Stackable loudspeaker

Abstract

A loudspeaker includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity. An electro-acoustic transducer is mounted to a front wall of the housing, and an axis of motion of the electro-acoustic transducer is offset from a centroid of the front wall. The loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with another loudspeaker having the same configuration in a first configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern; and the loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with the other loudspeaker in a second configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern. The loudspeaker includes a keying feature that does not interlock and thereby prevent stacking when the loudspeaker is in a first orientation relative to the other loudspeaker, and that interlocks to allow stacking when the loudspeaker is in a second orientation relative to the other loudspeaker.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to stackable loudspeakers and related systems and methods. SUMMARY

[0002] All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0003] In one aspect, a loudspeaker includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity. An electro-acoustic transducer is mounted to a front wall of the housing, and a motion axis of the electro-acoustic transducer is offset from a centroid of the front wall. The loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with another loudspeaker having the same configuration in a first configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern; and the loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with the other loudspeaker in a second configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern. The loudspeaker includes keying features that do not interlock and thereby prevent stacking when the loudspeaker is in a first orientation relative to the other loudspeaker, and that interlock to allow stacking when the loudspeaker is in a second orientation relative to the other loudspeaker.

[0004] Implementations can include one of the following features, or any combination thereof.

[0005] In some implementations, the loudspeaker further includes electronic components for processing an electrical audio signal and powering the transducer. The electronic components are configured to introduce a phase shift and a delay to the electrical audio signal when the loudspeaker is stacked with the other loudspeaker in the second configuration.

[0006] In certain implementations, the keying features of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are arranged so that, in each of the first configuration and the second configuration, the keying features interlock when respective motion axes of the electro-acoustic transducers of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are aligned in a vertical plane.

[0007] In some cases, the plurality of walls includes a front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. The keying features of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are arranged so that, in each of the first configuration and the second configuration, the keying features interlock when respective top walls of the housings of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are aligned in a vertical plane.

[0008] In certain cases, the keying features of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are arranged so that the keying features do not interlock when the top wall of the loudspeaker is arranged in a plane that is perpendicular to the bottom wall of the other loudspeaker.

[0009] In some examples, the speaker includes a hole extending through the front wall. The keying features of the speaker and the other speaker are arranged so that, in each of the first configuration and the second configuration, the keying features interlock when the respective holes of the speakers are aligned in a vertical plane.

[0010] In certain examples, the electro-acoustic transducer includes a diaphragm having a long axis and a short axis that is shorter than the long axis.

[0011] In some implementations, the diaphragm is oval, ovoid, or racetrack-shaped (having parallel sides extending along the long axis and rounded ends extending between the parallel sides, also known as a “stadium”).

[0012] In certain implementations, the plurality of walls includes a front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. The side walls are substantially parallel to the long axis of the electro-acoustic transducer. The top wall has a handle so that the speaker can be carried with the long axis arranged perpendicular to the ground.

[0013] In some cases, the speaker includes a sensor configured to detect when the speaker and the other speaker are arranged in the second configuration, and in response, automatically apply a phase shift and a delay to electrical audio signals used to drive the electro-acoustic transducer.

[0014] In certain cases, the keying features include a protrusion and a recess that interlock when properly aligned.

[0015] In another aspect, an audio system includes a first speaker and a second speaker. Each of the first speaker and the second speaker includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity, an electro-acoustic transducer mounted to a front wall of the housing, and a keying feature. A motion axis of the electro-acoustic transducer is offset from a centroid of the front wall. The first speaker and the second speaker are configured to be stacked on top of each other in (i) a first configuration so that the first speaker and the second speaker radiate acoustic energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern, and in (ii) a second configuration so that the first speaker and the second speaker radiate acoustic energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern. Respective keying features of the first speaker and the second speaker do not interlock and thereby prevent stacking when the first speaker and the second speaker are in a first orientation relative to each other, and the respective keying features interlock to allow stacking when the first speaker and the second speaker are in a second orientation relative to each other.

[0016] Implementations can include one or any combination of the features described above and / or below.

[0017] In some implementations, the first speaker and the second speaker are configured to automatically detect when the first speaker and the second speaker are stacked in the second configuration.

[0018] In certain implementations, the first speaker and the second speaker are configured to be coupled (e.g., wirelessly coupled, such as through Bluetooth or through a cable connection) with the line array speaker, and the speaker includes: an array housing; and a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers arranged along a vertical axis and configured to radiate acoustic energy outwardly from a front face of the array housing.

[0019] In some cases, the first speaker and the second speaker are configured to automatically detect which of the first speaker and the second speaker has its front wall facing in the direction in which the line array is radiating acoustic energy, and to automatically apply a phase shift and a delay to an audio signal used to drive the electro-acoustic transducer of the other one of the first speaker and the second speaker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In the drawings, like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like components throughout the various views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the speaker from the front, top, and right sides.

[0022] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the speaker from the back, top, and left sides. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the speaker of

[0023] FIG. 2 is a front view of the speaker of FIG. 1A

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the speaker of FIG. 1A

[0025] FIG. 4A is a polar plot of an omnidirectional radiation pattern.

[0026] FIG. 4B is a polar plot of a heart-shaped radiation pattern that is desired.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a detail of the keyed components from detail 5-5 of FIG. 1A

[0028] FIG. 6A is a side view of the speakers properly stacked in an omnidirectional configuration.

[0029] FIG. 6B is a front view of the speakers properly stacked in an omnidirectional configuration.

[0030] FIG. 6C is a side view of the speakers improperly stacked in an omnidirectional configuration.

[0031] ​​​FIG. 6D is a front view of the speakers incorrectly stacked in an omni configuration.

[0032] FIG. 7A is a side view of the speakers correctly stacked in a cardioid configuration.

[0033] FIG. 7B is a front view of the speakers correctly stacked in a cardioid configuration.

[0034] FIG. 7C is a side view of the speakers incorrectly stacked in a cardioid configuration.

[0035] FIG. 7D is a front view of the speakers incorrectly stacked in a cardioid configuration.

[0036] FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of a speaker with a Hall Effect sensor and magnet.

[0037] FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the speaker of FIG. 8A

[0038] FIG. 9A is a front view of an audio system comprising a pair of speakers coupled with a line array speaker.

[0039] FIG. 9B is a rear view of the audio system of FIG. 9A

[0040] FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a speaker with a tongue-and-groove keying component.

[0041] FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of a stacked speaker with a tongue-and-groove keying component.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the speaker of FIG. 1A DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present disclosure relates to a configuration for stackable speakers. The configuration allows a pair of such speakers to be stacked one on top of the other to provide either an omni radiation pattern or a cardioid radiation pattern, as judged by the user. When the two speakers are stacked such that they both face in the same direction, an omni radiation pattern is achieved. When the two speakers are stacked such that they face in opposite directions, a cardioid pattern is achieved.

[0044] ​​​To achieve the desired radiation pattern, particularly when the speakers are stacked to provide a cardioid output, the speakers are provided with keying features, e.g., protrusions and recesses, on their respective mating surfaces that prevent, e.g., discourage, stacking in an incorrect orientation in the cardioid configuration. That is, the keying features prevent stacking when the respective axes of motion of the electro-acoustic transducers of the speakers are not aligned in a manner that produces the desired radiation pattern. This is particularly beneficial when the axis of motion of the electro-acoustic transducer is offset from the center of mass of the speaker.

[0045] Speaker

[0046] FIGS. 1A-3 An example speaker 100 is shown. The speaker 100 includes a housing 102 that supports an electro-acoustic transducer 104 and a woofer reflex port 106. The housing 102 includes a plurality of walls (collectively “108”) that define a sound cavity 110. FIG. 3 ) The plurality of walls 108 includes a top wall 108a, a bottom wall 108b, a left side wall 108c and a right side wall 108d, a front wall 108e, and a back wall 108f, respectively. The electro-acoustic transducer 104 and the woofer reflex port 106 are supported by the front wall 108e. The top wall 108a supports a handle 112 for carrying the speaker 100. The back wall 108f supports an input / output (i / o) panel 114. FIG. 1B ) The left side wall 108c and the right side wall 108d have keying features 116, discussed in greater detail below, that allow the speaker 100 to be stacked with another speaker of the same construction. In some implementations, the speaker 100 can include a pole mount 117 configured to receive one end of a mounting pole, as shown on the left side wall 108c in FIG. 1B In some cases, the speaker 100 is a subwoofer with a working frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 200 Hz, e.g., about 35 Hz to about 200 Hz, e.g., about 40 Hz to about 200 Hz.

[0047] The electro-acoustic transducer 104 can be any known type of electro-acoustic transducer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 ) The electro-acoustic transducer 104 can include a motor 118, a diaphragm 120, and a suspension 122. Notably, the diaphragm 120 has an oblong shape, e.g., an oval, an egg shape, or a racetrack shape (having parallel sides extending along a long axis and rounded ends extending between the parallel sides, also known as a “stadium”). The diaphragm 120 is arranged such that its long axis 124 FIG. 2) vertically arranged so that the center of mass of the speaker 100 is closer to the user's body (compared to a design with a circular diaphragm of equal surface area). A benefit of this configuration is to allow the speaker 100 to be made narrower, easier to carry. The oblong diaphragm 120 provides the same output but with a tighter density compared to a circular diaphragm of equal radiating surface area. The oblong diaphragm 120 also provides more efficient spatial utilization compared to an arrangement of multiple small transducers that collectively have equal radiating surface area.

[0048] The bass reflex hole 106 extends through the front wall 108e and acoustically couples the sound cavity 110 to the environment surrounding the speaker 100. The bass reflex hole 106 is arranged alongside the electro-acoustic transducer 104 so that the axis of motion of the electro-acoustic transducer 104 is offset from the center of mass 128 of the front wall 108e so that the center of mass 128 is disposed between the axis of motion 126 of the electro-acoustic transducer 104 and the bass reflex hole 106.

[0049] Stack

[0050] Reference is made to FIG. 3 , the speaker 100 includes electronic components 130 for processing audio signals received via the connector 132( FIG. 1B ) and driving the electro-acoustic transducer 104. The speaker 100 is configured so that it can be stacked on top of another speaker 100 of the same configuration to produce an omnidirectional output 400( FIG. 4A ) or a cardioid output 136( FIG. 4B ).

[0051] In the omnidirectional configuration, the speakers 100 are stacked so that the front walls 108e of the speakers 100 are in a common vertical plane (facing the same direction) and so that the long axes 124 of the transducer diaphragms 120 are arranged substantially parallel to the ground (i.e., so that the short axes 138( FIG. 2 ) of the transducer diaphragms 120 are perpendicular to the ground).

[0052] In the cardioid configuration, the electronic components 130 are configured to introduce a phase shift and delay to the audio signals provided to the electro-acoustic transducers 104 on the speakers 100 selected to operate in the cardioid mode. The speakers 100 selected to operate in the cardioid mode are the speakers 100 in the stack that face the rear of the stack, away from the direction in which audio is provided (i.e., away from the audience).

[0053] When stacked (with each speaker in the loudspeaker group positioned on one of its sidewalls), it is desirable that the corresponding axes of motion 126 of the loudspeakers 100 be arranged in the same vertical plane (i.e., such that the minor axes of the transducer diaphragms coincide). Failure to do so may result in an undesirable sound field or a sound field smaller than optimal. For example, if the axes of motion and / or the bass reflex port are offset, the radiation patterns may mismatch when the loudspeakers 100 are stacked in a cardioid configuration. FIG. 4B The desired cardioid radiation pattern shown may therefore result in a radiation pattern that does not meet the user's needs.

[0054] To ensure proper alignment of the motion axes when stacked, the speaker 100 is provided with keying components 116 that prevent the speakers 100 from being stacked such that their respective motion axes 126 are horizontally offset from each other. FIG. 5 In the example shown, the keying component 116 includes a protrusion 116a extending outward from the outer surface of the sidewall; and a recess 116b configured to accommodate the protrusion of the second speaker when properly stacked. That is, when the speakers are stacked on their sides, the handles of the two speakers are arranged in the same vertical plane along the same side of the stack. In the specific embodiment shown, the protrusion 116a is in the form of a leg extending outward from the surface of the left sidewall 108c and the right sidewall 108d, and the recess 116b is in the form of a notch in the left sidewall 108c and the right sidewall 108d. Each leg is paired with a notch, resulting in four leg / notch pairs on each sidewall 108c, 108d.

[0055] FIG. 6A A pair of loudspeakers 100a and 100b are shown stacked correctly in an omnidirectional configuration. As shown, a protrusion 116a on the first loudspeaker of 100a is aligned with a recess 116b on the second loudspeaker of 100b, and vice versa, such that when stacked, the protrusion 116a rests within the recess 116b. FIG. 6B As shown, when loudspeakers 100a and 100b are correctly stacked in an omnidirectional configuration, the corresponding axes of motion 126 of transducer 104 are aligned in vertical plane 142. In the correct omnidirectional configuration, the corresponding top walls 108a of loudspeakers 100a and 100b are also aligned in vertical plane 144, and the same applies to the bottom wall 108b. Alternatively, in other words, in the correct omnidirectional configuration, the corresponding axes of motion 126 of transducer 104 are aligned in plane 142, which is substantially perpendicular to the major axis 124 of electroacoustic transducer 104. Furthermore, in the correct omnidirectional configuration, the corresponding aperture 106 is aligned in plane 145, which is substantially perpendicular to the major axis 124 of electroacoustic transducer 104.

[0056] like FIG. 6CAs shown, the keying component 116 also prevents incorrect stacking when in an omnidirectional configuration. In this respect, the keying component 116 is arranged such that when the top wall 108a of the first speaker 100a is positioned on a plane 146 perpendicular to the bottom wall 108b of the second speaker 100b... FIG. 6D In this case, these keying components do not interlock. At this point, when speakers 100a and 100b are not stacked correctly, the protrusions 116a in the corresponding speakers 100a and 100b interfere with each other. (See reference...) FIG. 6D This prevents the speakers 100a and 100b from stacking, which would cause the corresponding motion axes 126 of the electroacoustic transducers 104 to be horizontally offset from each other by a distance h1, and the corresponding holes 16 to be horizontally offset from each other by a distance h2.

[0057] FIG. 7A A pair of loudspeakers 100a and 100b are shown stacked correctly in a heart-shaped configuration. As shown, the protrusion 116a on the first loudspeaker of 100a is aligned with the recess 116b on the second loudspeaker of 100b, and vice versa, so that when stacked, the protrusion 116a is accommodated within the recess 116b. FIG. 7B As shown, when loudspeakers 100a and 100b are correctly stacked in a cardioid configuration, the corresponding axis of motion 126 of transducer 104 is aligned in vertical plane 148. In the correct cardioid configuration, the corresponding top wall 108a of loudspeakers 100a and 100b is also aligned in vertical plane 150, and the same applies to the bottom wall 108b. Alternatively, in other words, in the correct cardioid configuration, the corresponding axis of motion 126 is aligned in plane 148, which is substantially perpendicular to the major axis 124 of the electroacoustic transducer 104. Furthermore, in the correct cardioid configuration, the corresponding aperture 106 is aligned in plane 152, which is substantially perpendicular to the major axis 124 of the electroacoustic transducer 104.

[0058] like FIG. 7C As shown, the keying component 116 also prevents incorrect stacking when in a cardioid configuration. In this respect, the keying components 116 are arranged such that they do not interlock when the top wall 108a of the first speaker 100a is positioned in a plane 154 perpendicular to the bottom wall 108b of the second speaker 100b. In this respect, when the speakers 100a and 100b are in a cardioid configuration and incorrectly stacked, the protrusions 116a in the respective speakers 100a and 100b interfere with each other. (See reference...) FIG. 7D This prevents the speakers 100a and 100b from stacking, which would cause the corresponding motion axes 126 of the electroacoustic transducers 104 to be horizontally offset from each other by a distance h1, and the corresponding holes 16 to be horizontally offset from each other by a distance h2.

[0059] As described above, when stacked in the cardioid configuration, one of the speakers 100a, 100b in the stack will be placed in cardioid mode. The speaker placed in cardioid mode will introduce a phase shift and delay to the audio signal fed to its electro-acoustic transducer 104. This phase shift and delay ensures that the outputs of the two speakers interfere destructively at the rear of the stack and constructively at the front of the stack to produce a cardioid directivity pattern. This results in directional low frequencies that would otherwise be omnidirectional. The rear of the stack is the side on which the front wall of the speaker operating in cardioid mode is facing, and the front of the stack is the side on which the front wall of the other speaker is facing; i.e., the side on which the rear wall of the speaker operating in cardioid mode is facing. The cardioid mode can be engaged by operating a switch or button 156 on the i / o panel 110 on the rear wall 108f of the speaker 100 operating in cardioid mode. FIG. 1B

[0060] Other Implementations

[0061] A number of specific implementations have been described. However, it will be understood that additional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein.

[0062] As an example, in some implementations, when stacked in the cardioid configuration, the speakers can automatically detect that they are in the cardioid configuration and automatically place one of the speakers in cardioid mode. For example, the speakers can be provided with sensors that are able to sense when the speakers are stacked in the cardioid configuration. For example, with reference to FIG. 8A FIG. 8B The speakers 100 (one shown) can be provided with a combination of Hall effect sensors 158 and magnets 160. In the example shown, the Hall effect sensors 158 are provided on the left and right side walls 108c, 108d near the front wall 108e, and the magnets 160 are provided on the left and right side walls 108c, 108d near the rear wall 108f. When stacked in the cardioid configuration, the magnets 160 on one of the speakers 100 will align with the Hall effect sensors 158 on the other speaker 100. The electronics 130 can include a processor for reading the signals from the sensors and initiating cardioid mode. In some cases, the stacked speakers can be provided with a switch or button 156 on the i / o panel 114 for manually engaging cardioid mode. FIG. 3 FIG. 1B ​​​The cable connections of the speakers 100 communicate with one another, or wirelessly via communication hardware provided with the electronic components. The speakers 100 can decide via the communication between them which device will operate in the cardioid mode. In some cases, the speakers 100 can be coupled together in a daisy chain configuration (e.g., via the cable connections) for distributing audio signals and / or data. When the speakers are coupled together in a daisy chain configuration, the upstream (or, alternatively, downstream) speaker can be automatically designated to operate in the cardioid mode when the speakers detect that they are stacked in a cardioid configuration.

[0063] Further details regarding the automatic detection and automatic initiation of the cardioid mode can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 438,138, filed June 11, 2019, entitled “Auto-Configurable Bass Loudspeaker,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0064] In some cases, the speakers can be coupled with a line array loudspeaker to provide an audio system 162, as shown in FIGS. 1A and IB. FIG. 9A FIG. 9B The line array loudspeaker 164 (also referred to as an “array loudspeaker system” or a “loudspeaker system”) includes an array assembly 166 and a base 168. In the illustrated example, the array assembly 166 includes a pair of array housings 170a, 170b, each array housing supporting an associated plurality of electro-acoustic transducers 172 arranged along a vertical axis 174 and configured to radiate acoustic energy outwardly from a front surface of the associated one of the array housings 170a, 170b. The base 168 includes a base housing 176 that houses and supports the array assembly 166. The base housing 176 houses electronic components that power the electro-acoustic transducers 172. Further details regarding the line array loudspeaker can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 669,682, filed October 31, 2019, entitled “Loudspeaker System Cooling,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0065] ​In the illustrated example, a first one of the loudspeakers ("first loudspeaker 100a") is coupled to the line array loudspeaker 164 via a first cable connection 178, with audio being provided from the line array loudspeaker 164 to the first loudspeaker 100a. A second one of the loudspeakers ("second loudspeaker 100b") is in turn coupled to the first loudspeaker 100a via a second cable connection 180 in a daisy chain configuration, with the first loudspeaker 100a relaying audio signals received from the line array loudspeaker 164 to the second loudspeaker 100b. In some cases, data, audio, and power can be provided through the first and second cable connections 178, 180. Suitable cable connections for this purpose are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 456,348, filed June 28, 2019, entitled "Active Loudspeaker and Cable Assembly," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] As noted above, in some cases, the loudspeakers 100a, 100b (generally "100") can be able to automatically detect that they are in a cardioid configuration, and can be configured to automatically place a downstream (or upstream) loudspeaker 100 in a cardioid mode, with a phase shift and delay being applied to the audio signals provided to the electro-acoustic transducer of the loudspeaker 100 placed in the cardioid mode.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, the loudspeakers 100 and the line array loudspeaker 164 can each include an electronic compass (magnetometer). The magnetometer readings can be used to determine the direction of the audio output from the line array loudspeaker (relative to the Earth's magnetic north pole). When the loudspeakers 100 detect via the sensors that they are in a cardioid configuration, the loudspeaker 100 having a magnetometer reading that most closely matches the magnetometer reading of the line array loudspeaker 164 can be assumed to be the front-facing loudspeaker, and the other one of the two loudspeakers can be placed in the cardioid mode.

[0068] While one specific implementation has been described above in which the keying features include interlocking prongs and notches, other configurations of keying features can also be contemplated. For example, FIG. 10A Another specific implementation is shown in which the keying features include a protrusion in the form of an outwardly extending tongue 182 and a recess in the form of a groove 184. As shown, FIG. 10B The tongue 182 and the groove 184 each extend the height of the side walls 108c, 108c from the bottom wall 108b to the top wall 108a. In the illustrated example, each of the left side wall 108c and the right side wall 108d includes one tongue 182 and one groove 184. As shown, FIG. 10B As shown, when stacked, the tongue 182 of one loudspeaker 100a engages the groove 184 of the other loudspeaker 100b, and vice versa.

[0069] In some implementations, the speaker 100 can include a sound-transparent grille 186 covering the electro-acoustic transducer 104 and the bass reflex hole 106 along the front wall of the housing 102, as shown (see also FIG. 11 “grille 186” in FIG. 1B ).

[0070] While several inventive implementations have been described and shown, the person of ordinary skill in the art can contemplate a variety of other devices and / or systems for performing the functions and / or achieving the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive implementations described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific implementations described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing implementations are presented by way of example only and that other implementations may

[0071] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, therefore, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker, the loudspeaker comprising: A housing, the housing comprising a plurality of walls that together define a acoustic cavity; An electroacoustic transducer, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is mounted to the front wall of the housing; The axis of motion of the electroacoustic transducer is offset from the center of mass of the front wall; The loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with another loudspeaker having the same construction in a first configuration, wherein the stacked loudspeakers both face the same direction, such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate sound energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern; Furthermore, the loudspeaker is configured to stack with the other loudspeaker in a second configuration, in which the stacked loudspeakers face opposite directions, such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate sound energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern. The speaker includes a keying component that, when the speaker is in a first orientation relative to the other speaker, does not interlock and thus prevents stacking, and when the speaker is in a second orientation relative to the other speaker, the keying component interlocks to allow stacking; as well as The loudspeaker includes a sensor configured to detect when the loudspeaker is arranged in the second configuration with the other loudspeaker, and in response, automatically apply a phase shift and delay to the electro-audio signal used to drive the electro-acoustic transducer.

2. The loudspeaker of claim 1, further comprising electronic components for processing electro-audio signals and supplying power to the transducer. The electronic components are configured to introduce the phase shift and the delay into the electro-audio signal when the speaker and the other speaker are stacked in the second configuration.

3. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the keying components of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are arranged such that, in each of the first and second configurations, the keying components interlock when the respective motion axes of the electroacoustic transducers of the loudspeakers are aligned in a vertical plane.

4. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of walls includes the front wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. The keying components of the speaker and the other speaker are arranged such that, in each of the first and second configurations, the keying components interlock when the respective top walls of the speaker housings are aligned in a vertical plane.

5. The loudspeaker of claim 4, wherein the keying components of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are arranged such that the keying components do not interlock when the top wall of the loudspeaker is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the bottom wall of the other loudspeaker.

6. The loudspeaker of claim 1, further comprising an aperture extending through the front wall, wherein the keying components of the loudspeaker and the other loudspeaker are arranged such that, in each of the first and second configurations, the keying components interlock when the respective apertures of the loudspeakers are aligned in a vertical plane.

7. The loudspeaker of claim 1, wherein the electroacoustic transducer comprises a diaphragm having a long axis and a short axis, and wherein the long axis is longer than the short axis.

8. The loudspeaker according to claim 7, wherein the diaphragm is elliptical, oval, or racetrack-shaped.

9. The loudspeaker of claim 7 or 8, wherein the plurality of walls includes the front wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. The sidewalls therein are substantially parallel to the long axis, and The top wall has a handle, which allows the speaker to be carried with its long axis arranged perpendicular to the ground.

10. The speaker of claim 1, wherein the keying component includes a protrusion and a recess that interlock when properly aligned.

11. An audio system, the audio system comprising A first speaker and a second speaker, each comprising: A housing, the housing comprising a plurality of walls that together define a acoustic cavity; An electroacoustic transducer, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is mounted to the front wall of the housing; as well as Keying components, The axis of motion of the electroacoustic transducer is offset from the center of mass of the front wall; The first speaker and the second speaker are configured to be stacked on top of each other in a first configuration in which the first speaker and the second speaker both face the same direction, such that the first speaker and the second speaker radiate sound energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern; Furthermore, the first speaker and the second speaker are configured to stack on top of each other in a second configuration in which the first speaker and the second speaker face opposite directions, such that the first speaker and the second speaker radiate sound energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern, and wherein when the first speaker and the second speaker are in a first orientation relative to each other, the corresponding keying components of the first speaker and the second speaker are not interlocked and thus prevent stacking, and when the first speaker and the second speaker are in a second orientation relative to each other, the corresponding keying components are interlocked to allow stacking; as well as The first speaker and the second speaker are configured to automatically detect when the first speaker and the second speaker are stacked in the second configuration.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are configured to be coupled to a line array speaker, and wherein the speaker comprises: Array housing; and a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, the plurality of electroacoustic transducers being arranged along a vertical axis and configured to radiate acoustic energy outward from the front of the array housing.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker are configured to automatically detect which of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker has its front wall facing the direction in which the linear array is radiating acoustic energy, and to automatically apply a phase shift and delay to the audio signal of the electroacoustic transducer used to drive the other loudspeaker of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker.

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