AES Berlin 2017
Paper Session P05
P05 - Transducers 2
Saturday, May 20, 14:45 — 16:15 (Salon 2+3 Rome)
Steve Temme (Chair)
P05-01 Quantifying Consistency in Loudspeaker System Production
Andrew Goldberg (Presenting Author)
This paper defines a new metric for production consistency of loudspeaker systems. The motivation is to improve stereo imaging of phantom sources. The measurement system’s consistency and three different loudspeaker designs are analyzed as examples to show how the metric can highlight inconsistencies. The analysis and summary metrics clearly highlighted (the artificially induced) inconsistencies. A simple classification system (from A to H) for loudspeakers is also proposed. It is hoped that this, or a similar, metric will be integrated into international standards as a way to help designers improve their products, production to improve their processes, and customers to better inform their purchase decisions.
Convention Paper 9713
P05-02 Loudspeakers Performance Variance Due to Components and Assembly Process
Maria Costanza Bellini (Presenting Author), Angelo Farina (Author)
This paper presents an experimental study of the main causes of scrap during the production of a typical midrange loudspeaker. After analyzing the most critical components of a transducer, various samples with reference and defected components have been built and characterized in terms of frequency response and distortion. In addition, a second set of samples has been built using reference components but varying the assembly process parameters; these samples also have been characterized as the previous ones. Measurements have been performed both in an anechoic chamber and in a real production line and, by the analysis of acquired data, the authors have individuated the most influential components and assembly parameters in terms of required performance.
Convention Paper 9714
P05-03 Evaluation of Audio Test Methods and Measurements for End-of-the-Line Automotive Loudspeaker Quality Control
Steve Temme (Presenting Author), Viktor Dobos (Author)
In order to minimize costly warranty repairs, automotive manufacturers impose tight specifications and quality/reliability requirements on their part suppliers. At the same time, they also require low prices. This makes it important for automotive manufacturers to work with parts suppliers to define reasonable specifications and tolerances, and to understand both how the parts suppliers are testing and also how to carry out their own measurements for incoming QC purposes. Specifying and testing automotive loudspeakers can be very tricky since loudspeakers are inherently nonlinear, time-variant and effected by their working conditions and environment. This paper examines the loudspeaker characteristics that can be measured and discusses common pitfalls and how to avoid them on a loudspeaker production line. Several different audio test methods and measurements for end-of-the-line automotive speaker quality control are evaluated, and the most relevant ones identified. Speed, statistics, and full traceability are also discussed.
Convention Paper 9715