Hi, i am really interested in learning Audio transducer design but do not know where to start. I have knowledge in building speaker enclosures now i want to learn designing and simulating the driver it self. If any one of you can help me with the subject please suggest me a way that helps learn audio transducer designing.
Thank you
Thank you
Basic about transducer you can find in Loudspeaker Design Cookbook by Vance Dickason. But simulation is difficult, and you will need something like Comsol
They're solenoids with an attached diaphragm, flexible surround, so really basic.
I have already read it. That is why i want to get deeper into it.
Lookup Voice Coil Magazine.
https://audioxpress.com/page/Voice-Coil-Magazine
It is an industry magazine that Vance Dickason is associated with. They have an annual sourcing issue and feature advertisements from driver design software companies. It is possible to buy all the separate components for building drivers. Cones, surrounds, spiders, baskets, magnets ... etc.
Vance has a consulting company and designs drivers.
To do actual design, where you create a driver to meet an actual specification, you are looking at getting a dedicated driver design software package like FINECone or learning a multi-physics software package, like COMSOL, with loudspeaker models.
https://loudsoft.com/finecone/
https://www.google.com/search?q=multi+physics
I expect there are university classes that cover driver design. You might look for the books used in these classes.
https://web-app.usc.edu/ws/soc_archive/soc/term-20151/course/ame-423/
There is also the Audio Engineering Society, AES. They have chapters that hold meetings around the world. You can join and have access to their large library of published works.
While not driver design, there is a book that I highly recommend about how drivers actually work. The author, Esa Meriläinen, is a member of this forum.
https://www.current-drive.info/
https://audioxpress.com/page/Voice-Coil-Magazine
It is an industry magazine that Vance Dickason is associated with. They have an annual sourcing issue and feature advertisements from driver design software companies. It is possible to buy all the separate components for building drivers. Cones, surrounds, spiders, baskets, magnets ... etc.
Vance has a consulting company and designs drivers.
To do actual design, where you create a driver to meet an actual specification, you are looking at getting a dedicated driver design software package like FINECone or learning a multi-physics software package, like COMSOL, with loudspeaker models.
https://loudsoft.com/finecone/
https://www.google.com/search?q=multi+physics
I expect there are university classes that cover driver design. You might look for the books used in these classes.
https://web-app.usc.edu/ws/soc_archive/soc/term-20151/course/ame-423/
There is also the Audio Engineering Society, AES. They have chapters that hold meetings around the world. You can join and have access to their large library of published works.
While not driver design, there is a book that I highly recommend about how drivers actually work. The author, Esa Meriläinen, is a member of this forum.
https://www.current-drive.info/
Last edited:
I designed speakers at Jensen for 3 years, and driver design is a cottage industry that is taught within the profession from one designer to another. I have never heard of University classes teaching driver design in depth (i.e. woofers and tweeters) per se. It’s too specialized. I’m not aware of any books on it either. (There are numerous books on horn design however.)
The FEA packages like COMSOL and courses related to that are probably as close as you can get for example
Much of this knowledge is gathered piece by piece from Voice Coil magazines, discussion threads like this one and conferences and journals like AES. Many AES journal papers are concerned with driver design.
It’s not terribly hard to get a job in the industry if you’re willing to take a lower than average engineering salary and relocate 🙂 (possibly to Asia).
Start by going to a CES or AES conference and talking to people. They’re not hard to find at those shows.
A software license for an FEA package would allow you to try all kinds of things that industry would find valuable.
The FEA packages like COMSOL and courses related to that are probably as close as you can get for example
Much of this knowledge is gathered piece by piece from Voice Coil magazines, discussion threads like this one and conferences and journals like AES. Many AES journal papers are concerned with driver design.
It’s not terribly hard to get a job in the industry if you’re willing to take a lower than average engineering salary and relocate 🙂 (possibly to Asia).
Start by going to a CES or AES conference and talking to people. They’re not hard to find at those shows.
A software license for an FEA package would allow you to try all kinds of things that industry would find valuable.
WOW > what a question 😎
The only thing I can add to the above posts is > if you are lucky enough, get a job at a respected & valid speaker manufacturer.
The only thing I can add to the above posts is > if you are lucky enough, get a job at a respected & valid speaker manufacturer.
You could take a look at these publications/presentations:
https://www.comsol.com/paper/accuracy-of-fully-coupled-loudspeaker-simulation-using-comsol-6927
https://www.comsol.com/paper/an-inv...formation-and-iii-the-rayleigh-integral-15480
https://www.comsol.com/video/modeling-loudspeakers-in-comsol-multiphysics
https://www.comsol.com/paper/accuracy-of-fully-coupled-loudspeaker-simulation-using-comsol-6927
https://www.comsol.com/paper/an-inv...formation-and-iii-the-rayleigh-integral-15480
https://www.comsol.com/video/modeling-loudspeakers-in-comsol-multiphysics
https://www.femm.info/wiki/download
https://www.femm.info/wiki/woofer
https://www.femm.info/wiki/blockedimpedance
https://www.femm.info/wiki/TransientLoudspeaker
FWIW, I am a paid contractor that designs subwoofers, and it has taken many years to figure out by trial and error how to design new subwoofers. I am also a machinist by trade and machine and assemble the motors myself. I suggest getting a lathe and becoming proficient with that first, as it will help you bang out prototypes quickly instead of paying a lot of money for machine shops to do the work for you. You will go through many prototypes before you make something good.
Baskets and cones can be found on alibaba, also thelordofbass.com sells every subwoofer part you might need.
https://www.femm.info/wiki/woofer
https://www.femm.info/wiki/blockedimpedance
https://www.femm.info/wiki/TransientLoudspeaker
FWIW, I am a paid contractor that designs subwoofers, and it has taken many years to figure out by trial and error how to design new subwoofers. I am also a machinist by trade and machine and assemble the motors myself. I suggest getting a lathe and becoming proficient with that first, as it will help you bang out prototypes quickly instead of paying a lot of money for machine shops to do the work for you. You will go through many prototypes before you make something good.
Baskets and cones can be found on alibaba, also thelordofbass.com sells every subwoofer part you might need.