Subject: Re: [linux-audio-dev] New speakers being developed.
From: Scott McNab (sdm_AT_fractalgraphics.com.au)
Date: Mon May 28 2001 - 04:55:59 EEST
"Richard C. Burnett" wrote:
>
> I would think there would have to be moving parts of some sort, like the
> plastic itself, since sound is created through disturbances in the air (or
> any transmission medium). I wonder what kind of distortion they are going
> to get with bass frequencies. I think the problem is going to be, here
> you apply a signal to the plastic, how long after the signal is removed
> does the plastic continue to move and affect the next sound. Then I
> wonder, what about the size, its sure to affect the quality based on the
> frequency, as those plastic sheets if they are suspended at each end are
> going to have some resenant frequency. Does sound neat though.
The best idea I've heard was from a while ago where someone has made
speakers that emit sound modulated at ultrasonic frequencies way above
normal hearing range. By directing two speakers at different angles the
sound waves would recombine in a single region in space and would
interfere with each other in such a way that the ultrasonic carrier
frequencies would cancel each other out and the listener would hear
only the resulting audio.
Apparantly its possible to achieve excellent dynamic range and frequency
response since the sound volume and quality is not dependent on
accurately
shifting large volumes of air.
Obvious drawback (or feature perhaps?) is that the sound can only be
heard if the listener's head is in exactly the right place - otherwise
you
can't hear anything at all. Plus there is the general problem I'd have
being comfortable with exposing my eardrums to high-powered ultrasound
for extended periods of time!
Scott
>
> In case you all didn't know, IBM has developed a flexable transistor that
> is created at low temperatures. Now, they are working with this in
> building a new type of screen. The article I read said something like
> imagine rolling out your TV screen onto a wall. I think though that the
> real problem will still be in the back lighting, but they think these new
> transistors will enhance displays tremendously. I just hope they work to
> make them less noisy so I can use some sort of flat panel with my studio
> setup.
>
> Rick
>
> On Fri, 25 May 2001, Steve Harris wrote:
>
> > On Fri, May 25, 2001 at 09:13:51AM +0200, Adriaan Pelzer wrote:
> > > What's the difference between these and Electrostatic speakers?
> >
> > If its th same flat panel speakers I've heard then the sound quality isn;t
> > a patch on electrostatics, but these have just tiny moving parts on a
> > perspex panel, wheres electro statics are huge, require massive amps and
> > the mylar sheets do move a fair bit.
> >
> > - Steve
> >
>
> +------------------------+-----------------------+
> | T a l i t y | +------+ |
> +------------------------+ +----+-+ | |
> | Richard Burnett | +-+ | |
> | Senior Design Engineer +---+ +----+ |
> | burnett_AT_tality.com | | |
> | | | |
> | Phone: 919.380.3014 | |
> | Fax: 919.380.3903 | | |
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