How to Design Loudspeakers without Performing Measurements

[DDF]

Hi all,
I've created a presentation explaining the usage of the free speaker design programs that Charlie Laub is kindly hosting on his site. The presentation illustrates a design method for those with without access to measurement equipment, and is geared towards users not yet intimately familiar with the programs. Also included are a number of design tips, tool usage tips, an introduction to *.frd files, and pointers to driver databases.

The programs include:

• Unibox - Excel Program for modeling the response of closed, vented, passive radiator and bandpass loudspeaker boxes
• BoxyCAD - Excel application for planning loudspeaker box construction including cut list and sheet goods estimation
• Baffle Diffraction and Boundary Simulator – Excel application for modeling the effects of baffle and room response
• Frequency Response Modeler - Excel application for manipulating FRD files in many ways
• Passive Crossover Designer - Excel application for designing passive crossovers and equalization
  
  and tools from the FRD Consortium
  
  
• Baffle Diffraction Simulator
• SPL Tracer - a utility for loading a picture file of a frequency response and automating the process of tracing over that response to create a FRD (Frequency Response Data) file for later import into other Acoustic Design Programs

You can find the presentation on Charlie's site (thanks Charlie), where most of the tools are also hosted:

software

Also included is a 12Meg zip file which illustrates step-by step an example design with these programs, including all the necessary .frd and .zma files.

This was originally created for the Ottawa Winter 2011 DIY meeting, and I hope you also find them useful.

Dave Dal Farra
Ottawa, Canada

[wintermute]

Nice work Dave! Something that I'm sure a lot can benefit from. Big step up from doing crossovers "blind" which a lot of people do when they don't have access to measurement gear.

Tony.

[DDF]

Thanks Tony!

Hi all,
FYI, a small typo was found in one of the slides:

Was:
6.5” to 7” driver (24mm) = 0.017ms; 5” driver ~ 0.061ms (21mm)

Should be
6.5” to 7” driver (24mm) = 0.07ms; 5” driver ~ 0.061ms (21mm)

I'll send Charlie the update for the download later today

[DDF]

Hello,
The typo was corrected and Charlie has uploaded the update to his site.

Dave

[planet10]

Unfortunatly some of that software will only run in the Windoz version of Excel.

dave

[azneinstein]

You are awesome as I'm a noob that wanted to dip their feet wet but was scared of all these mathcad sheets, excel formulas, etc. Thanks and I'll take a look soon!

[devilsindetails]

Thanks so much...a boon to those of us averse to complex mathematics.