Controlling loudspeakers in rooms

Abstract

How to control the perceived timbre of a loudspeaker in different listening positions, using different loudspeaker positions in different listening rooms is a central problem, when designing and using loudspeakers is discussed. Loudspeaker directivity has been found to be one of the critical parameters in the solution to this problem. This paper presents three hypotheses for the optimal loudspeaker directivity and a novel realization of that directivity, i.e., the Acoustic Lense (ALT). The dominant problem at low frequencies has been found to relate to the fact, that the acoustic power output of loudspeakers is highly dependent on the loudspeaker position and on the acoustic properties of the listening room. This paper also presents a novel system for adapting a loudspeaker to its position and to the acoustic properties of the listening room, i.e., Adaptive Bass Control (ABC).