Driver- A speaker, an electromechanical transducer that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy.
Also the most troubling club in your golf bag!
Dub- The name given to 20 inch rims on a phat ride! Originally, it referred to a copy of a recorded tape!
Efficiency- As it refers to speakers; the ratio of acoustic energy output to the total electric energy input,
expressed as a percentage or in dB per watt at a set distance. Usually it is measured at 1 watt at 1 meter, so
when comparing speakers make sure both are measured the same.
Fiberglass- Not Plexiglass. Popular material used to create exotic looking enclosures. See Plexiglass!
Flat Frequency Response- A term used to describe a theoretically perfect speaker which produces a
constant output over a specified frequency range. It does not peak or dip at any frequency or band of fre-
quencies.
Flux Density- A measure of magnetic strength in a given area. In car audio it refers to the magnetic field
in the gap between the front plate and the pole piece of a driver, measured in Teslas.
Halfspace- An environment for measuring a speaker system which simulates the driver flush with a planar
surface radiating into a 180 hemispherical field.
Frequency- The speed of change in an electrical signal or of air pressure in an acoustical signal, measured
in Hz.
Gain Control- IT IS NOT A VOLUME CONTROL KNOB! It controls the ratio of the input signal level to its out-
put signal level. It does not make the amplifier put out more power, cousin Bernie!
Hz- Hertz...Not Exactly!. Cycles per second. A unit of measurement for alternating current waveforms or
frequency of an audible tone. The standard bandwidth for human hearing is 20 to 20 KHz. Most men have
a drop out in their hearing between 1.6k and 6.4k.( Hint: the female voice is in that bandwidth!)
High Frequency- In audio, the frequencies from about 5KHz to 20KHz.
Highpass- When information lower in frequency than a given crossover point is attenuated, a highpass fil-
ter is in use. Used to reduce intermodulation distortion and increase power handling in a particular driver.
Imaging- The ability to localize the instruments when listening to a stereo recording.
IM Distortion- Intermodulation distortion occurs when a lower frequency affects the faithful reproduc-
tion of a higher frequency. The most audible case is when a driver is trying to reproduce an extremely wide
range of frequencies.
Impedance- AC resistance. The combined restriction to current flow including DC resistance, inductive
reactance, and capacitive reactance. Impedance (Z) is measured in Ohms ( Ω ).
Infinite Baffle- Freeair. Mounting a driver on an infinitely large baffle board that completely separates
the sound radiated from the front of the speaker from the sound radiated from its back. For practical pur-
poses the baffle board can be part of the vehicle. An enclosure larger than the Vas of the driver with the
front and rear waves isolated from each other would essentially be an infinite baffle application.
Lowpass- When information higher in frequency than a given crossover point is attenuated, a lowpass fil-
ter is in use. A common application is for woofers.
Kicker Technical Tips
Page 16
Vol. 1
Dr. Koneairea’s Discussion of Terms
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