Abstract:

Although the electrodynamic drive topology incorporating two axially (not concentrically) placed coils is not a new idea and dates back to the 1950's, recent interest in the design has begun a proliferation of the design concept in professional sound reinforcement loudspeakers. The fundamental design involves two coils that are opposite in phase and reside in oppositely polarized magnetic gaps, thus providing a Lorentz force in the same axial direction. The two gaps are formed from the same magnetic circuit, and both coils are wound on the same form, separated by some distance, connected or wound out of phase, and attached to a single diaphragm. The work herewithin describes different design options in magnetic materials, magnetic circuit geometries, and voice coil topologies. The focus is on performance trade-offs and advantages in weight, power handling, power compression, and distortion, relative to a single gap design. The end result being acoustical solutions with better fidelity, less weight, and size.