Audio speakers have come a long way in a short time, and these advancements have paved the way for crisper sound in homes all over the country. But most homeowners don’t necessarily want to take an electrical engineering class just to find out which speaker they want to power their sound system. We’ll look at the basics of the speaker, so you can understand more about how to choose one that’s right for you.

How Speakers Are Made

There are a wide variety of speakers available, but the most common one is the dynamic speaker. Developed in the 1800s, it’s a way to extract sound by using a flexible cone that will detect and amplify the vibrations of an object. The cone itself can be made with nearly anything, though paper is a particularly popular material due to its affordability.

Converting Energy

All speakers take electrical energy and turn it into mechanical, and this is ultimately what produces the soundwaves. High-frequency waves mean that the air particles around the speaker are vibrating at a rapid pace, which is generally good for higher-pitched treble sounds. Middle frequencies are better for instruments like the cello and voices that are more alto than soprano. Lower frequencies are good for bass and baritones.

Judging Speakers

Trying to decide what makes for a good speaker can be tough, especially when all claim to be the best in show. Ultimately though, the answer will depend on what you’re looking for. Some speakers will not pick up on every note of music or every dip in the bass, but that doesn’t mean that the overall sound is poor just because it’s not technically perfect.

It may be easier to define what makes a poor speaker, as this can be found in the more obvious distortions. If the speaker is adding crackling sounds to the audio or it seems as though the sound can’t break through the device, this is the sign of a low-quality piece of equipment. As you listen to each sample, pay close attention to the qualities of human voices. (You’re more likely to pick up on discrepancies with voice compared to instruments.)

A Little Insight

HiFi system with turntable, amplifier, headphones and lp vinyl records in a listening room

Floor-standing speakers might make sense if you’re a sound enthusiast and want to hear every clef there is to hear. But if you’re a more casual listener, it may not take more than a soundbar to improve your audio entertainment. Before selecting one, you need to consider the space in which it will be operating (both square footage and configuration), as well as the wiring capabilities your home needs to properly hook everything up.

If you’re looking for a better home theater or outdoor speakers that will rise above, Cathey’s Audio Visual Entertainment is here to help. Whether you’re simply looking to replace a defective speaker or you’re in the market to revamp your entire system design, we can point you toward the best in audio equipment. From multiroom to weather-resistant speakers, you can engineer your sound to be exactly what you want it to be.