Speaker Driver Design

[Eraos]

Forgive me if this question has been asked before, but where can I find information on designing and constructing a speaker--the driver itself. All the sites I've found have been directed at the the enclosure design.

I've found information on the components and make up of the driver, including some theory such as the xmax and stuff. I'm looking for more indepth information on the development of drivers.

Thanks.

 

[Eraos]

any ideas, even?

 

[WmAx]

Forgive me if this question has been asked before, but where can I find information on designing and constructing a speaker--the driver itself. All the sites I've found have been directed at the the enclosure design.

I've found information on the components and make up of the driver, including some theory such as the xmax and stuff. I'm looking for more indepth information on the development of drivers.

Thanks.

Here is some published data on related issues:

http://www.klippel.de/pubs/default.asp

As for actual design of speaker transducers, besides electrostatic units, I don't know of any very informative DIY sites. The succesful design of a high quality dynamic transducer from scratch will require in depth knowledge of mechanical engineering, some EM theory and general knowledge of material compatibility/durability, as well as access to the proper machinery to machine, mold and fabricate the transducers.

Of course, if you just want to mix and match pre-made parts(cones, surround, baskets, motors, etc.), then you can find such things available if you look around. But a high quality dynamic transducer from scratch? Total in-house design and fabrication? That will take some serious research(which I would gladly do, myself...but...) and some serious cash for the equipment(I can not gladly do...... ).

-Chris

 

[Swerd]

All the DIY speaker builders I am familiar with design enclosures and crossovers only for existing drivers. But then, I have never considered constructing a driver. Go ahead and search Google for "speaker driver design" or "speaker driver construction", but I don't believe you'll find anything useful.

Constructing drivers is not exactly a cottage industry that lends itself to a DIY or even a small scale approach. It requires manufacturing tools and materials that are not widely available. Most large scale commercial speaker builders don't build drivers. They contract them out to the limited number of manufacturers who build them to specifications. DIY and small commercial builders are limited to those drivers available on the retail market.

This doesn't you shouldn't try to make your own drivers. But you will not readily find any useful info about this on the internet. Good luck.