Whether you're a casual listener or a seasoned audio expert, knowing how voice coils affect a speaker's performance is essential. Voice coils are critical to a speaker's construction, transforming electrical energy into mechanical work that generates sound. Herein the mechanics of voice coils are discussed along with their sound quality implications, as well as their relation to the overall performance of a speaker.
Voice Coils Explained
Embedded inside the speaker's magnetic field, voice coils are charged with the task of moving the speaker cone. As voltage is applied to the voice coil, it creates a magnetic field that moves the voice coil. The speaker cone is attached to the voice coil, so its motion causes it to push against the air, generating sound waves. Since sound reproduction is critical to any speaker, the materials used to make the voice coils and its construction will determine the efficiency and fidelity.
The Effect of Different Types of Voice Coils
Voice coils are categorized as single voice coils (SVC) or dual voice coils (DVC). SVCs are easier and more commonplace in regular speakers, while DVCs are more common in subwoofers as they allow greater flexibility in wiring configurations. The selection of these components can affect the power capacity as well as the general sound performance of the speaker system.
The Relationship Between Voice Coil Diameter and Performance
The voice coil diameter is critical with regards to the performance of the speaker. Increasing the diameter can improve power handling, which leads to greater sound levels. Increasing the diameter of a voice coil does add weight and may slow the speaker down. There must be a compromise between weight and diameter to achieve efficient sound performance.
Production Voice Coils
The use of voice coils, like with copper or aluminum wire, impact the speaker’s thermal and electrical properties. Copper voice coils have greater conductivity while aluminum may be lighter and cheaper. Also, copper and aluminum used with voice coils determine the thermal and insulation durability which affects voice coil performance.
Trends in Voice Coil Technology
With the constant change in the audio industry, emerging voice coil technology keeps advancing. New materials and designs to improve the audio and efficiency are being explored by the manufactuers. Research is being done on the implementation of flat voice coils and composite materials with the aim of increasing performance and reducing weight. This technology is aimed at improving the experience for the customer, which is a very good sign for the speaker technology in the near future.
To wrap it all up, as with any collective technology, voice coils also impact the performance of a speaker which relates to the sound quality and efficiency. Knowing the workings, different types, and the material implications of voice coils allows consumers to make the right choice of the audio equipment. With the changing advancements in technology, keeping up with the industry for new trends is very important for the manufacturers as well as enthusiasts.