{"id":42510,"date":"2021-09-07T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazinnew.reichelt.de\/magazin\/uncategorized\/basic-knowledge-in-loudspeaker-selection-part-2\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T09:26:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T08:26:47","slug":"basic-knowledge-in-loudspeaker-selection-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reichelt.com\/magazin\/en\/guide\/basic-knowledge-in-loudspeaker-selection-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic knowledge in loudspeaker selection, part 2: How to find the right loudspeaker."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to the second part of the loudspeaker guide. After we introduced you to the different designs different designs<\/a> of available loudspeaker drivers and their areas of application in the first part, this part will explain the different enclosures and other important parameters. We will also give you a checklist for your choice of loudspeaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enclosure types<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Loudspeaker drivers are dipoles, i.e. the sound produced is emitted in two directions: the useful signal to the front via the diaphragm and the opposite signal through the diaphragm swinging back. Since the rear signal is shifted by 180\u00b0 to the front signal, in the worst case both signals can cancel each other out. In order to be able to channel the sound appropriately, each driver must therefore be installed in one of the three basic enclosures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open baffle<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The first type is the open baffle: the loudspeaker chassis is mounted behind a wooden board with a matching hole. The board prevents an acoustic short-circuit, i.e. a cancellation of the signals, by delaying the time of flight. An open baffle is often used in radios or guitar amplifiers – and for some years now it has also been used again in hi-fi speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exponential horn<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The exponential horn is even older than the open baffle. In its original form, it was used as an acoustic amplifier in gramophones, wax cylinders and Edison phonographs. Even today, it is mainly used in high-frequency loudspeaker chassis, amplifying the sometimes low sound power. You can find inspiration for this in the reichelt online shop.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closed box<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The most common design for loudspeakers is the closed box. In contrast to the open baffle and the exponential horn, the closed box ensures a good bass reproduction and is also available in different sizes. Usually, these speakers are equipped with two or three drivers. Either a tweeter and a midrange driver, a midrange and a bass driver or all three are combined.\nIn addition, there are other possible combinations with full-range drivers, especially in the cinema\/surround range. However, since these combinations are more for commercial use, they will not be discussed in detail here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical evaluation criteria<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even without a university degree in physics, you should know and be able to evaluate the four most important parameters of a loudspeaker driver. They are presented below and explained in an easily understandable way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequency response<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The frequency response of a loudspeaker chassis describes the operating range in which the chassis provides optimum sound transmission. It lies in the frequency range audible to the average listener from 20Hz to 20kHz. The sound transmission should be as linear as possible and without level deviations. In practice, however, this cannot be guaranteed one hundred percent – that is why the frequency response often has to be corrected with electronic filters and loudspeaker cabinets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impedance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The impedance of a loudspeaker is an important selection criterion for matching it to an amplifier. If the impedance does not match the power amplifier, there may be a loss of power – in the worst case, the speaker and power amplifier may be damaged. The most common values for impedance are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n