Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Impedance Compensation Networks For The Lossy Voice-Coil Inductance of Loudspeaker Drivers
Impedance Compensation Networks For The Lossy Voice-Coil Inductance of Loudspeaker Drivers
Impedance Compensation Networks For The Lossy Voice-Coil Inductance of Loudspeaker Drivers
Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Atlanta, GA 30332-0250, USA
Two simple Zobel impedance compensation networks for the lossy voice-coil inductance
of a loudspeaker driver are described. Design equations for the element values are given, and
a numerical example is presented. The synthesis procedure can be extended to realize general
RC networks which exhibit an impedance that decreases with frequency at a rate of −n
dec/dec, where 0 < n < 1.
R0 + Z⬘0 be connected in parallel with Z1. The condition circuit has an impedance equal to RE at all frequencies [2].
that the parallel connection have a resistive impedance In this case R1 and C1 form a simple Zobel network, which
equal to R0 is that Z⬘1 ⳱ R20/Z1. This is a general result that cancels the lossless LE from the input impedance of the
is not specific to loudspeakers. For completeness, its deri- driver.
vation is given in the following where the notation used is In [10] it is shown that a lossy voice-coil inductance has
that for the voice-coil impedance. an impedance that can often be approximated by
The voice coil of a loudspeaker driver exhibits both a where Le and n are constants. Fig. 2(b) shows the circuit of
series resistance and an inductance. In the following it is Fig. 2(a) with LE replaced with ZL(j) and C1 replaced
assumed that the resistance is separated and treated as a with an impedance Z1(j). Let Zin be the input impedance
separate element, that is, not a part of the voice-coil in- to the circuit. The source current Is can be written
ductance. Fig. 1 shows the voice-coil equivalent circuit of
a driver in an infinite baffle [8]. The resistor RE and the Vs Vs − V1 Vs − VL
Is = = + . (5)
inductor LE represent the voice-coil resistance and induc- Zin R1 RE
tance. The elements RES, LCES, and CMES model the mo- If Zin ⳱ RE and R1 ⳱ RE, this equation can be solved for
tional impedance generated when the voice coil moves. Vs to obtain
These elements are related to the small-signal parameters
of the driver by the equations [9] Z1 ZL
Vs = V1 + VL = Vs + Vs (6)
RE + Z1 RE + ZL
QMS
RES = R (1) where voltage division has been used to express V1 and VL
QES E
as functions of Vs. This equation can be solved for Z1 to
RE obtain
LCES = (2)
冋 冉 冊 冉 冊册
2fSQES
R2E R2E n n
QES Z1共j兲 = = cos − j sin . (7)
CMES = (3) ZL共j兲 Le n 2 2
2fSRE
It follows that Zin ⳱ RE if R1 ⳱ RE and Z1(j) is given by
where QMS is the mechanical quality factor, QES is the Eq. (7). In this case the high-frequency voice-coil imped-
electrical quality factor, and fS is the fundamental reso- ance is resistive at all frequencies. Note that |Z1(j)| ⬀ −n
nance frequency. so that a plot of |Z1(j)| versus on log–log scales is a
Above the fundamental resonance frequency, the ca- straight line with a slope of −n dec/dec. It should also be
pacitor CMES becomes a short circuit and the voice-coil noted that Z1(j) is the dual of ZL(j) scaled by the factor
impedance can be approximated by RE in series with LE. R2E, which follows from the fundamental principle derived
The equivalent high-frequency circuit is shown in Fig. by Zobel.
2(a). A resistor R1 in series with a capacitor C1 is shown
in parallel with the voice-coil impedance. At low frequen- 2 APPROXIMATING IMPEDANCE
cies the impedance of the circuit is RE. If the inductor is
lossless, the high-frequency impedance is R1. If R1 ⳱ RE Fig. 3 shows the Bode magnitude plot of an impedance
and R1C1 ⳱ LE/RE, it is straightforward to show that the which exhibits a slope of −n dec/dec between the frequen-
cies f1 and f6. Also shown are the asymptotes of an ap-
proximating impedance which exhibit alternating slopes of
−1 and 0. Four frequencies are labeled between f1 and f6 at
which the slopes of the asymptotes change. In the general
case, let there be N frequencies, where N is even and N ⱖ
4. In this case the number of asymptotes having a slope of
0 is (N − 2)/2. Let k be the ratio of the asymptotic ap-
Fig. 1. Equivalent circuit of voice-coil impedance. proximating impedance to the desired impedance at f ⳱ f1.
The desired impedance at f1 is labeled |Z1| in Fig. 3 and is Let Z1( f) be the approximating impedance function. It is
given by given by
|Z1| = Le共2f1兲n. (8) k |Z1| 1 + j共 f Ⲑ f2兲
Z1共 f 兲 = × . (15)
The approximating impedance at f1 is labeled k|Z1|. j共 f Ⲑ f1兲 1 + j共 f Ⲑ f3兲
With n, f1, and fN specified, the object is to specify k and 2.2 Case B: N = 6
f2 through fN−1 such that the ratios of each even sub-
Let f1 and f6 be specified. For N ⳱ 6, Eqs. (9)–(11) can
scripted frequency to the odd subscripted frequency to its
be solved to obtain
left are equal and the intersection points (indicated by dots
冉冊
n共1−n兲
on the plot) occur at the geometric mean of the adjacent f 2共2+n兲
frequencies. In this case the lengths of the six dashed k= 6 (16)
f1
vertical lines in Fig. 3 are equal and the asymptotes of the
2 n
approximating impedance approximate the desired imped- f2 = f 2+n f 2+n (17)
1 6
ance in an equal ripple sense between f1 and fN.
1+n 1
It is straightforward to show that the following condi-
f3 = f 2+n f 2+n (18)
tions must hold: 1 6
冉冊 冉冊 冉 冊
1−n 1−n 1−n 1 1+n
f 2 f 2 fN 2 f4 = f 2+n f 2+n (19)
k= 2 = 4 =⭈⭈⭈= (9) 1 6
f1 f3 fN−1
n 2
f5 = f 2+n f 2+n. (20)
f2 = f 1−n
1 f n
3
1 6
f3 = f n2 f 1−n
4
2.3 Example Plots
To illustrate the accuracy of the approximating func-
f5 = f n4 f 1−n
6
(11) tions, let the impedance given by Eq. (7) be approximated
⯗ over a three-decade band for the case n ⳱ 0.5. The smaller
fN−1 = f N−2
n
f 1−n the value of n, the poorer the approximation. In the au-
N .
thor’s experience, the value of n for most loudspeaker
Solutions to these equations are given next for the cases drivers is in the range from 0.6 to 0.7. Thus the value n⳱
N ⳱ 4 and N ⳱ 6. 0.5 results in an approximation that is worse than what can
be expected with the typical driver.
2.1 Case A: N = 4 Fig. 4 shows the calculated Bode magnitude plots.
Let f1 and f4 be specified. For N ⳱ 4, Eqs. (9)–(11) can Curve a is the desired impedance. Curve b is the approxi-
be solved to obtain mating impedance for N ⳱ 4. Curve c is the approximat-
ing impedance for N ⳱ 6. It can be seen that the approxi-
冉冊
n共1−n兲
f 2共1+n兲 mating impedance functions ripple about the desired
k= 4 (12)
f1 function over the band of interest with a maximum devia-
1 n tion occurring at the two frequency extremes. Between the
f2 = f 1+n
1
f 1+n
4
(13) two extremes, the maximum deviation is less than it is at
n 1 the extremes because the design equations are derived
f3 = f 1+n
1
f 1+n
4
. (14) from the asymptotes of the approximating function.
Fig. 4. Example plots of desired impedance (curve a) and approximating impedances (curves b, c) versus frequency for n ⳱ 0.5.
3 THE COMPENSATING CIRCUITS The impedance of the circuit is equal to that of Eq. (21) if
3.1 Network A f2 f4
C1 = (33)
Fig. 5(a) shows a circuit consisting of two capacitors 2f1 f3 f5 k |Z1|
and one resistor, which can be used to realize the imped-
ance of Eq. (15). The impedance is given by f2 − f3 − f5 + f3 f5 Ⲑ f2
C2 = C1 (34)
f4 − f2
1 1 + s Ⲑ 2
Z1共s兲 = × (22)
s共C1 + C2兲 1 + s Ⲑ 3 1
R2 = (35)
2f2C2
where s ⳱ j ⳱ j2f and
1 f3 − f4 + f5 − f3 f5 Ⲑ f4
2 = 2f2 = (23) C3 = C1 (36)
R2C2 f4 − f2
C1 + C2 1
3 = 2f3 = . (24) R3 = . (37)
R2C1C2 2f4C3
calculated from Eqs. (38) through (40). It can be shown and their application. The dc voice-coil resistance was
that the elements RP, LP, and CP are given by found to be RE ⳱ 5.1 ⍀. The voice-coil impedance was
␣QES QLRE measured at 62 frequencies between 14.8 Hz and 20 kHz
RP = (44) with an MLSSA analyzer. The data in the range from 1.8
h
to 20 kHz were used to calculate the lossy voice-coil in-
␣QESRE ductance parameters. Calculations on the MLSSA data
LP = (45)
2fSh2 yielded the parameters RES ⳱ 26.9 ⍀, LCES ⳱ 38.1 mH,
1 CMES ⳱ 424 F, n ⳱ 0.764, and Le ⳱ 0.0150. Fig. 7
CP = (46) shows the measured magnitude and phase of the imped-
2fS␣QESRE ance as circles and the impedance calculated from the
where ␣ ⳱ VAS/VB is the system compliance ratio, QL is equation
冉 冊
the enclosure quality factor at the Helmholtz resonance
1 1 −1
frequency, and h ⳱ fB/fS is the system tuning ratio [13]. ZVC共j兲 = RE + Le共j兲n + + + jCMES
RES jLCES
5 NUMERICAL EXAMPLE (47)
One sample of the JBL model 2241H 18-in (0.457-m) shown as a solid line, where ⳱ 2f. The figure shows
professional woofer was selected to illustrate the networks excellent agreement between the measured and calculated
Fig. 6. Compensation circuits for low-frequency impedance rise. (a) Infinite-baffle and closed-box drivers. (b) Vented-box drivers.
Fig. 7. Impedance measured and calculated from Eq. (47) (———) for JBL driver. (a) Magnitude. (b) Phase.
data, thus verifying the calculated values of the driver frequency band from f1 ⳱ 300 Hz to fN ⳱ 20 kHz. Table
parameters. 1 summarizes the intermediate calculations for the two
The element values for the Zobel networks were calcu- networks. Table 2 gives the calculated element values.
lated to compensate for the voice-coil inductance over the Network A is the network of Fig. 5(a). Network B is that
of Fig. 5(b). The element values for the optional network
Table 1. Summary intermediate calculations.
to compensate for the impedance rise at resonance have
Network A Network B the values RS ⳱ 0.858 ⍀, LS ⳱ 11 mH, and CS ⳱ 1460
F. It is quite obvious that these values would be imprac-
N 4 6
k 1.24 1.15
tical in a passive crossover network. Indeed, an 11-mH
| Z1| 4.77 ⍀ 4.77 ⍀ air-core inductor would in all probability have a series
f1 300 Hz 300 Hz resistance greater than 0.858 ⍀. For these reasons, the
f2 1.85 kHz 958 Hz impedance Z2(j) has been omitted in the following. How-
f3 3.24 kHz 1.37 kHz ever, it would be expected that the element values would
f4 20 kHz 4.38 kHz
f5 6.26 kHz
fall in a more practical range for midrange and tweeter
f6 20 kHz drivers which have a much higher resonance frequency
than the driver considered here.
Table 2. Element values. Fig. 8 shows the magnitude and phase of the voice-coil
impedance with and without Zobel network A. The plots
Network A Network B are calculated from the measured voice-coil data and not
R1 5.1 ⍀ 5.1 ⍀ those predicted by Eq. (47). The plots for network B are
C1 51.2 F 47.4 F not shown because, for all practical purposes, they are not
R2 2.23 ⍀ 5.25 ⍀ distinguishable from those of network A. However, this may
C2 38.5 F 31.6 F not be the case with drivers that have a lower value of n.
R3 2.03 ⍀ To evaluate the effect of the Zobel networks on the
C3 17.9 F
performance of passive crossover networks, the voice-coil
Fig. 8. Impedance of JBL driver with and without Zobel network A. (a) Magnitude. (b) Phase.
voltage of the JBL driver was calculated for a source volt- Third-order networks are usually designed for a Butter-
age of 1 V rms with second- and third-order low-pass worth response. The crossover frequency is the −3-dB
crossover networks. The crossover frequency was chosen frequency of the network. The element values for the
to be fc ⳱ 800 Hz, which might be a typical value when third-order network in Fig. 9(b) are given by
this driver is used with a midrange horn. The circuit dia-
grams are shown in Fig. 9. Second-order networks are 3RE
L1 = = 1.52 mH (50)
usually designed for critical damping. The crossover fre- 4 fc
quency is the −6-dB frequency of the network. The ele-
ment values for the second-order network in Fig. 9(a) are 2
C1 = = 52 F (51)
given by 3 fc RE
RE RE
L1 = = 2.03 mH (48) L2 = = 0.507 mH. (52)
fc 4 fc
1 Figure 10(a) shows the calculated voice-coil voltage for
C1 = = 8.43 F. (49)
4 fcRE the second-order crossover network with and without Zo-
bel network A. With the network, the response follows
what would be expected of a second-order crossover net-
work. Without the network, the voltage exhibits a peak at
1.8 kHz that is 16.7 dB greater than the response with the
network. Fig. 10(b) shows the calculated voice-coil volt-
age for the third-order crossover network with and without
Zobel network A. With the network, the response follows
Fig. 9. (a) Second-order crossover network. (b) Third-order what would be expected of a third-order crossover net-
crossover network. work. Without the network, the voltage exhibits a peak at
Fig. 10. Voice-coil voltage of JBL driver with (curve a) and without (curve b) Zobel network A. (a) Second-order crossover network.
(b) Third-order crossover network.
630 Hz that is 10 dB greater than the response with the Design” (Reprint), J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol. 19, pp. 12–19
network. Above 1.6 kHz the response without the network (1971 Jan.).
lies above the response with the network and exhibits a [3] A. N. Thiele, “Optimum Passive Loudspeaker Di-
slope of approximately −43 dB/dec. The slope with net- viding Networks,” Proc. IREE (Australia), vol. 36, pp.
work A approaches −60 dB/dec, which is the correct slope 220–224 (1975 July).
for a third-order network. Crossover simulations with Zo- [4] General Radio Co., Instruction Manual—Type 1382
bel network B have been omitted because the results were Random-Noise Generator (1968).
almost identical. However, this may not be the case with [5] National Semiconductor Corp., Audio Handbook
drivers having a lower value of n. The plots in Fig. 10 (1976, 1977, 1980).
were calculated using the measured voice-coil data and not [6] P. Horowitz and W. Hill, The Art of Electronics
that predicted by Eq. (47). The plots show some evidence (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1980).
of the rise in impedance at the fundamental resonance fre- [7] P. G. L. Mills and M. O. J. Hawksford, “Transcon-
quency of the driver. This could be eliminated by the addition ductance Power Amplifier Systems for Current-Driven
of the circuit in Fig. 6(a) in parallel with the Zobel network. Loudspeakers,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol. 37, pp. 809–822
(1989 Oct.).
6 CONCLUSION [8] R. H. Small, “Direct-Radiator Loudspeaker System
Analysis,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol. 20, pp. 383–395 (1972
The high-frequency rise in the voice-coil impedance of a June).
loudspeaker driver caused by a lossy voice-coil inductance [9] W. M. Leach, Jr., Introduction to Electroacoustics
can be approximately canceled in the audio band by an RC and Audio Amplifier Design, 3rd ed. (Kendall/Hunt, Du-
Zobel network connected in parallel with the voice coil. The buque, IA, 2003).
simplest network consists of two resistors and two capacitors. [10] W. M. Leach, Jr., “Loudspeaker Voice-Coil Induc-
More complicated networks have three or more resistors and tance Losses: Circuit Models, Parameter Estimation, and
three or more capacitors. For a typical driver, the simplest Effect on Frequency Response,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol.
network can yield excellent results. Because the lossy voice- 50, pp. 442–450 (2002 June).
coil inductance can cause major perturbations in the per- [11] J. Borwick, Ed., Loudspeaker and Headphone
formance of crossover networks, the parameters n and Le Handbook, p. 216 (Focal Press–Elsevier, Burlington, MA,
should be included in the list of specifications for drivers
2001).
as an aid in the design of Zobel compensation networks.
[12] R. H. Small, “Closed-Box Loudspeaker Systems,
Parts I and II,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol. 20, pp. 798–808
7 REFERENCES (1972 Dec.); vol. 21, pp. 11–18 (1973 Jan./Feb.).
[1] O. J. Zobel, “Theory and Design of Uniform and [13] R. H. Small, “Vented-Box Loudspeaker Systems,
Composite Electric Wave Filters,” Bell Sys. Tech. J., vol. Parts I-IV,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., vol. 21, pp. 363–372 (1973
2, pp. 1–46 (1923 Jan.). June); pp. 438–444 (1974 July/Aug.); pp. 549–554 (1973
[2] R. H. Small, “Constant-Voltage Crossover Network Sept.); pp. 635–639 (1973 Oct.).
THE AUTHOR
W. Marshall Leach, Jr. received B.S. and M.S. degrees in he served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Since 1972
electrical engineering from the University of South Carolina, he has been a faculty member at The Georgia Institute of
Columbia, in 1962 and 1964, and a Ph.D. degree in electrical Technology, where he is presently professor of electrical
engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology in engineering. Dr. Leach teaches courses in applied electro-
1972. In 1964 he worked at the National Aeronautics and magnetics and electronic design. He is a fellow of the Audio
Space Administration in Hampton, VA. From 1965 to 1968 Engineering Society and a senior member of the IEEE.