Why there are no flexible speakers?

tpsorin · 14th March 2008, 05:24 PM

Maybe, it is a stupid question, but why not use something like this?

Cal Weldon · 14th March 2008, 05:30 PM

The cone needs to be stiff enough so as not to flop around or deform and light enough to be moved by the motor structure. Besides they do make drivers like that. Dome tweeters.

Just not out of rubber, it will be a self damping thing.

jwmbro · 14th March 2008, 05:31 PM

I think he's referring to the enclosure here, considering he mentions a thickness of 5-10mm for the rubber.

badman · 14th March 2008, 05:37 PM

I think you're not understanding. He means a rubber enclosure I believe. And as to why not to use it.... one would be worried about resonance at lower frequencies, and it'd need some sort of frame to keep the thing from falling over. Certainly it's worth trying if you feel the inclination, nothing like a real-world experience to let you know how things work.

Cal Weldon · 14th March 2008, 05:41 PM

Oops, thanks guys. (egg on his face)

jwmbro · 14th March 2008, 05:47 PM

I too would worry about resonance, but I wonder what would happen if you used really dense/thick rubber.

In computer cases I've encountered the trick of sticking vinyl tiles to the sides, simply mass loading the enclosure so much that it wouldn't resonate....

el`Ol · 14th March 2008, 05:48 PM

Simple answer:
Bending-MDF is waaay cheaper.

rcavictim · 14th March 2008, 05:54 PM

What tpsorin suggests here would not flop over if he used 1/2 inch thick conveyer belt or agricultural mat in it`s slightly thicker common size. These rubber products are very heavy (much heavier mass than wood) and generally very stiff. For a bookshelf sized speaker enclosure with say up to a 8 inch driver I`ll bet this idea would work at least as well as using all wood. In fact if internal wood bracing was employed and the rubber wall firmly attached to the bracing at regularly distributed points around the box, I see no reason why larger cabinets and drivers could not be employed expecially if `cow mat` which is darned stiff and heacy stuff was the vertical wall section as shown in the drawing.

If the idea was to make a speaker that could be pressed into a suitcase just too small for it to fit, forget it. Rubber products suitable for the sidewalls would be too stiff to deform, and the top and bottom end caps would prevent the ends fom collapsing.

el`Ol · 14th March 2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by el`Ol
Simple answer:
Bending-MDF is waaay cheaper.

THe rubber is cheaper than I thought:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Stallmatte-aus-Vo...QQcmdZViewItem

soongsc · 14th March 2008, 06:27 PM

I think this is an interesting idea as well.

14th March 2008, 05:24 PM	#1
tpsorin diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Timisoara	Why there are no flexible speakers? Maybe, it is a stupid question, but why not use something like this?

14th March 2008, 05:30 PM	#2
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	The cone needs to be stiff enough so as not to flop around or deform and light enough to be moved by the motor structure. Besides they do make drivers like that. Dome tweeters. Just not out of rubber, it will be a self damping thing. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

14th March 2008, 05:37 PM	#4
badman Custom Title diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sunny Tustin, SoCal	I think you're not understanding. He means a rubber enclosure I believe. And as to why not to use it.... one would be worried about resonance at lower frequencies, and it'd need some sort of frame to keep the thing from falling over. Certainly it's worth trying if you feel the inclination, nothing like a real-world experience to let you know how things work. __________________ I write for www.enjoythemusic.com in the DIY section. You may find yourself getting a preview of a project in-progress. Be warned!

14th March 2008, 05:41 PM	#5
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Oops, thanks guys. (egg on his face) __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

14th March 2008, 05:54 PM	#8
rcavictim diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cool end of a soldering iron NW of Toronto	What tpsorin suggests here would not flop over if he used 1/2 inch thick conveyer belt or agricultural mat in it`s slightly thicker common size. These rubber products are very heavy (much heavier mass than wood) and generally very stiff. For a bookshelf sized speaker enclosure with say up to a 8 inch driver I`ll bet this idea would work at least as well as using all wood. In fact if internal wood bracing was employed and the rubber wall firmly attached to the bracing at regularly distributed points around the box, I see no reason why larger cabinets and drivers could not be employed expecially if `cow mat` which is darned stiff and heacy stuff was the vertical wall section as shown in the drawing. If the idea was to make a speaker that could be pressed into a suitcase just too small for it to fit, forget it. Rubber products suitable for the sidewalls would be too stiff to deform, and the top and bottom end caps would prevent the ends fom collapsing. __________________ I.Q.Test. Have you ever purchased a recreational snowmobile?


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14th March 2008, 05:31 PM	#3
jwmbro diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: München, Bavaria, Germany	I think he's referring to the enclosure here, considering he mentions a thickness of 5-10mm for the rubber.

14th March 2008, 05:47 PM	#6
jwmbro diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: München, Bavaria, Germany	I too would worry about resonance, but I wonder what would happen if you used really dense/thick rubber. In computer cases I've encountered the trick of sticking vinyl tiles to the sides, simply mass loading the enclosure so much that it wouldn't resonate....

14th March 2008, 05:48 PM	#7
el`Ol diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bavarian Forest	Simple answer: Bending-MDF is waaay cheaper.

14th March 2008, 06:27 PM	#10
soongsc diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Taiwan	I think this is an interesting idea as well. __________________ Hear the real thing!

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