Omnidirectional loudspeaker and its compression driver

Abstract

An omnidirectional speaker includes: a lower speaker member having a generally convex outer wall facing upward; an upper speaker member spaced apart from the lower speaker member and having a generally convex outer wall facing downward; and at least one compression driver connected to one of the lower speaker member or the upper speaker member along a central axis. The at least one compression driver includes a magnet assembly, a diaphragm operably connected to the magnet assembly, a three-phase plug adjacent to the diaphragm, and a compression chamber defined between the diaphragm and the three-phase plug. The lower speaker member and the upper speaker member are coupled via the at least one compression driver in a spaced apart relationship along the central axis to define a path for radiating sound waves generated by the compression driver in a generally horizontal 360° radiation pattern.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments relate to omnidirectional speakers and compression drivers for use in omnidirectional speakers. Background Art

[0002] An ideal omnidirectional speaker emits sound in a similar manner in all directions and, from an acoustic point of view, behaves like a pulsating sphere. Typically, in practical applications, omnidirectionality is provided in the horizontal plane. Omnidirectional transducers and speaker systems incorporating omnidirectional transducers are used in a variety of applications, such as high-fidelity speakers, alarm systems, and landscape speaker systems.

[0003] A typical omnidirectional speaker system includes a direct radiating transducer with a conical or dome diaphragm, which has a corresponding "diffuser" that spreads sound waves in an omnidirectional manner. The transducer is oriented in such a way that the diaphragm axis is oriented vertically, thereby converting the sound radiation into a distribution in the horizontal plane. Unfortunately, the efficiency of direct radiating transducers is very low, only a few percentage points at most. This limits the efficiency, sensitivity and maximum sound pressure level of transducers and speaker systems that provide omnidirectional radiation. In addition, existing speaker systems used for omnidirectional purposes usually include directional speaker arrays, and these systems have cancellation areas between the individual speakers, which leads to uneven coverage patterns and reduced performance. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one or more embodiments, a compression driver for an omnidirectional speaker includes: a magnet assembly disposed about a central axis; and a diaphragm coaxially disposed above the magnet assembly and operably connected to the magnet assembly. The compression driver also includes a three-phase plug, the three-phase plug including a base having a first side and an opposite second side facing the diaphragm, the base including a plurality of holes extending through the base and arranged approximately circumferentially around the central axis. The three-phase plug includes a raised portion extending upward from the base and defining a plurality of radial expansion channels acoustically connected to the holes. A compression chamber is defined between the diaphragm and the three-phase plug, wherein actuation of the diaphragm by the magnet assembly generates sound waves within the compression chamber, the sound waves traveling through the plurality of holes and the radial expansion channels to generate a generally horizontal 360° radiation pattern of the sound waves from the compression driver.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, an omnidirectional speaker includes: a lower speaker member having a generally convex outer wall facing upward; an upper speaker member spaced apart from the lower speaker member and having a generally convex outer wall facing downward; and at least one compression driver connected to one of the lower speaker member or the upper speaker member along a central axis. The at least one compression driver includes a magnet assembly, a diaphragm operably connected to the magnet assembly, a three-phase plug adjacent to the diaphragm, and a compression chamber defined between the diaphragm and the three-phase plug. The lower speaker member and the upper speaker member are coupled via the at least one compression driver in a spaced apart relationship along the central axis to define a path for radiating sound waves generated by the compression driver in a generally horizontal 360° radiation pattern.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, a speaker array includes a plurality of omnidirectional speakers, each omnidirectional speaker including a lower speaker member having a generally convex upward facing outer wall, the outer wall having a circumferential edge; and an upper speaker member spaced apart from the lower speaker member and having a generally convex downward facing outer wall, the outer wall having a circumferential edge. Each omnidirectional speaker also includes at least one compression driver connected to one of the lower speaker member or the upper speaker member along a central axis and including a magnet assembly, a diaphragm operably connected to the magnet assembly, a three-phase plug adjacent to the diaphragm, and a compression chamber defined between the diaphragm and the three-phase plug. The lower speaker member and the upper speaker member are coupled via the at least one compression driver in a spaced relationship along the central axis to define a path for radiating sound waves generated by the compression driver in a generally horizontal 360° radiation pattern, and adjacent omnidirectional speakers are assembled via the circumferential edges of the lower speaker member and the upper speaker member to form the speaker array. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a compression driver for an omnidirectional speaker according to one or more embodiments;

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a three-phase plug according to one or more embodiments;

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Top view of a three-phase plug;

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Bottom view of the three-phase plug;

[0011] Figure 5is an exploded view of an omnidirectional speaker including a compression driver and lower and upper speaker members;

[0012] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled omnidirectional speaker according to one or more embodiments;

[0013] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an omnidirectional loudspeaker with dual compression drivers;

[0014] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an omnidirectional loudspeaker including opposing drivers of different frequency outputs;

[0015] Fig. 9 A speaker array showing omnidirectional speakers according to one or more embodiments;

[0016] Fig.10 An omnidirectional speaker having a cover and a support frame is shown;

[0017] Fig.11 is a perspective view of a speaker assembly having an omnidirectional speaker mounted on a housing housing a woofer; and

[0018] Fig.12 is a graph of the directional response of an omnidirectional loudspeaker in the vertical plane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention that may be embodied in various alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in various ways.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, an omnidirectional speaker is disclosed that utilizes a compression driver to efficiently and effectively produce sound in a substantially horizontal 360° radiation pattern. The use of a compression driver in the omnidirectional speaker disclosed herein results in a ten-fold increase in efficiency and sensitivity, and an increase in maximum sound pressure level, compared to a direct radiating dome speaker.

[0021] First reference Figure 1, shows an exploded perspective view of a compression driver 100 including a magnet assembly 102 coaxially disposed along a central axis 108, an annular curved diaphragm 104, and a three-phase plug 106. In one or more embodiments, the magnet assembly 102 can include an annular permanent magnet 110 disposed between an annular top plate 112 and a back plate 114, but the magnet assembly 102 is not limited to such a structure. As is known in the art, the magnet assembly 102 provides a permanent magnetic field for electrodynamic coupling with a voice coil (not shown), wherein the voice coil is coupled to the diaphragm 104 and produces movement of a flexible portion of the diaphragm 104.

[0022] There are two main types of compression drivers, the first using a dome diaphragm and the other using a ring-shaped curved diaphragm 104 as disclosed herein. One advantage of a ring-shaped diaphragm is that the radial dimension of the moving portion of the diaphragm is smaller than that of a dome diaphragm having a moving voice coil of the same diameter. In a compression driver, the diaphragm 104 is composed of a compression chamber 116 ( Figure 6 ) is carried by the compression chamber, which is a thin layer of air separating the diaphragm 104 from the three-phase plug 106. The volume of air trapped in the compression chamber 116 is characterized by an acoustic compliance that is proportional to the volume of the compression chamber 116. The small radial dimension of the annular diaphragm 104 corresponds to the small radial dimension of the matching compression chamber 116, which shifts the unwanted air resonances (cross modes) in the chamber to higher frequencies, sometimes above the audio range. Because the annular diaphragm 104 has two clamping perimeters on the inside and outside of the moving part of the diaphragm 104, the annular diaphragm 104 has better dynamic stability and is less prone to rocking modes than a dome diaphragm with only external clamping. The diaphragm 104 may include a profiled section, such as a V-shaped section 118, or may have other suitable configurations.

[0023] Continue to refer Figure 1 And reference Figures 2 to 4 , the three-phase plug 106 includes a base 120 and raised portions 122 extending upward from the base 120 and arranged generally symmetrically about the central axis 108. The raised portions 122 may have a generally constant height above the base 120, and the raised portions 122 may be integrally formed with the base 120 or may be attached to the base 122 in any suitable manner. The base 120 may be generally circular or may have any other suitable geometric shape.

[0024] The base 120 includes a first side 124 ( Figures 2 to 3 ) and an opposite second side 126 ( Figure 4). The base 120 also includes one or more holes 128 extending as a passage through the base 120 from the first side 124 to the second side 126 through which sound waves generated by the diaphragm 104 can travel. In the embodiments described herein, the holes 128 can be arranged generally circumferentially around the central axis 108, thereby generally forming a circle relative to the center of the three-phase plug 106.

[0025] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 128 is configured as a plurality of diagonal slots. The slots are positioned end-to-end, for example, in a "zigzag" or sawtooth pattern. Such a serpentine pattern of axially oriented slots can "cancel" the resonant effects produced by the combination of mechanical and acoustic modes (resonances) in the compression chamber 116, thereby averaging, randomizing, and integrating the sound pressure in the compression chamber 116 in a manner such that the overall frequency response of the compression driver 100 becomes smoother. Instead of substantially linear or rectangular slots, the aperture 128 may include a plurality of curved slots, for example, wherein the slots are positioned end-to-end in a smooth "zigzag" or sinusoidal pattern. Further, for example, a plurality of circular or square apertures 128 may be used. It should be understood that the aperture 128 is not limited to the embodiments depicted herein and may include other suitable shapes and configurations. For example, the plurality of slots may be uninterrupted so as to form a continuous sawtooth or sinusoidal arrangement of the apertures 128. The configuration of the apertures 128 described herein may provide for reflection-free propagation of sound waves from the compression chamber 116 to the outlet of the compression driver 100.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the raised portion 122 may have a central section 130 and a plurality of arms 132 extending outwardly therefrom. The holes 128 may be disposed or formed along an edge 134 of the central section 130, wherein the arms 132 extend between each pair of adjacent holes 128. In other words, the arms 132 may be disposed on each side of the holes 128. In top view, each arm 132 may have a generally triangular shape. In one or more embodiments, a first arm 132a having a wider width along the circumferential direction of the three-phase plug 106 may alternate with a second arm 132b having a relatively narrower width along the circumferential direction of the three-phase plug 106. For the triangular shape, the arms 132 are widest near the edge 134 of the central section 130 and taper in width toward the perimeter 136 of the base 120. Of course, it should be understood that the three-phase plug 106 is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and the base 120 and the raised portion 122 may include other suitable shapes and configurations.

[0027] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3, each hole 128 is thus acoustically connected to a corresponding radially expanding channel 138 defined between each pair of adjacent arms 132 and the base 120. The radial channels 138 have an expanding width and merge at the perimeter 136 of the base 120 and, therefore, at the perimeter of the compression driver 100. The channels 138 can be used to ensure that the sound pressure is evenly distributed around the entire compression driver 100 to achieve omnidirectional radiation of sound. In addition to the embodiments described herein, it is also contemplated that the three-phase plug 106 may include a fewer or greater number of channels 138, or alternatively may be constructed without radially expanding air channels.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As best shown, the three-phase plug 106 may include a mounting member 140 on the second side 126 that depends downwardly from the base 120. The mounting member 140 may have any configuration suitable for coupling the three-phase plug 106 to the magnet assembly 102 or the rear section of the compression driver 100. In one embodiment, the mounting member 140 may be provided in the form of a cylinder. The magnet assembly 102, the diaphragm 104, and the three-phase plug 106 may be connected together by fasteners passing through the mounting holes 142.

[0029] Figure 5 1 is an exploded view of an omnidirectional speaker 200 including a compression driver 100 and an exponential horn including a first or lower speaker member 202 and a second or upper speaker member 204, according to one or more embodiments. The lower speaker member 202 can be generally bowl-shaped, having a generally convex upwardly facing outer wall 206 and a generally concave downwardly facing inner wall 208 defining a lower cavity 210. Accordingly, the upper speaker member 204 can be generally bowl-shaped, having a generally convex downwardly facing outer wall 212 and a generally concave upwardly facing inner wall 214 defining an upper cavity 216. Both the upper speaker member 202 and the lower speaker member 204 can be rotationally symmetric about the central axis 108.

[0030] At least one of the lower speaker member 202 and the upper speaker member 204 includes a recess 218, which may be generally cylindrical and sized to at least partially receive the compression driver 100. The recess 218 may be defined by a generally planar base member 220 and an upstanding wall structure 222 connected to and at least partially surrounding the base member 220, wherein the recess 218 includes an opening 224 adjacent to the outer wall 206, 212 of the corresponding speaker member 202, 204. The compression driver 100 may be disposed or mounted within the recess 218, such as by one or more fasteners engaging the base member 220, for generating acoustic energy and directing the acoustic energy in an axial direction.

[0031] Figure 6 2 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled omni-directional speaker 200 including a compression driver 100 and a lower speaker member 202 and an upper speaker member 204. In the case where the compression driver 100 is received in the lower speaker member 202, the upper speaker member 204 is mounted on and secured to the compression driver 100 by fasteners, such as mounting screws, passing through assembly holes or apertures 226. Of course, if the compression driver 100 is received in the upper speaker member 204, the lower speaker member 202 can be secured to the compression driver 100. When assembled, the compression driver 100 is generally centrally located within the omni-directional speaker 200, and the lower speaker member 202 and the upper speaker member 204 are separated, for example, by the raised portion 122 of the three-prong plug 106. The sound waves generated by the diaphragm 104 propagate through the aperture 128 into a radially expanding annular waveguide formed by the radially expanding air passages 138 of the raised portion 122 of the three-phase plug 106 and the outer walls 206 , 212 of the lower and upper horn members 202 , 204 .

[0032] Continue to refer Figure 6 , the compression chamber 116 is located in the space between the diaphragm 104 and the second side 126 of the three-phase plug base 120. In practice, the height of the compression chamber 116 can be very small (e.g., about 0.5 mm or less), so that the volume of the compression chamber 116 is also small. The actuation of the diaphragm 104 generates a high sound pressure acoustic signal within the compression chamber 116, and the signal travels as a sound wave through the base 120 of the three-phase plug 106 via the hole 128, which provides a passage from the second side 126 to the first side 124. Using the hole 128, the inlet area of ​​the three-phase plug 106 is significantly smaller than the area of ​​the diaphragm 104. The air path of the three-phase plug 106 is essentially the starting point for the speaker, which is used to control the directivity (i.e., the sound pressure coverage on a specific listening area) and improve the reproduced sound pressure level within a specific frequency range. The total acoustic cross-sectional area of ​​the air paths in the three-phase plug 106 and in the speaker members 202, 204 gradually increases to provide a smooth transition of the sound waves, the air paths including the aperture 128 and the outwardly radiating passages 138. From the aperture 128, the sound waves radiate outward along the radially expanding passages 138 through the passages 228 between the compression driver 100 and the speaker members 202, 204, and propagate omnidirectionally into the surrounding environment.

[0033] The lower speaker member 202 limits the propagation of acoustic energy in a first axial direction (i.e., downward), while the upper speaker member 204 limits the propagation of acoustic energy in a second axial direction (i.e., upward). Thus, the lower speaker member 202 and the upper speaker member 204 provide acoustic loading for the compression driver 100 and control directivity in the vertical plane. The lower speaker member 202 and the upper speaker member 204 combine to define a passage 228 therebetween to radially direct the flow of acoustic energy, wherein like a radial horn providing omnidirectional coverage, extending 360° around the central axis 108 to direct the flow of acoustic energy generated by the compression driver 100 to radiate 360° horizontally outward in all directions.

[0034] Of course, it should be understood that the directional identifiers used herein (eg, up and down and upward and downward) are not intended to be limiting, but are merely used to provide exemplary context for the components of the omnidirectional speaker 200 as disclosed herein.

[0035] Figure 7 218 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an omnidirectional speaker 200 including a dual compression driver 100. As shown, a first compression driver 100a is disposed within a lower speaker member 202, and a second compression driver 100b is disposed within an upper speaker member 204 in opposite axial orientations, wherein the first compression driver 100a and the second compression driver 100b are fixed to each other. Thus, the first compression driver 100a produces sound in a first axial direction, and the second compression driver 100b produces sound in a second or opposite axial direction. This construction further improves the sound pressure output and maximum sound pressure level of the omnidirectional speaker 200, wherein the compression drivers 100a, 100b are vertically arranged in a very compact space in opposing recesses 218.

[0036] Figure 82 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an omnidirectional speaker 200 having compression drivers 100a, 100b of different sizes and frequency ranges. In the example shown, the high frequency driver 100a is disposed within the lower speaker member 202 and the mid-frequency driver 100b is disposed within the upper speaker member 204, but the omnidirectional speaker 200 is not limited to this type and arrangement of drivers 100a, 100b. Likewise, the compression drivers 100a, 100b are vertically arranged in a very compact space in opposing recesses 218 and their outputs are mixed, wherein the drivers 100a, 100b may be directly fixed to each other or both may be bonded to the middle plate 230. In this configuration, two compression drivers 100a, 100b having different sized voice coils and diaphragms may be coupled to provide a sum of signals at the outlet of the three-phase plug 106, and the output of the drivers 100a, 100b passes through the passage 228 formed between the speaker members 202, 204 and then radiates evenly in the horizontal plane, thereby evenly distributing the sound in a 360° pattern. Thus, the omnidirectional speaker 200 functions as a two-way system, thereby extending its frequency range.

[0037] Each omnidirectional speaker 200 is suitable as an independent acoustic unit, but if a system with a higher sound pressure level output is required, multiple omnidirectional speakers 200 can be assembled or stacked vertically up and down in a modular manner to form a system such as Fig. 9 The omnidirectional speaker array 300 is shown. The lower speaker member 202 and the upper speaker member 204 each have a generally circular peripheral edge 232, 234 surrounding the cavity 210, 216, so that adjacent speaker members 202, 204 can be connected at their respective peripheral edges 232, 234, such as by fasteners or adhesives, to form the speaker array 300. The modularity of the omnidirectional speakers 200 disclosed herein advantageously allows speaker systems with a wide range of potential strengths to be constructed by assembling an appropriate number of speaker units 200, each having the same size, engagement and mounting surface, and fastening structure.

[0038] like Fig. 9 As shown, the ends of the speaker array 300 can remain open, or the lower chamber 210 of the lower speaker member 202 and the upper chamber 216 of the upper speaker member 204 can each be used as shown. Fig.10 The horn members 202, 204 are surrounded by a cover 236 as shown. In one or more embodiments, the cover 236 can be generally bowl-shaped and can correspond to the size and shape of the horn members 202, 204. In other embodiments, the cover 236 can be, for example, generally spherical or conical, or have other configurations, all of which will provide slightly different acoustic behavior from a diffraction perspective.

[0039] Fig.10An omnidirectional speaker 200 is depicted having a cover 236 surrounding the lower speaker member 202 and the upper speaker member 204. As shown, a support frame 238, which may include support legs, may be mounted or integrally formed with the lower cover 236 for supporting the omnidirectional speaker 200 or speaker array 300 on a surface. Fig.11 The omnidirectional speaker 200 (eg, Fig.10 00, wherein the omnidirectional speaker is mounted on a housing 402 that includes a woofer 404, for example.

[0040] Fig.12 is a graph of the directional response of an omnidirectional loudspeaker 200 and an incorporated compression driver 100 in the vertical plane, the compression driver 100 including a 1.5" diameter voice coil and a polymer curved annular diaphragm 104. The axisymmetric horn created by the lower horn member 202 and the upper horn member 204 provides an acoustic load equivalent to an exponential type horn.

[0041] Applications of the compression driver 100, omnidirectional speaker 200, and speaker array 300 described herein include, but are not limited to, landscape sound systems, high-fidelity systems, home lifestyle speaker systems, public address systems, alarm and warning sound systems, Bluetooth-based portable audio speakers, high-powered suspended speakers, negative directivity ceiling speakers, or other applications where omnidirectionality is desired or required. The use of the compression driver 100 in the omnidirectional speaker 200 disclosed herein results in a ten-fold increase in efficiency and sensitivity, and an increase in maximum sound pressure level, compared to a direct radiating dome speaker. The compression driver 100 and omnidirectional speaker 200 provide uniform acoustic radiation of all frequencies throughout a 360° coverage area, are easily scalable for different sizes of voice coils and diaphragms, and provide a modular system for building custom speaker arrays.

[0042] Although the above describes exemplary embodiments, it is not expected that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the present invention. In fact, the wording used in the specification is used for description rather than limitation, and it should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the features of the various embodiments can be combined to form other embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compression driver for an omnidirectional speaker, the compression driver comprising: a magnet assembly disposed about a central axis; a diaphragm coaxially disposed above the magnet assembly and operably connected to the magnet assembly, wherein the diaphragm is annular in shape; a three-phase plug including a base having a first side and an opposing second side facing the diaphragm, the base including a plurality of holes extending through the base and arranged circumferentially about the central axis, the three-phase plug including a raised portion extending upwardly from the base and defining a plurality of radially extending channels acoustically connected to the holes; as well as a compression chamber defined between the diaphragm and the three-phase plug, wherein actuation of the diaphragm by the magnet assembly generates acoustic waves within the compression chamber, the acoustic waves traveling through the plurality of holes and the radially expanding passage to produce a horizontal 360° radiation pattern of the acoustic waves from the compression driver.

2. The compression driver of claim 1, wherein the raised portion has a constant height above the base.

3. The compression driver of claim 1, wherein the raised portion has a central section and a plurality of arms extending outwardly from the central section, wherein a pair of adjacent arms defines one of the plurality of radially expanding channels therebetween.

4. The compression driver of claim 3, wherein the holes are disposed along an edge of the central section, with arms disposed on each side of each hole.

5. The compression driver of claim 4, wherein each arm is triangular in shape and is widest near the edge of the central section and tapers in width toward the perimeter of the base.

6. The compression driver of claim 3, wherein the arm comprises a first arm and a second arm, the first arms having a wider width along a circumferential direction of the three-phase plug alternating with the second arms having a relatively narrower width along the circumferential direction of the three-phase plug.

7. The compression driver of claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes comprises a plurality of diagonal slots positioned end to end.

8. An omnidirectional loudspeaker, comprising: a lower horn member having a convex upwardly facing outer wall; an upper horn member spaced from the lower horn member and having a convex downwardly facing outer wall; as well as at least one compression driver connected to one of the lower horn member or the upper horn member along a central axis and comprising a magnet assembly, a diaphragm operably connected to the magnet assembly, a three-phase plug adjacent to the diaphragm, and a compression chamber defined between the diaphragm and the three-phase plug, wherein the diaphragm is annular in shape, Wherein the lower speaker member and the upper speaker member are coupled via the at least one compression driver in a spaced relationship along the central axis to define a pathway for radiating sound waves generated by the compression driver in a horizontal 360° radiation pattern.

9. The omnidirectional loudspeaker of claim 8, wherein at least one of the lower speaker member or the upper speaker member comprises a recess for at least partially receiving the at least one compression driver.

10. The omnidirectional loudspeaker of claim 8, wherein the at least one compression driver comprises a first compression driver disposed in the lower speaker member and a second compression driver disposed in the upper speaker member in an opposite axial orientation.

11. The omnidirectional speaker of claim 10, wherein the first compression driver and the second compression driver have different frequency outputs.

12. The omnidirectional speaker of claim 8, wherein the three-phase plug includes a base having a first side and an opposite second side facing the diaphragm, the base including a plurality of holes extending through the base and arranged circumferentially around the central axis.

13. An omnidirectional speaker as described in claim 12, wherein the three-phase plug includes a raised portion extending upward from the base and defining a plurality of radial expansion channels acoustically connected to the holes, wherein the diaphragm is actuated by the magnet assembly to generate sound waves in the compression chamber, and the sound waves travel through the plurality of holes and the radial expansion channels.

14. The omnidirectional speaker of claim 13, wherein the raised portion has a constant height above the base.

15. An omnidirectional speaker as described in claim 13, wherein the raised portion has a central section and a plurality of arms extending outward from the central section, wherein a pair of adjacent arms define one of the plurality of radial expansion channels therebetween, and wherein the holes are arranged along the edge of the central section, with one arm arranged on each side of each hole.

16. The omnidirectional loudspeaker of claim 8, wherein the lower horn member includes a concave downwardly facing inner wall defining a lower cavity, and wherein the upper horn member includes a concave upwardly facing inner wall defining an upper cavity.

17. The omnidirectional speaker of claim 16, further comprising at least one cover arranged to surround the lower cavity of the lower speaker member and the upper cavity of the upper speaker member, respectively.

18. The omnidirectional speaker of claim 8, further comprising a support frame coupled to the lower speaker member for supporting the omnidirectional speaker on a surface.

19. A speaker array, comprising: Multiple omnidirectional speakers, each omnidirectional speaker includes a lower horn member having a convex upwardly facing outer wall having a peripheral edge; an upper horn member spaced from the lower horn member and having a convex downwardly facing outer wall having a peripheral edge; as well as at least one compression driver connected to one of the lower horn member or the upper horn member along a central axis and comprising a magnet assembly, a diaphragm operably connected to the magnet assembly, a three-phase plug adjacent to the diaphragm, and a compression chamber defined between the diaphragm and the three-phase plug, wherein the diaphragm is annular in shape, wherein the lower speaker member and the upper speaker member are coupled via the at least one compression driver in a spaced relationship along the central axis to define a pathway for radiating sound waves generated by the compression driver in a horizontal 360° radiation pattern, and Adjacent omnidirectional loudspeakers are assembled via the circumferential edges of the lower speaker member and the upper speaker member to form the loudspeaker array.

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