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pushing an amplifier beyond its capabilities. The flat-
topped signal has high levels of harmonic distortion
which creates heat in a loudspeaker and is the major
cause of loudspeaker component failure.
CLS. The abbreviation for curvilinear line ESL.
Crossover. An electrical circuit that divides a full
bandwidth signal into the desired frequency bands
for the loudspeaker components.
dB (decibel). A numerical expression of the
relative loudness of a sound. The difference in
decibels between two sounds is ten times the Base
10 logarithm of the ratio of their power levels.
DC. Abbreviation for direct current.
Diffraction. The breaking up of a sound wave
caused by some type of mechanical interference
such as a cabinet edge, grill frame or other similar
object.
Diaphragm. A thin flexible membrane or cone
that vibrates in response to electrical signals to
produce sound waves.
Distortion. Usually referred to in terms of total
harmonic distortion (THD) which is the percentage
of unwanted harmonics of the drive signal present
with the wanted signal. Generally used to mean
any unwanted change introduced by the device
under question.
Driver. See transducer.
Dynamic Range. The range between the
quietest and the loudest sounds a device can
handle (often quoted in dB).
Efficiency. The acoustic power delivered for
a given electrical input. Often expressed as
decibels/watt/meter (dB/w/m).
ESL. The abbreviation for electrostatic loudspeaker.
Headroom. The difference, in decibels, between
the peak and RMS levels in program material.
Hybrid. A product created by the marriage
of two different technologies. Meant here as
the combination of a dynamic woofer with an
electrostatic transducer.
Hz (Hertz). Unit of frequency equivalent to the
number of cycles per second.
Imaging. To make a representation or imitation
of the original sonic event.
Impedance. The total opposition offered by
an electric circuit to the flow of an alternating
current of a single frequency. It is a combination
of resistance and reactance and is measured in
ohms. Remember that a speaker’s impedance
changes with frequency, it is not a constant value.
Inductance. The property of an electrical circuit
by which a varying current in it produces a varying
magnetic field that introduces voltages in the same
circuit or in a nearby circuit. It is measured in henrys.
Inductor. A device designed primarily to
introduce inductance into an electrical circuit.
Sometimes called a choke or coil.
Linearity. The extent to which any signal
handling process is accomplished without
amplitude distortion.
Midrange. The middle frequencies where the
ear is the most sensitive.
Passive crossover. Uses no active components
(transistors, IC’s, tubes) and needs no power
supply (AC, DC, battery) to operate. The crossover
in a typical loudspeaker is of the passive variety.
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