Disc and Ring Exciter Shape Effects on Flat-Panel Loudspeakers

Anderson DA. Disc and Ring Exciter Shape Effects on Flat-Panel Loudspeakers. J Audio Eng Soc. 2025;73(1/2):75-81. doi:10.17743/jaes.2022.0187

@article{Anderson2025_22795,
  author = {Anderson, David A.},
  title = {{Disc and Ring Exciter Shape Effects on Flat-Panel Loudspeakers}},
  journal = {Journal of the Audio Engineering Society},
  volume = {73},
  number = {1/2},
  pages = {75--81},
  year = {2025},
  month = jan,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  doi = {10.17743/jaes.2022.0187},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2022.0187}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Disc and Ring Exciter Shape Effects on Flat-Panel Loudspeakers
AU  - Anderson, David A.
T2  - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
J2  - J. Audio Eng. Soc.
VL  - 73
IS  - 1/2
SP  - 75
EP  - 81
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/01/07
DO  - 10.17743/jaes.2022.0187
UR  - https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2022.0187
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - Flat-panel loudspeaker exciters are moving coil motors with a coupling surface, often shaped like a ring or disc, that attaches to the surface of a plate. Simulations normally treat the exciter as acting like a point force, but in reality, the ring or disc shape can have a significant influence on the frequency response of the plate at middle and high frequencies. Equations to model the effects of disc and ring shapes are introduced, and simulations demonstrate that these exciter coupling shapes impose a low-pass filtering effect with sharp nodes in the frequency response of the vibrating surface, with rings having a lower cutoff frequency than discs. Comparisons between simulation and experimental data are provided.
ER  -