on the perimeter of the coil. The lead-in conductors extend to, or through, the central opening of a ring magnet, providing a robust ribbon input connection. The ribbon lead-in may be symmetrical, and the central opening further provides an air channel that couples to an auxiliary chamber for enhanced sound.

Abstract: A speaker has an annular magnet structure. First and second annular magnets are arranged concentrically with each other and connected by a shunt at one end and a pole-defining structure at the other end to concentrate magnetic flux in a cylindrical voice coil gap. The shunt and pole structure are stacked such that the combined magnetic assembly has an opening extending centrally therethrough. A voice coil rides in the cylindrical magnetic flux gap and its leads are brought out through the opening to the other side of the magnet. When used with an enclosure, the diaphragm of the speaker may communicate through the central opening with the volume of a tuned enclosure extending behind the speaker, or the opening may serve as a port of the enclosure, allowing further degrees of control over total acoustics. In one embodiment, annular magnets of axial polarity are oppositely poled, and are positioned concentrically with a space between them.

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 speaker has a magnet structure mounted ahead of the speaker diaphragm to produce a shallow compact unit. The magnet structure defines a flux gap, and a voice coil residing in the flux gap is connected to a main diaphragm such that drive current applied to the voice coil moves the diaphragm to generate sound. The voice coil and magnet structure provide a flux gap at the rear of the magnet structure, ahead of and centered on the main diaphragm, while the magnet occupies space within the cone, freeing up space in the rear. In one embodiment, the magnet structure has an additional flux gap located at its forward end and the speaker includes an additional diaphragm driven by a coil positioned in the additional flux gap. The main diaphragm and additional diaphragm are better positioned to maintain a common sound center for enhanced spatial fidelity and different tuning techniques present a broad flat response below crossover to form a pinpoint sound source of wide angular coverage.