Flat panel speakers deliver higher-fidelity sound

Paul Boughton
Flat panel loudspeakers offer an alternative for music lovers who would rather not clutter up their homes with conventional speakers or who do not have the space. These speakers can be integrated inconspicuously within walls or furniture. At the Internationale Funkausstellung IFA in Berlin from September 4 to 9, Fraunhofer scientists presented a completely new concept for ultra-flat loudspeakers that are still claimed to deliver full sound reproduction.
 
In co-operation with Sennheiser electronic, scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology (IDMT) in Ilmenau, Germany, have developed a special loudspeaker that is ultra-flat but still resonant.
 
Dr Sandra Brix from IDMT states: "This new generation offers tonal balance and acoustic pressure at a level that will even allow the use in the professional movie or concert segment in the future." To make this possible, Brix and her team took their inspiration from the loudspeakers of premium headphones. Prof Dr Jürgen Peissig, head of the Signal processing and high frequency research department at Sennheiser electronic, says: "We are opening up a new application area for our highest quality electrodynamic headphone miniature loudspeakers in this alliance with Fraunhofer. Because of their compact overall depth, they are excellently suited for use in the flattest loudspeaker boxes, without any losses in tonal persuasiveness." They are arranged in groups ('arrays') so that they allow audio quality that has not been seen in the past. Brix explains: "Even if these flat panel loudspeakers are placed directly on the wall or integrated into media equipment or furniture, they can reproduce a frequency range from 100Hz to 20kHz." This distinguishes our new concept from conventional flat panel loudspeakers that achieve response characteristics at this level only if kept at a certain minimum distance from the wall."
 
Consequently, the ultra-flat loudspeakers are suitable for multichannel systems and the IOSONO audio system. Based on the principle of wave field synthesis, IOSONO produces a realistic and spatial sound field throughout the entire listening area with the help of a large number of small loudspeakers arranged in a ring. Thanks to the new design and sound, this large number of loudspeakers can now be discreetly integrated into the surroundings. In the future, Dr Brix is convinced it will be possible to use this technology in all areas that call for an integration and reproduction of sound as invisible as possible. Automotive and aircraft construction are not the only areas calling for good sound at low weights and installation depths. Spas and hotels also seek to create surroundings that fascinate both eyes and ears equally. For example, the flat panel loudspeaker could inconspicuously disappear into the ambient design in form of a picture or decorative element.
 
For more information, visit www.fraunhofer.de

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