Abstract: A system for generating at least one remote virtual speaker location in connection with at least a partial reflective environment in combination with an audio speaker for creating multiple sound effects including a virtual sound source from the reflective environment which is perceived by a listener as an original sound source, by generating a primary direct audio output by emitting audio compression waves toward a listener, and generating a secondary indirect audio output from at least one virtual speaker remote from the audio speakers, by emitting ultrasonic sound from at least one parametric speaker associated with the audio speakers and oriented toward at least one reflective environment which is remote from the audio speakers, thereby indirectly generating sound from a reflective environment which is perceived as a virtual speaker, and synchronizing the primary audio output of the audio speakers with a secondary audio output from the at least one virtual speaker such that the listener hears a plurality o

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer which has at least one stator member with an operating surface and a suspended emitter diaphragm spaced from the operating surface of the stator member to enable the diaphragm to oscillate in response to an applied signal voltage. The diaphragm has increased stiffness in a direction along the diaphragm and within the emitter section to enable the emitter diaphragm to oscillate without applying tension in the direction of stiffness. A clamp member secures the diaphragm to maintain the diaphragm in a fixed position relative to the stator to minimize distortion. The clamp member is positioned to define at least two isolated emitter sections for enhancing the frequency response of the transducer. A method is also provided for generating audio output from an electroacoustic transducer.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer which includes at least one stator member with an operating surface positioned adjacent to an emitter diaphragm. The stator member is comprised of at least one stiff sheet of paper having perforations for acoustic transparency. The stator also includes a means to develop electrical conductivity and to receive an applied voltage. An emitter diaphragm is suspended adjacent to and spaced a sufficient distance from the operating surface of the stator member to enable diaphragm oscillation in response to an applied signal voltage. This arrangement permits diaphragm movement within at least one emitter section without creating restrictive contact on the operating surface of the stator member. The diaphragm may be composed of paper with electrical conductivity sufficient to receive an acoustic signal voltage from a voltage source and to vibrate as an acoustic emitter with respect to forces applied at the stator member.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a bandpass loudspeaker enclosure includes three sub chambers, a first one being a non-Helmholtz-reflex chamber of a sealed acoustic suspension construction, and the remaining two chambers utilizing two passive acoustic radiators to achieve two Helmholtz-reflex vent tunings and a multiple of low pass acoustic filters that provide an acoustic bandpass with a substantially 2nd order high pass characteristic combined with an extended, steeper, at least 4th order slope low pass stop band characteristic.

Abstract: A speaker device comprising an electrostatic emitter film which is responsive to an applied variable voltage to emit sonic output based on a desired sonic signal, used in combination with at least a first foam member having a forward face, an intermediate core section and a rear face. The forward face is composed of a composition having sufficient stiffness to support the electrostatic film and includes conductive properties which enable application of a variable voltage to supply the desired sonic signal. The surface of the forward face includes small cavities having surrounding wall structure defining each cavity which terminates at contacting edges approximately coincident with the forward face of the foam member. The film is applied to the forward face of the foam member and biased in direct contact with the contacting edges of the forward face.

Abstract: A method for providing multiple speaker locations around a listener in a room with a sound source at a single location.

Abstract: An electrostatic transducer having respective first and second stators, each having an interior surface, which are displaced and juxtaposed, and including a flexible diaphragm leaving a conductive layer and being operable as an electrostatic emitter. The diaphragm includes an emitter portion which is interposed between the respective interior surfaces of the first and second stators and is configured as a nonplanar film characterized by a continuous array of peaks and valleys. The emitter portion of the diaphragm is positioned adjacent, but substantially unattached to the respective interior surfaces of the first and second stators. The peaks of the emitter portion of the diaphragm may contact the interior surfaces, or may be displaced therefrom. Also disclosed is a method for generating audio output from an electrostatic transducer utilizing a nonplanar emitter portion of a flexible, film diaphragm.

Abstract: An electrostatic speaker device, comprising a first foam stator having an interior surface, and a second foam stator having an interior surface positioned adjacent to the interior surface of the first stator. The interior surfaces of the first and second foam stators include electrically conductive cellular structure sufficiently small in cell size to develop a substantially continuous electrostatic charge dispersion across the respective first and second interior surfaces. At least one diaphragm is disposed between the first and second foam stators and includes an electrically conductive layer responsive to electrostatic forces developed by the respective first and second stators.

Abstract: An electrostatic speaker device, comprising a first stator which is substantially acoustically transparent to audio output and a second stator spaced from the first stator at a distance which defines a charge capacitive region between the first and second stators which operates as an electrostatic field capable of driving a charge sensitive diaphragm as a speaker element. At least one charge sensitive diaphragm is sandwiched between the first and second stators and includes a conductive layer for being responsive to the electrostatic field. Support structure is coupled to at least one of the first and second stators and is attached at a portion of a perimeter of the diaphragm in a manner that imposes tension across the diaphragm to enable the first and second stators to drive the diaphragm as the speaker element.

Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure system including a first primary enclosure volume, a second primary enclosure volume and a dividing wall positioned between the first and second primary enclosure volumes and having a first opening therein. At least one electro-acoustic transducer is mounted at the opening on the dividing wall and includes a movable diaphragm having a first surface area side and a second surface area side. The first surface area side communicates into the first primary enclosure volume and the second surface area side of the movable diaphragm communicates into the second primary enclosure volume. At least one differential area passive radiator is provided, including (i) a primary diaphragm surface area having a primary peripheral attachment surround, and (ii) secondary diaphragm surface area having at least a secondary peripheral attachment surround.

Abstract: An audio frequency amplifier having a switching converter comprising source and sink rectifiers configured for sourcing and sinking current, in which the source and sink supply voltages of the rectifiers track the audio frequency signal being amplified. The amplifier has a circuit or element for discharging the output capacitors of the source and sink rectifier as necessary to prevent floating of the source and sink supply voltages. The discharging element can be a locking capacitor or one or more Zener diodes connected across the source and sink supply voltages. The discharge circuit can be one or more switching transistors connected across the freewheeling diodes of the source and sink rectifiers to actively pull the source and sink voltages down to discharge the output capacitors and thereby prevent floating. Low voltage rated parts can be used in the output stage amplifier, and in certain configurations a high voltage low current preamplifier stage can be eliminated.