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Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

polytechnique-insights.com

1–10 of 86 posts

Re: Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

#4
post #2

This appears to be describing an electrostatic speaker. They're on the market, and have been for decades, using mylar or a similar material.

Yeah I am really nonplussed how this is the top post on HN right now (I know that is against the rules to mention but really)

Re: Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

#5
post #3

This seems only mildly different than already existing electrostatic drivers??? In terms of getting rid of heavy magnets at least.

Yes, as we know from the history of electrostatic speakers, all you need to replace those bulky magnets is a sheet of mylar the size of a billboard, and also a regular magnetic voice coil for the half of the power spectrum that they can't handle.

Re: Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

#6
post #2

This appears to be describing an electrostatic speaker. They're on the market, and have been for decades, using mylar or a similar material.

I was wondering much the same, except I note that my pal’s massive Quads and the older radiator-like versions at uni were still crazy heavy due to the power supply (I assume) and they were a bit short on warm bass, perhaps these “new” speakers run on a trickle of power and produce bass like a Cerwin-Vega for all I know?

Re: Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

#7
post #5
post #3

This seems only mildly different than already existing electrostatic drivers??? In terms of getting rid of heavy magnets at least.

Yes, as we know from the history of electrostatic speakers, all you need to replace those bulky magnets is a sheet of mylar the size of a billboard, and also a regular magnetic voice coil for the half of the power spectrum that they can't handle.

These seen smaller than a billboard: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Me16Db11xTX/p_839EMESLD/Martin...

And with lower frequency sound, aren't heavy drivers actually better? You literally need more mass/energy to push more air, but at a lot lower frequency so the effect of moving the mass back and forth at 20Hz does not really matter as much as 40Khz?

Re: Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

#8
post #6
post #2

This appears to be describing an electrostatic speaker. They're on the market, and have been for decades, using mylar or a similar material.

I was wondering much the same, except I note that my pal’s massive Quads and the older radiator-like versions at uni were still crazy heavy due to the power supply (I assume) and they were a bit short on warm bass, perhaps these “new” speakers run on a trickle of power and produce bass like a Cerwin-Vega for all I know?

The power supply problem is not power but voltage, electrostatic speakers just require high voltage

Also they are expensive audiophile thing so good chance they were driven off some super inefficient and/or made on discrete componentes, hence the size

Re: Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

#9
post #7
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, as we know from the history of electrostatic speakers, all you need to replace those bulky magnets is a sheet of mylar the size of a billboard, and also a regular magnetic voice coil for the half of the power spectrum that they can't handle.

These seen smaller than a billboard: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Me16Db11xTX/p_839EMESLD/Martin... And with lower frequency sound, aren't heavy drivers actually better? You literally need more mass/energy to push more air, but at a lot lower frequency so the effect of moving the mass back and forth at 20Hz does not really matter as much as 40Khz?

> These seen smaller than a billboard: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Me16Db11xTX/p_839EMESLD/Martin...

Right... because this one contains a normal magnetic woofer

Re: Classic components could be replaced by rubber in next-gen loudspeakers

#10
post #2

This appears to be describing an electrostatic speaker. They're on the market, and have been for decades, using mylar or a similar material.

I'm not so sure. Electrostatic speakers have big heavy metal electrodes.

They talk about a thin conducting layer on the rubber, quite a different thing.

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