Speakers |
|
|
|
SUBCATEGORIES | | | | SHOP BY BRAND | | |
PCs & Peripherals
Upgrades
Electronics
Software
Accessories
Popular Sections
|
|
Computer SpeakersA speaker, or speaker system is an electromechanical device (transducer) that
converts an electrical signal into sound. The term loudspeaker can refer to
individual devices, or to complete systems consisting of an enclosure with one
or more speakers and additional electronics inside. Loudspeakers are the most
variable elements in any audio system, and are responsible for significant
differences between otherwise identical sound systems. Speaker performance
(i.e., their accuracy in reproducing a signal without adding distortion) is
significantly different than that of other audio equipment. The frequency
response of a speaker is often indicated as being within 3 dB of perfect
linearity (though many speaker designs fall far outside this range), whereas an
amplifier may vary less than 0.1 dB.
To reproduce a wide range of frequencies, most speaker systems require more
than one speaker, particularly for high fidelity (quality). Individual speakers
are used to cover different frequency ranges.
Subwoofers are speakers for very low frequencies; woofers, for low
frequencies; mids or high-mids, for middle frequencies; tweeters, for high
frequencies; and super-tweeters, for very high frequencies.
These terms for different speaker applications/ranges can differ widely
depending on the application. Home theater speakers (consisting of four
satellite speakers, a
center channel speaker, and typically a
powered subwoofer) connected to
home theater amplifiers or stereos use the designation "tweeter" for high
frequencies whereas professional audio systems for concerts typically designate
all types of high frequency speakers simply as HF or "highs". High frequency
compression speaker units are also called "horns" in cases where the
professional loudspeaker's lower frequency drivers are front-loaded.
A "filter network", called a "crossover" separates the incoming signal into
different frequency bands appropriate for each speaker. A speaker system with
'N' separate frequency bands is described as "N-way speakers": a 2-way system
will have woofer and tweeter speakers; a 3-way system is a combination of a set
of woofers, mid-range speakers, and tweeters.
Speakers are made for almost every use: for
computers,
iPod speaker systems,
Home Audio,
Professional Audio,
Wireless, Auto, and
Headsets. Speakers are design in different form factors, like
bookshelf speakers,
floor standing speakers, as well as for
outdoor use.
Computer Speakers typically are 2-way, 3-way, and surround sound speaker
systems. Leading speaker system manufacturers include:
Altec Lansing,
Creative Labs,
Cyber Acoustics,
JBL,
Logitech,
Yamaha, and others.
|