Acoustic systems in which an electrical signal is supplied to the speaker without prior separation into low- and high-frequency bands are broadband speakers. In the last century, all acoustics entering the market fell into this category. In the USSR, such models of acoustic equipment were produced. But gradually the design of speakers with a crossover, dividing the sound into bands, began to displace wideband speakers.
Thinking out loud, comparison
Unfortunately, at the moment there is no manufacturing company that would produce ideal component speaker systems; each has its own advantages and disadvantages. And if we assume that the car radio spends most of its working time broadcasting, then a reasonable question arises about the advisability of such high material costs. The ordinary wideband speakers already installed by the automaker will be sufficient, since no acoustic system will be able to qualitatively reveal the deep bass and high frequencies of your favorite radio station. The main difference between coaxial acoustics and component ones is that the coaxial one plays from one point, while the component one plays from the same point as its speakers. As for the playback range, in both cases it is divided into several parts, but in both cases the “high-frequency speakers” do not interfere with the propagation of low-frequency waves. In principle, the speakers in both cases should be as close to each other as possible, this condition is especially true for “high-frequency speakers” connected in a three-way system. Speaker systems differ in the number of connected speakers and sound reproduction formats (implemented by combining several acoustic systems):
- Two-way includes LF/MF (midbass) and MF (tweeter) speakers;
- Three-way - adds another midrange speaker.
The number of bands is determined by the crossover - the number of bands is equal to the number of input speakers:
- Stereo format (2-channel) – a pair of front wideband speaker systems;
- Dolby Surround, surround sound (4-channel) – a pair of front + a pair of rear systems;
- Presence effect, 5.1, Dolby Digital (6-channel) - a pair of front + a pair of rear + central system, as well as a subwoofer.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the physical size of the speakers, since the sound quality of speakers operating in the low and mid-frequency regions greatly depends on the size of the case (acoustic design). For example:
- To reproduce “deep” bass, it is recommended to install 16-17 cm speakers (but even with such “pancakes” you will not be able to keep up with the most ordinary subwoofer, which is simply irreplaceable at low frequencies);
- The speaker sizes of 10, 13 and 16 centimeters are designed for a volume equivalent to a car door, which involves their installation in the door body (there are exceptions, you need to look individually at the installation recommendations, which can sometimes simply be printed on the packaging box);
- Due to its small size, the high-frequency speaker should not be treated with disdain; it plays a very important role in the entire acoustic layout.
How to install a sound system
Coaxial devices are located in the rear parts of the cabin. On rear shelves or doors. Simpler options are installed in panels at the front. But you need to understand that it is not recommended to overload the front panels. If you want to connect sound to the front of the car, the elements are mounted in the front doors.
Sound system installation
The best coaxial acoustics should please not only the driver, but also the passengers
Therefore, the quality of the system is very important. Setting up effective sound is easy
And many do the work themselves. There is no need to carry out complex calculations or make special podiums. This does not affect the sound quality.
By following the following recommendations, you can complete the installation without difficulty.
- Select speakers with the appropriate diameter. If the colonies are not commensurate with the holes, use adapter rings.
- When connecting sound to a car, you need to know the power characteristics of the radio and speakers. Also, choose your amplifier wisely.
- The energy source for the car's electronics is its battery. Therefore, keep in mind that with a large number of equipment, there will not be enough power. The likelihood of stalling at the wrong time increases. To solve this problem, capacitors are installed. Devices reduce electricity consumption.
- To secure the speakers, a wooden spacer ring is made.
- The rear shelf of the car is designed for speakers. To secure them, you need to remove the shelf. Only proper fastening will prevent the elements from creaking and rattling.
- Wires are selected separately. It is better to buy them with sections up to 4 mm. Wires are included with the system, but it happens that they are not suitable for power and can only be connected to low-power heads (up to 20 W). If you connect wires with a small cross-section, you will not get high-quality sound and normal operation of the speakers.
- Before you start connecting elements and wires, check all items for proper power.
Speakers for cars
Design features that enhance the quality of full-range speakers
As mentioned earlier, full-range speakers often focus on the mids and highs, while neglecting the lows. At the same time, most listeners strive to provide themselves with bass, too, so they resort to various tricks to eliminate this shortcoming. It is precisely because of the problems with the lack of bass that many do not consider speakers with a polypropylene cone, which does not show itself on the positive side. The best speaker sound is achieved with a cone made of paper. A modern alternative is Kevlar.
When choosing a wideband speaker, you should pay attention to the diaphragm, which should not be large. The movement of the cone must also be moderate, otherwise there will be a problem with the transmission of high frequencies, which will also lead to significant distortion. To increase bass, you can increase the size of the cone while leaving the cone stroke at the same level. True, such actions will only help if a high-quality diffuser is built into the speaker.
For wideband speakers, it is best to use paper or plastic, for example, polypropylene, diffusers. Kevlar, aluminum and resin are also very popular. Paper is good because it does not have high rigidity like metal, but this reduces its resonance. To improve this parameter, the material can be varnished.
Thus, if you want to go with a full-range speaker, you need to be prepared for sound distortion. A high-quality device is capable of producing the most acceptable sound, but it is almost impossible to find. For this reason, many strive to improve the emitter model by changing its internal parameters, which is always accompanied by an expenditure of time and effort, but does not in every case lead to a positive result.
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As you know, all acoustic systems (AS) can be divided into 3 groups: 1). Active multiband (2 or more bands)/active filtering. In such speakers, the division of bands is carried out before the PA, then each amplifier amplifies only “its own” frequency band and is loaded onto one/group of heads of the same type. In many respects, this design option provides the highest quality sound, but in practice its implementation is expensive (the number of PAs is required according to the number of bands), requires individual configuration and, in the case of active acoustics, in which the PA is located inside, is difficult to modernize. 2). Passive multi-way speakers. Perhaps today this is the most common type of speaker. Most of these are 2- and 3-way systems; they are connected to the output of the power amplifier, and the passive filter built into the speakers takes care of the head section. The main problem with multi-band acoustics, in my opinion, is the presence of this very filter. A passive crossover, apart from fulfilling its immediate task (allocating each head its own range), does not add anything good to the sound. The phase response and impulse response of the system deteriorate, serious distortions are introduced, etc. Moreover, despite the presence of various options for constructing filters, any of these options is essentially a compromise, improving one thing but worsening another (a classic example is the Zobel circuit). The result of the sound of such a speaker is either a flattened, cleaned-up sound, or an uninteresting, boring sound, or a combination of one and the other. However, due to convenience, ease of operation and accessibility, as well as the virtual absence of an alternative, it is this type of speaker, as I noted, that is most widespread today. 3). Wideband speaker. The oldest design in which there is no division into bands, and the emitter is a broadband head designed to transmit the entire frequency range. Wideband speakers have their pros and cons compared to multiband systems. The disadvantages include uneven frequency response (including, as a rule, an unpleasant surge in the 2-3 KHz region, weak lows and “overwhelmed” high frequencies), high directivity at mid/high frequencies and modulation of mid/high frequencies by low ones due to diffuser oscillations. Nevertheless, despite its obvious and noticeable shortcomings, the single-head design finds a decent number of its fans. Its advantages include the absence of phase distortions, the closest design to a point source and the absence of elemental distortions (since there is no filter itself). In addition, the design of a wideband speaker is simpler, since there is no need to configure a crossover (active or passive). There is also a magical side - supporters claim a certain “musicality”, “airiness” and “involvement” of the sound of such a speaker.
