Questions on Loudspeaker Diaphragm Movement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the movement of loudspeaker diaphragms, specifically the distance moved relative to their resting position when subjected to various frequencies and volumes. Participants explore measurement techniques, data availability, and theoretical models related to diaphragm displacement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests data on diaphragm movement for different speakers under specific frequencies and volumes, indicating a lack of measurement tools.
  • Another participant notes that diaphragm movement varies by speaker type and brand, and mentions the importance of distinguishing between power applied and sound pressure level (SPL).
  • A suggestion is made to measure diaphragm movement using a laser pointer and ruler, with an estimate of typical displacement for medium volume speakers.
  • Further inquiries are made about measuring displacement at specific frequencies and volumes, with a request for graphical data showing diaphragm movement over time.
  • A mathematical model is proposed for sinusoidal input, illustrating how displacement can be expressed as a function of time.
  • Participants discuss the nature of audio signals, noting that real-world signals are often not purely sinusoidal and may require digitization for analysis.
  • A resource is mentioned, "Eminence Designer," which could provide cone displacement data based on Thiele/Small parameters.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on measurement techniques and the nature of audio signals, with no consensus reached on the best method for obtaining diaphragm movement data or the characteristics of audio signals.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the variability in diaphragm movement based on speaker design and measurement conditions, and the discussion includes unresolved questions about the nature of audio signals and their impact on displacement measurements.

rockerboi
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Good day to all!

I just want to ask if someone here knows some data or measurement of speaker diaphragm movement(distance moved by the diaphragm relative to its resting position) of any speaker(any type or brand) when a certain frequency and volume is applied to it. I just badly need the information.

Thanks
 
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The amount of diaphragm movement will vary based on type or brand as different speakers have different efficiencies.

This is a problem whether by volume you mean power applied to the speaker or sound pressure level (SPL).
Edit: If you measure SPL in the near field you can make an approximation.

Even having a speaker mounted in an enclosure or sitting on the floor will make significant changes.

If you need to know then you will need to measure the movement.
 
Last edited:
thanks for the reply.

I don't have the instruments to measure the speaker's movement that is why I am looking for a data regarding that. Perhaps a loudspeaker manufacturing company can provide me one. Do you know a company that may give me such data that i need? thanks
 
It's pretty easy to measure. Put in earplugs, then shine a laser pointer at the speaker cone, near the middle and at an angle of 45 degrees. Then turn up the volume, and measure the left-to-right size of the spreading of the red dot (hold your ruler just in front of the moving cone, without touching it). Then use a little trig to figure out what the front-to-back displacement is.

Typical displacement is on the order of 1cm for medium volume 12" speakers, IIRC.
 
Thanks berkeman.

But if a speaker vibrates and moves very fast, how would I be able to measure the displacement of the cone with regards to a specific frequency and volume?

Do you know where I can find a data of speaker movement for any speaker? Thanks Ü
 
1) Berkeman's idea will work for any frequency and volume.

Quiz question. How could you use just a ruler and your ears to measure speaker cone displacement.

2) You already have the answer to this.
 
ok. But what I mean is what is the cone's movement,example, per 1 millisecond. Such that per millisecond there is a varying frequency and loudness. What I am looking for is a some kind of graph or line graph showing the cone's movement with varying frequency and loudness for certain time duration. Sorry if my question is a little vague
 
rockerboi said:
ok. But what I mean is what is the cone's movement,example, per 1 millisecond. Such that per millisecond there is a varying frequency and loudness. What I am looking for is a some kind of graph or line graph showing the cone's movement with varying frequency and loudness for certain time duration. Sorry if my question is a little vague

If you put in a sine wave for the voltage drive to the speaker, the displacement of the speaker will also be sinusoidal with respect to time. So if the input is a 1kHz sine wave, and the peak-to-peak displacement front-to-back for the speaker is 1cm, then the displacement can be described by the following equation:

d(t) = 1cm sin(2*Pi*1000Hz*t)
 
NoTime said:
1) Berkeman's idea will work for any frequency and volume.

Quiz question. How could you use just a ruler and your ears to measure speaker cone displacement.

Hmmm. That's a hard quiz question. Is it still a non-contact technique?
 
  • #10
berkeman said:
Hmmm. That's a hard quiz question. Is it still a non-contact technique?
No :smile:
 
  • #11
NoTime said:
No :smile:

Interesting. Okay, that narrows it down some. I'd assume that the non-no-contact contact needs to be light enough not to distort the measurement (or hurt the speaker cone), so that narrows it more. I have one picture in my mind, but there's a resonance in the non-no-contact thing that will give me the wrong total deflection. Gotta think about other possibilities...
 
  • #12
berkeman said:
If you put in a sine wave for the voltage drive to the speaker, the displacement of the speaker will also be sinusoidal with respect to time. So if the input is a 1kHz sine wave, and the peak-to-peak displacement front-to-back for the speaker is 1cm, then the displacement can be described by the following equation:

d(t) = 1cm sin(2*Pi*1000Hz*t)


Thanks berkeman..now i understand.

Is an audio signal always sinusoidal or there are flat turns or edges? If it is not sinusoidal, how can I predict its displacement for a particular time?
 
  • #13
There are many possible wave shapes.
Each with a coresponding equation.

Music or voice will not be sinusoidal.
In these cases you could digitize the source to a graph.
 
  • #14
Hello people. What you want is, for example, "Eminence Designer", which let you know what is the cone displacement of any speaker (introducing the TS parameters previously) in any box.

Greetings from Spain!
 

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