Have you ever wondered why your high-end speakers may not sound as pristine as they should? Enter the hidden culprit - microphonics.
Microphonics are the unwanted vibrations and resonances that stealthily infiltrate your audio experience, causing distortion and muddiness in your sound.
Dynaudio Crossover
When it comes to most speaker setups, crossovers, the devices that split and direct audio signals to different speaker drivers, are usually mounted within the speaker cabinet. However, even if these cabinets are well-braced, they can still transmit vibrations to the crossover board. These vulnerable coils and capacitors are particularly prone to vibrations from the trapped audio, resulting in unwanted resonance.
Focal Aria crossover
Inductors, a vital component in crossovers, can be especially susceptible to microphonics. Vibrations stemming from the speaker cabinet or ambient sound can cause the inductor core and windings to vibrate slightly, modulating the magnetic field and inducing noise voltages. In simpler terms, these vibrations can lead to audible ringing, humming, or buzzing sounds coming from the speakers.
Elac Debut crossover
Capacitors used in crossovers can also exhibit microphonics, although generally to a lesser extent than inductors.
Fortunately, newer film capacitors are less prone to microphonics than their older electrolytic counterparts. Regardless, these vibrations are still transmitted through the speaker drivers, distorting the musical signal and resulting in audible noise.
Moreover, any physical shocks or tapping on the crossover components can induce these pesky microphonic noises. To mitigate these issues, proper mounting of the crossover circuitry to prevent vibration and shock is imperative. Additionally, potting the crossover coils in damping material or using shielding methods, like mu-metal shields around inductors, can help reduce microphonics by damping mechanical vibrations.
At Shinjitsu Audio, we're truly passionate about creating speakers that deliver audio perfection. We understand that the key to this lies in addressing microphonics at their very source. Our approach is straightforward: dampen the crossover circuit board and its exposed components to prevent microphonics.
At the cabinet level, we employ a combination of butyl rubber, known for its exceptional vibration-absorption properties, along with thick aluminum foil for enhanced thermal damping.
But that's not where it ends. We take it a step further by reinforcing the cabinet's structural integrity. We install 18mm thick solid walnut hardwood panels on the already damped internal walls in critical areas.
Yet, it's not just about the cabinet. We understand that the components inside your speaker can also be negatively affected by microphonics. Our solution? Rubber-lined solid polyurethane clamps.
These clamps ensure that crossover components are securely fastened to the hardwood boards, effectively preventing vibrations from reaching them.
The result? A speaker that not only looks exquisite but also produces audio of unmatched quality. At Shinjitsu Audio, we believe that addressing microphonics isn't just a good practice - it's the key to unlocking the purest, most captivating sound experience. Your ears will thank you."
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