Is Speaker design evolution stagnant


Based on what I read from speaker manufacturers, many use the same drivers but apply different crossover philosophies to achieve a particular sound.

My simplistic understanding is that while limiting the range of high or low signals , the remaining signal is corrupted ( phase inversions, roll off, etc.. ).

With today’s technology, why aren’t more speaker manufacturers using active crossovers to be connected after the preamp and sending exact spectrum signals separately to be amplified to each driver.  That would Eliminate all electronics inside the speaker cabinet except the drivers. Each driver gets fed only the signal that it works best at. No out of phase, half phase, quarter phase issues, no phase angle issues. 100% of the power goes to each driver without limiters to scale it back.  I think Bryston Model T Actives is designed this way ( don’t work for them and not pushing any product). Am I looking at it too simply? Do electronic crossover play havoc on signals the way inductors and capacitors do?

Some speaker manufacturers have gone half way with built in woofer amps ( Vaughn?)

Of course you would need a 3 channel amp for each side ( based on W/M/T config) or some variable of mono amps, whatever.



jacksky

Showing 5 responses by jacksky

Given the ever dropping cost of computer technology and ever increasing processing capabilities , this is what I imagine will happen IF there is good money to be made :   a few companies will pop up to manufacture active crossovers that can be used with any speaker along with an application that can be operated from a computer ( I-pad, I-phone, laptop....) and utilize a Bluetooth microphone.  It will allow you to generate the full spectrum of sound, take readings, give you graphs and allow you to equalize your speakers on the fly. 
i know some form of this exists, but I am talking user friendly software with real time results on a graph. like my son’s simple clip on guitar tuner, 3 led lights that light up to show you whether to tighten or loosen the string to be in tune.  

As as far as the cost, I think manufacturers will jump on board if they can sell more amps...home theater setups get people to buy 5-7-9 speakers instead of 2.
that seemed to catch on.
Greg,
fascinating technologies, Really fun stuff.  Great practical applications.
I think plasma speakers are pretty cool too.

Faxer,
in the 70’s I saw foam flat panel speakers. They sounded eh...ok at low volume.  The beauty is , as you stated - single driver so no crossover.  But if you pumped more power into them they would catch on fire.  

 

Erik,
so tempting to build my own, but I have to admit......I’m afraid.  So much to learn.  Before I make a choice of any component, I may end up looking at all the alternatives to make sure I make the best choice.  I am not afraid that everything on paper looks good but the actual audio  result may stink.  I can live with the journey and failure, just don’t know if I am up for the amount of learning work involved to understand theory and apply math.
i really am not at the semi engineer level that many of you kind posters are. 
But I will look at the other forums and see if I can follow.
jack
it Seems to me that the flexibility and cost saving to use class D amps for the woofer and AB amps for mid/tweeter is another positive reason speaker manufacturers should be evolving toward targeted amplification of drivers.
so I guess the point Bache makes that once you do this you have to strike the righ balance - that is the weak link in the chain, or the hard part to achieve