Tech Support
- Technical support from FUSION Electronics
What are Thiele Small Parameters ?
Thiele/Small" commonly refers to a set of electromechanical parameters that define the specified low frequency performance of a loudspeaker driver. These parameters are published in specification sheets by driver manufacturers so that designers have a guide in selecting off-the-shelf drivers for loudspeaker designs. Many of the parameters are strictly defined only at the resonant frequency, but the approach is generally applicable in the frequency range where the diaphragm motion is largely pistonic, i.e. when the entire cone moves in and out as a unit without cone breakup.
Using these parameters, a loudspeaker designer may simulate the position, velocity and acceleration of the diaphragm, the input impedance and the sound output of a system comprising a loudspeaker and enclosure. Rather than purchase off-the-shelf components, loudspeaker design engineers often define desired performance and work backwards to a set of parameters and manufacture a driver with said characteristics or order it from a driver manufacturer. This process of generating parameters from a target response is known as synthesis. Thiele/Small parameters are named after A. Neville Thiele of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and Richard H. Small of the University of Sydney, who pioneered this line of analysis for loudspeakers. These measurements are also used for designing enclosures for Subwoofers.
A simple guide to the Ohms Law.
What is the difference between a 2 way speaker and a 3 way speaker ?
A 2- way speaker, also known as a Co-Axial speaker, has a seperate tweeter mounted on a pole assembly in the centre of the speaker. The tweeter has a built in crossover which seperates the high frequencies and gives more clarity and definition to your music.
A 3-way speaker or Tri-axial speaker has an additional midrange speaker mounted alongside the tweeter on the pole assembly. A crossover filters the correct frequencies to the appropriate speaker providing increased clarity and a wider frequency response.
An example of a 2-way speaker 3-way speaker
Glossary of Terms - Speaker Terminology
Speaker Terminology
Dual - Cone
A dual cone speaker is classed as a full range speaker but instead of using a seperate tweeter it has a small cone in the centre directly connected to the voice coil that reproduces the high range frequencies due to it’s specific design. While inexpensive compared to a separate tweeter it is not as efficient.
Midrange Speaker
This refers to a speaker that generally ranges in size from 3—1/2” to 6—3/4”that
reproduces the midrange frequencies. Generally they would be used in a system that has separate speakers for low,mid and high range that are driven individually.
Tweeter
The high range frequencies are reproduced by the tweeter. In two and three way speakers the tweeter is mounted in the centre of the mid cone on a pole piece and in components it is a separate unit.
Components or Separates
Component systems produce better definition and detail, as well as giving you the ability to optimize imaging and soundstage reproduction. This is partly due to the vastly superior cross over system used in most component systems and the ability to place tweeters in the best position to enhance imaging.
Soundstage
This refers to the individual vocal and instrumental “images” that are reproduced to create your stereo systems soundstage. The better the soundstage reproduction the greater the perception of width and depth.
Imaging
Imaging is the ability of your stereo system to reproduce the location of individual instruments and vocalists accurately as they were positioned during the original recording. Tweeter placement is important and ideally there should be equal and unobstructed path lengths between your tweeters and your ears,this will create a soundstage that is lifelike.
Voice coil
A voice coil is a length of insulated copper or aluminium wire wound onto a circular former that provides the motive force to the cone by reacting with the magnet when the current is passed through it.
Speaker Surround
Surrounds can be manufactured from a variety of materials. The most common in car audio is butyl rubber as it tends to last longer. Some manufacturers use foam or cloth. The surround allows the cone to travel in and out without restricting the length of travel.
Maximum / Peak Power
The Max/Peak power rating of a speaker is the amount of power that the speaker can handle in short bursts or peaks without causing permanent damage to the voice coil. If this rating is exceeded constantly you will risk burning the voice coil
Crossovers explained simply
What is a Crossover
Crossovers are essentially filters that separate or block frequencies and route them to the correct speaker. There are two common types of crossover,”passive” and “active”.
Passive Crossovers
Passive crossovers are non-powered and are most commonly used with component systems in-line with the speaker wires located between the amplifier or head/source unit and speakers. They are also used in fullrange speakers. Both two and three way speakers have passive crossovers to separate or block the frequencies for the mid and/or tweeters to ensure the appropriate frequencies are delivered to the respective driver.
Active Crossovers
Active crossovers are electronically powered units that are placed in-line with the RCA signal lead between the head unit/source and the amplifier.
They will provide better signal separation and unlike passive crossover there is no power loss.
Crossover Filters
There are three main types of crossover filters. High-pass filter, low-pass filter, and a subsonic-filter.
High-Pass Crossover
A high pass crossover allows high frequency signals in the 5kHz-20kHz range (generally) to be passed to the speaker/tweeter and the lower frequency signal is blocked.
Low-Pass Crossover
A low-pass crossover allows the low frequency signal in the 50Hz-250Hz range (generally) to be passed to the speaker/sub and the higher frequencies are blocked.
Subsonic Filter
A subsonic filter is essentially a high-pass crossover which blocks the frequency signal generally from 10Hz-40Hz this signal often contains no music and its removal will improve woofer control and sound quality.
What is the best way to match my Speakers/Subwoofer to an Amplifier ?
My speakers are 300 watts “MAX” and 90 watts “Rated Power” what size amp
do I need to drive them to achieve the best performance.
. When you are choosing an amplifier to drive speakers or a Subwoofer you should
use the “RMS” per channel ratings(Amplifier) and the “Rated Power”
(Speaker/Subwoofer) as the reference for your choice. Always define which
ratings you are comparing and try and get them as close as you can.
“Max/Peak” Power Rating
The “MAX/PEAK” power rating of a speaker is the amount of power
that the speaker can handle in short bursts or peaks without causing
permanent damage to the voice coil.If this rating is exceeded constantly
you will risk burning the voice coil.
“Rated Power” Power Rating
The “Rated Power” rating of the speaker is generally considered to be the
nominal constant power that the speaker will handle continuously
without causing damage.
Therefore if your speakers are rated at 90 watts (Rated Power) you should drive
them with an amplifier that is capable of supplying 90 watts RMS per
Channel or as close to that as possible. That is not to say that an amp
capable of a higher output cannot be used if the amplifier settings are
managed responsibly realising the potential to overdrive your speakers
exists. This rule also applies to using an amplifier that is under driving
your speakers. Constantly driving a distorted signal from an overdriven
Source to your speakers can cause damage to the voice coils
