In this webinar we demonstrate how impedance can be measured using both highly accurate dual channel methods and simpler single channel methods. The presentation discusses the different test methods and show how each can be set up using SoundCheck. In addition, a novel, patent pending, method of single channel measurement that offers similar accuracy to conventional dual channel methods is presented. Presented by Steve Temme, Listen, Inc. Status: Recorded. Watch Webinar
This sequence demonstrates an alternative to the traditional SoundCheck single channel impedance measurement method. A stepped sine sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz is played through the speaker while the signal across the loudspeaker terminals is recorded by Direct In 1 and the signal across the sense resistor (impedance box) is recorded by Direct In 2. A heterodyne analysis step is then applied to calculate the fundamental response from both inputs and a math post-processing step divides Fundamental A (speaker terminal voltage) by Fundamental B (voltage across sense resistor). A post-processing step corrects for the value of the reference resistor before displaying the final impedance curve. The curve is then post-processed to calculate resonance frequency, maximum impedance and Q of the resonance peak. A set of arbitrary limits steps are also provided to generate pass/fail results.
Author: Steve Temme
Loudspeaker impedance measurements are made for many reasons. In the R&D lab, these range from the simple task of identifying a speaker’s resonant frequency to more complex functions such as calculating the speaker’s Thiele-Small parameters. On the production line, impedance measurement is a key quality control parameter that verifies that the speaker’s motor properties are correct, that the magnet is charged correctly, the voice coil number of turns is correct and that the moving mass (cone and voice coil) is within specification.
There are two basic methods of making impedance measurements on loudspeakers, micro-speakers and headphones using sound card and software based systems. These are basic single channel measurements, and more complex, but more accurate, dual channel methods. Both methods are implemented in SoundCheck, and with some additional hardware these tests are simple to carry out.
Impedance measurement is often the sole electrical measurement in a battery of QC tests on loudspeakers and headphones. Two test methods are commonly used, single channel and dual channel. Dual Channel measurement offers greater accuracy as both the voltage across the speaker (or headphone) and the reference resistor are measured to calculate the impedance. Single Channel measurement methods are more commonly used on the production line because they only require one channel of a stereo soundcard, which leaves the other free for simultaneous acoustic
tests. They are less accurate, however, due to the test methods making assumptions of constant voltage or constant current. In this paper we discuss a novel electrical circuit that offers similar impedance measurement accuracy compared to complex dual channel measurement methods but using just one channel. This is expected to become popular for high throughput production line measurements where only one channel is available as the second channel of the typical soundcard is being used for simultaneous acoustic tests.
Authors: Steve Temme and Tony Scott
Presented at the 135th AES Conference, New York 2013
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