Audio Driver Phase Equalization for Crossover Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Destructive interference of sound from multiple audio drivers at a listening location can negatively impact the listening experience due to phase mismatches between discrete audio drivers in audio systems, which existing equalization schemes fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product that modifies the phase of sound radiated by at least one of the audio drivers to minimize phase response differences between drivers, using an all-pass filter and delay techniques, ensuring in-phase sound arrival at the listening location, particularly in the crossover frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phase modification is applied to align audio drivers, then destructive interference is reduced and magnitude response is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an all-pass filter as an intermediary component that modifies the phase response of audio drivers without affecting their magnitude response. This filter acts as a mediator between the audio signal source and the drivers, enabling phase alignment while maintaining the original frequency characteristics and avoiding direct manipulation of the audio signal's magnitude
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the audio drivers by applying an all-pass filter with specific phase response characteristics. The filter's phase response is designed to counteract the phase differences between drivers in the crossover region, thereby aligning their phase responses without altering their magnitude responses or requiring physical repositioning of the drivers
2Reliability
If phase alignment is achieved across multiple listening locations, then destructive interference is minimized throughout the space, but the processing complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into different regions, with special focus on the crossover region where phase alignment is most critical. By concentrating phase modification efforts on this specific frequency range rather than attempting to align all frequencies across all listening locations, the system achieves effective phase alignment with reduced processing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses measurement data from reference listening locations to determine optimal phase alignment parameters. These measured phase responses are then copied and applied as filter characteristics to align the audio drivers, avoiding the need for complex real-time optimization at each listening location
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces destructive interference by aligning the phase response of audio drivers, improving the magnitude response and ensuring constructive reinforcement of sound, thereby enhancing the listening experience without introducing perceptual unpleasantness or additional spectral boosts.
Implementation Method 1
modifying a phase of the sound radiated by at least one of the first or second drivers such that a phase response difference between the first and second drivers at the listening location is closer to zero degrees
Implementation Method 2
Destructive interference of sound from multiple audio drivers at a listening location can negatively impact the listening experience
Implementation Method 3
ensuring constructive reinforcement of sound, thereby enhancing the listening experience
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system with first and second discrete audio drivers that are in a listening space, wherein each driver is configured to radiate sound into the listening space, and wherein the radiated sound from each driver at a listening location in the listening space has a frequency, phase, and magnitude. The audio system is configured to modify a phase of the sound radiated by at least one of the first or second drivers such that a phase response difference between the first and second drivers at the listening location is closer to zero degrees than it was before the modification.