Loudspeaker Life Testing and Power Amplifier Requirements

Product Development

Chair:
Steven Hutt, Equity Sound Investments - Bloomington, IN, USA
Panelists:
John Dawson, Jade Electronics Ltd - Cambridge, UK
D. B. (Don) Keele, Jr., DBK Associates and Labs - Bloomington, IN, USA
Richard Little, Goertek Electronics Inc. - Santa Clara, CA, USA

Loudspeaker life testing is a critical aspect of characterizing the capacity of loudspeaker (drivers/systems) to accept input voltage. The AES2 (1984/2012) standard defines an accelerated two hour test to define a safe input level from which a device under test (DUT) can recover without permanent alteration. AES2-2012 adopted use of pink noise with a 12 dB Crest Factor that has potential to demand extreme peak capability from power amplifiers. This discussion will address the challenge of updating the life test section of AES2 with incite from industry experts. Discussion may include pre/post measurements, test duration, Crest Factor, source signal, duty cycle, mechanical vs. thermal stress, maximum useful acoustic output, power amplifier requirements, and the challenge of assigning a frequency dependent power rating to loudspeakers.