Smart speakers are a class of sophisticated and practical devices that can be used to broadcast weather forecasts, order meals, or play favorite songs. As consumers discover more uses for virtual assistants, these devices are gradually being used in more spaces, and their appearance size is getting smaller and smaller, making it less conspicuous.
However, the volume of the speaker is directly related to the output power. The smaller the form factor of the smart speaker, the smaller its volume. If the volume of the speaker is reduced, its power handling capacity will be affected, resulting in a reduction in the sound pressure level it produces. Smaller speakers can create a quieter environment, but at the same time it will reduce the clarity of the sound. Users may not be able to hear the response of the smart speaker in all corners of the room, which reduces satisfaction (Figure 1).
Figure 1: The smart speaker can hear your voice in every corner of the room, but can you hear its response?
In addition, product price is also a factor that causes consumers to buy speakers with weaker performance and smaller volume. In other words, consumers want to buy smart speakers that are smaller, more beautiful, and less expensive, but such speakers are often unsatisfactory in terms of audio output level and audio quality.
What options are available to increase the output power of smaller speakers?
So far, continuous power design methods have matched the performance range of audio amplifiers to speakers. This method provides enough power to create low and high frequencies without damaging the speakers. But this is also the reason why the volume of the speaker becomes lighter. The smaller the speaker, the softer the sound.
One way to solve the continuous power design problem is to use a speaker protection amplifier, which can improve loudness and audio quality without changing the industrial design, speaker size, or increasing speaker cost (Figure 2).
Figure 2: The speaker protection amplifier can make smaller speakers emit more sound
Why should we pay so much attention to the problem of speakers? Smart speakers are different from many consumer electronic products. Its function is audio collection and audio playback. The most important part of the audio playback system is not the amplifier, but the speakers.
The speaker protection amplifier modifies the electrical signal in real time to make the speaker fully perform its functions, thereby effectively improving the performance of the speaker. An audio speaker is a motor that converts electricity into motion generated by magnetic force, causing the speaker diaphragm to move quickly back and forth, thereby producing audible sound.
The speaker pushes the air to move in the low frequency state, and dissipates heat in the high frequency state. But too much of these two behaviors can cause damage. At low frequencies, the unfavorable factor is excessive excursion, the speaker's voice coil moves too far forward or backward and damages itself or the speaker diaphragm. When the electricity is converted into high-speed motion, the high frequency will generate too much heat and cause damage to the speaker. Overheating can cause various damages: the adhesive in the speaker will melt, causing structural failure; the magnet in the voice coil will be demagnetized; the voice coil will be deformed by overheating.
In order to improve performance while avoiding damage, the speaker protection amplifier is not only based on complex signal analysis, but also with the help of a speaker model, which can instantly provide up to 5 times the peak power of the speaker's nominal rating. These calculation procedures can enable the speaker to reach peak power and increase its output by 9dB to 12dB, which is about 2 to 3 times louder than the sound of the same speaker using a traditional amplifier. Figure 3 shows the improvement in the frequency response of a typical smart speaker. To learn more about how the speaker protection algorithm works, please check the Smart Amplifier Tuning Guide.
Figure 3: Speaker protection amplifier doubles the loudness of traditional amplifiers
With the help of models and signal analysis, these calculation programs can also compensate for speaker frequency response issues at nominal and higher output levels, thereby helping to improve audio quality and clarity.
The speaker protection amplifier is a proven and reliable technology, which is widely used in various smart phones, thermostats and notebook computers.
Automotive Connector 27P External Thread Assembly
Automotive Connector 27P External Thread Assembly
Automotive Connector 27P External Thread Assembly
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