Convention Paper
Dual Diaphragm Compression Drivers
AES Convention 131 · Paper 8502 · October 2011
Abstract
A new type of compression driver consists of two motors, two diaphragm assemblies, and two phasing plugs connected to the same acoustical load (horn or waveguide). The annular flexural diaphragms are made of light and strong polymer film providing low moving mass. Unique configuration of the phasing plugs provides summation of both acoustical signals and direction of the resulting signal into a mutual acoustical load.
Principles of operation of the dual driver are explained using a combination of matrix analysis, finite elements analysis, and data obtained from a scanning vibrometer. Comparison of performance of this driver and conventional driver based on titanium dome diaphragm is performed. New transducer provides increase of power handling, lower thermal compression, smoother frequency response, and decrease of nonlinear distortion and sub-harmonics.
