Changes

==Typical construction==

==Typical construction==

[[File:SpkFrontCutawayView.svg.png|thumbnail|A diagram of a driver]]

[[File:SpkFrontCutawayView.svg.png|thumbnail|A diagram of a driver]]

Each modern dynamic speaker contains a number of parts working together. Each speaker contains one or more driver, which is the device to actually produce sound.  Each driver contains a ''diaphragm'' (a flexible cone or dome, made of paper, plastic, or metal), which is attached to a flexible rim, called the ''suspension'' (or ''surround'').  The suspension is attached to the drivers frame, which is called the ''basket''.  The inner part of the diaphragm (the back of the concave surface) is attached to the ''voice coil''.  This voice coil is then attached to the basket by a ''spider'' (a ring of flexible material) which allows vibration but keeps the coil in place.<ref>http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=54 Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><ref>electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker4.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><br />

Each modern dynamic speaker contains a number of parts working together. Every speaker contains one or more driver, which is the device to actually produce sound.  Each driver contains a ''diaphragm'' (a flexible cone or dome, made of paper, plastic, or metal), which is attached to a flexible rim, called the ''suspension'' (or ''surround'').  The suspension is attached to the driver's frame, which is called the ''basket''.  The inner part of the diaphragm (the back of the concave surface) is attached to the ''voice coil''.  This voice coil is then attached to the basket by a ''spider'' (a ring of flexible material) which allows vibration but keeps the coil in place.<ref>http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=54 Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><ref>electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker4.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><br />

==Operation==

==Operation==

[[File:Speaker-driver back.jpg|150px|thumbnail|The back of a speaker driver]]

[[File:Speaker-driver back.jpg|150px|thumbnail|The back of a speaker driver]]

In a traditional dynamic speaker, the voice coil is nothing more than a simple electromagnet. It is supplied with power to magnetize it, but the power flow is cycled from one direction to the other thus also toggling the magnetic field polarization (north to south and back again) many times per second during operation. Opposite to the electromagnet is a permanent magnet (which requires no power, and generates a static magnetic field).  Opposite magnetism attracts, while similar magnetism repels, so based on the charge put on the electromagnet, the two magnets either pull towards one another, or push away. Since the voice coil is attached to the back of the diaphragm, this movement causes the diaphragm itself to move. The diaphragm in turn moves the air molecules, causing high and low pressure waves to move out from it.  Now by adjusting the rate and strength of the electromagnet cycles, the sound waves' amplitude and frequency can be altered rapidly.  Once designed and configured properly, this device now produces whatever sound is desired, withing the speaker's range of ability.<ref>http://centerpointaudio.com/HowSpeakersWork.aspx Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><ref>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker6.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><br />

In a traditional dynamic speaker, the voice coil is nothing more than a simple electromagnet. It is supplied with power to magnetize it, but the power flow is cycled from one direction to the other thus also toggling the magnetic field polarization (north to south and back again) many times per second during operation. Opposite to the electromagnet is a permanent magnet (which requires no power, and generates a static magnetic field).  Opposite magnetism attracts, while similar magnetism repels, so based on the charge put on the electromagnet, the two magnets either pull towards one another, or push away. Since the voice coil is attached to the back of the diaphragm, this movement causes the diaphragm itself to move. The diaphragm in turn moves the air molecules, causing high and low pressure waves to move out from it.  Now by adjusting the rate and strength of the electromagnet cycles, the sound waves' amplitude and frequency can be altered rapidly.  Once designed and configured properly, this device now produces whatever sound is desired, within the speaker's range of ability.<ref>http://centerpointaudio.com/HowSpeakersWork.aspx Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><ref>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker6.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref><br />

However, each driver does have limitations.  The human ear can perceive a much greater range of tones than a driver can produce.  For this reason, most speakers include multiple drivers.  Although drivers can be produced to best output any variety of tones, they are generally given the classification of as Woofers, Tweeters, or Midrange.<br />

However, each driver does have limitations.  The human ear can perceive a much greater range of tones than a driver can produce.  For this reason, most speakers include multiple drivers.  Although drivers can be produced to best output any variety of tones, they are generally given the classification of as Woofers, Tweeters, or Midrange.<br />

===Midrange===

===Midrange===

Midrange speakers produce, as the name suggests, sounds in the approximate middle of the auditory range.  For many purposes, these are the speakers which are used most, since many sounds are neither very high nor very low.  However, these alone are not enough to represent sound properly without loosing quality.  These speakers are much smaller than woofers, but still larger than tweeters.<ref name="howstuffworks7">http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker7.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref>

Midrange speakers produce, as the name suggests, sounds in the approximate middle of the auditory range.  For many purposes, these are the speakers which are used most, since many sounds are neither very high nor very low.  However, these alone are not enough to represent sound properly without losing quality.  These speakers are much smaller than woofers, but still larger than tweeters.<ref name="howstuffworks7">http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker7.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref>

===Tweeters===

===Tweeters===

Although much less common, other speakers kinds than dynamic exist.  These are a few other kinds:

Although much less common, other speakers kinds than dynamic exist.  These are a few other kinds:

===Electrostatic speakers===

===Electrostatic speakers===

Electrostatic speakers also use electromagnetism, but in an entirely different way.  A pair of conductive plates are placed on either side of a flat diaphragm, which a narrow gap in between them.  The plates are then charged, so that the diaphragm has a positive charge on one side, an a negative charge on the other.  Now, the audio signal is run through the suspended diaphragm.  As the audio signal flows, the diaphragm is rapidly cycled between a positive and negative charge.  Opposite charges attract, so while charged negative, it pulls towards the positive plate, and while charged positive, it pulls towards the negative plate.  This process takes place so rapidly that high-frequency sound is produced. In fact, this system tends to respond more quickly than the traditional dynamic speaker, which can be useful in some situations.<ref name="howstuffworks11">http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker11.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref>

Electrostatic speakers also use electromagnetism, but in an entirely different way.  A pair of conductive plates are placed on either side of a flat diaphragm, which a narrow gap in between them.  The plates are then charged, so that the diaphragm has a positive charge on one side, and a negative charge on the other.  Now, the audio signal is run through the suspended diaphragm.  As the audio signal flows, the diaphragm is rapidly cycled between a positive and negative charge.  Opposite charges attract, so while charged negative, it pulls towards the positive plate, and while charged positive, it pulls towards the negative plate.  This process takes place so rapidly that high-frequency sound is produced. In fact, this system tends to respond more quickly than the traditional dynamic speaker, which can be useful in some situations.<ref name="howstuffworks11">http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/speaker11.htm Retrieved September 30, 2016</ref>

===Planar magnetic===

===Planar magnetic===

==References==

==References==

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