Music systems: active acoustics

Listening to the composition of your favorite music performers, hardly anyone thinks about the figures associated with Hertz, decibels, watts, frequencies and even with CGI. However, the purity of reproduction, loudness and richness of sound depends on them. It is hardly possible to say unequivocally that the most powerful is also the best active acoustics.

Features of human hearing and choice of speakers

Sound is called mechanical vibrations of elements of the physical environment, capable of causing certain sensations in the human brain. The speed of propagation of these waves depends on the density of water, wood, metal or air in which they move. Scientists have proved that people perceive by ear only some of the sound frequencies: from 20 Hz to 22 kHz. The lower part of the range is the infra-waves (very low), the upper - ultrasounds (too high). As it becomes clear, emissions with values greater or less than these figures, our ears can not be physically heard.

Music and the latest technology

The basic number of sound-producing systems is divided into 3 groups by experts.

The first is the so-called "point" loudspeakers, which broadcast speech or music in one direction.

The second group includes systems of emitters whose horns are aimed at servicing a certain zone: streets or areas.

The third category includes active acoustics, with a system for distributing sound sources on several lines:

• Only on parallel walls;
• On one wall;
• At the ceiling and on the walls;

Linear active acoustics hi-fi is also used in open scenes, both at home and in closed halls.

Is it true that the more powerful the speaker, the louder the music sounds?

The best active acoustics will easily deprive the rest and sleep of household members deafening songs. However, the power factor has nothing to do with it. This is characterized, rather, by the mechanical reliability of the system: above the figure, it will work longer. And still the power of the amplifier should necessarily be less than the value of the power of the speakers, otherwise the music will quickly stop, as the speakers can overheat and burn.

In reality, the volume of playback is influenced not by the strength, but by the sensitivity indicators of the speakers, measured by decibels. The index of 85 dB is quite suitable for musical equipment installed in the apartment.

Another important parameter is the frequency index. Home acoustics (active or passive) should have both low-frequency speakers, and high-frequency, and mid-range speakers. The presence of a full spectrum of frequencies in music will make it more saturated, and listening will bring a lot of pleasure.

"Striped" systems - what a joke!

In fact, acoustics are active, as passive, it does not have banding, but banding. If there is only one speaker in the room - this is a single-band or broadband sound, two (one with LF and MF, and one with HF) - two-way. Experienced music lovers acquire for themselves three-, four- and even five-way audio systems, in which each column is equipped with beepers that produce sounds of a particular range. A feature of multiband systems is the presence of built-in filters that create sound waves that are accessible to the human ear.

Active hi-fi acoustics usually consists of a main unit, bass subwoofers and several small satellites.

Buying a ready system, it is worth paying attention to the completeness of the kit. It should consist of such elements as:

• Subwoofer + loudspeaker;
• Pair rear and front speakers;
• Central unit with loudspeaker.

Acoustics active for home theater should be equipped with a rear channel. This will create the effect of a full immersion in the sound environment.

Wooden or plastic?

When choosing a music system, pay attention to the material for making the case of the speakers. Modern active floor acoustics are most often placed in boxes of the phase-inverter type. To produce the body of loudspeakers, both wood and plastic are used. It is better if the case has an irregular shape, without ventilation holes and with well-glued connections. The minus of plastic cases is a rattling with a significant increase in volume, distortion of sounds. Therefore, more serious systems than the speakers for computers, manufacturers have traditionally been packed in reliable wooden boxes.

How to correctly place the elements of the speaker system in the room?

Good quality for listening to music are the rooms that meet the following basic requirements:

• Absence of "fluttering" echo and local concentration of sound;
• Uniform distribution of sound energy throughout the room;
• Minimization of noise interference.

When preparing a room for placing sound-transmitting devices, it is important to remember that the surfaces of opposite walls should not be perfectly smooth and parallel. Otherwise, the sounds will be reflected from them, like balls, creating the effect of an undamped echo that will turn a musical composition into one continuous loud roar with phonetic failures. Niches, pilasters, fabric silencers are quite suitable for creating diffuse reflection and improving diffuseness.

If the hosts love to sing karaoke, it is worthwhile to think about placing the microphone in the room. It is important to arrange it in such a way as to avoid self-excitation of the amplifiers. Otherwise, instead of singing, you'll have to listen to the squeak and screech of the speakers.

When the active acoustics are placed in the prepared room, the sound quality corresponds to the declared parameters and when listening will deliver a wonderful sensation.