With the right speaker system, you can enjoy excellent music quality and also make watching movies very comfortable, just like in a movie theater. Musical installations make it possible to process an electrical signal, and then transform it into sound waves.
The equipment is selected based on the characteristics of the room, transport and people who will listen to audio. In this case, you need to understand what acoustics to choose for a house, apartment, studio or car, so as not to be mistaken with the choice. The article will allow you to find out the features of the choice and the main types of equipment.
Content
Types of acoustics
Before choosing acoustics, you should understand its types, since all speakers and additional equipment are divided into categories, which makes it possible to use the equipment in different conditions.
For auto
Not all drivers can figure out which acoustics to choose in a car, since the equipment differs from household equipment and it is impossible to install large speakers, there are many extraneous sounds that can affect the audio quality. Due to this, the devices must be with high power, which gives the desired volume. Often for cars, speakers are small in size, with excellent sensitivity, they are suitable for connecting to a radio tape recorder or FM receiver.
Pros:
- Small size.
- The presence of a coaxial system, which helps to keep usable space without degrading sound quality.
- High power level.
- The optimal cost is in the range of 600-2000 rubles.
- Simple installation.
- There are many options that vary in shape.
- Purity of sound.
Minuses:
- In coaxial models, frequency mixing occurs.
- Component equipment is more difficult to mount in a car interior.
For computers
A common type of acoustics with a narrow directivity. The technique is used specifically for connecting to a PC, it is used for 1 person who is directly in front of the screen. Based on this, high power and large dimensions are not needed.
Speakers are often equipped with a built-in amplifier to improve quality. Using this technique, you can easily connect headphones, power is supplied from a separate power supply unit or directly from a computer. The technique is cheap and suitable for working with video, playing any sounds.
pros:
- Small size
- Low cost, which will be in the range of 500-5000 rubles.
- Minimum current consumption.
- Easy installation that can be done right next to the screen or on a shelf.
- There is an amplifier in the design.
- High quality and durable body materials.
- On sale you can find options with a subwoofer.
Minuses:
- The system is often single-lane.
- Minimum power.
- Almost complete absence of bass.
For home theater
Such acoustics are characterized by high power and large speaker sizes. For the longest possible service life, the case is made of sturdy material, often wood. The equipment can be 2-3 bands and always with high sensitivity.After installation, you can enjoy watching movies or listening to audio.
pros:
- Optimal power for home theater.
- High quality raw materials for the body.
- Good signal processing frequency.
- Beautiful design.
- Purity of sound.
- There are several accommodation options.
Minuses:
- It is not always possible to install in a small room, since the dimensions of the entire system are large.
- High pricing policy, which is in the range of 6-35 thousand rubles.
- If the membranes are open, there is a risk of damage from pets or children.
For concerts
This type of acoustics is the most powerful of all possible types. The power of the equipment can reach up to 1600 W, which helps to achieve the high volume required for stadiums and large concert halls. The devices are large in size and weight, and are often installed right at the edge of stages or hung on walls.
pros:
- Maximum power.
- A large number of stripes.
- Excellent working out of different frequencies.
- Wide range of fluctuations.
- Excellent sound purity and sensitivity.
- Passive construction.
Minuses:
- Large size and weight.
- The cost is approximately 40-150 thousand rubles.
- Chipboard body.
- Not suitable for work other than concerts.
Basic parameters for choosing acoustics
The main parameters and technical characteristics of the equipment allow choosing the best acoustics that can satisfy the user's needs. At the moment, there are many options for such devices and can be easily launched with purchase. Technical features directly affect reproduction, so if you know them, you can choose a product that fully meets the goals.
Construction type
It is customary to distinguish 2 types of the most popular acoustics designs: coaxial and component. The first option is characterized by small dimensions and easy installation, which is achieved by using several speakers at once in frequency in one line. The elements are divided using a filter, which is convenient for cars when there is not a lot of installation space.
Component models feature separate diaphragms for each frequency, set on different lines, so the sound will be clearer and more detailed. This technique is suitable for mounting in a car on a shelf in the back or in the door.
Body materials
Often, speakers are sold separately for transport, but for everyone who does not know what acoustics to choose for home, you should focus on the materials of the case. With its help, a quick and easy installation is carried out, but based on the raw materials, the durability of the equipment depends.
Particleboard is distinguished among the cheapest buildings. Often used for acoustics intended for home use or concerts. Plastic is often used for a computer, which is very durable. If you plan to buy acoustics for a cinema, then you should focus on models from MDF. In addition, there are aluminum enclosures on the market that perform best for public address or conference applications.
Standard size
Speaker size is always indicated in inches or centimeters. The smallest ones are 25-80 mm, which allow showing excellent high frequencies, but do not have low frequencies. An excellent choice for a computer. In a car, speakers of 90-170 mm are often used, and the size of 100-160 mm is suitable for a house, apartment. With a subwoofer, you can get clean and high-quality bass.
Number of stripes
This indicator indicates the number of speakers in the entire speaker cabinet. Often uses 1-5 lanes. The main difference is that single-band models operate simultaneously with all frequencies, which cannot produce the desired effect or quality, since all sounds are blurred. The 2-band models do the job better because the frequency is distributed between the pair of membranes. The devices of the three-band type include LF, HF and MF membranes, this helps to better perceive sounds by human hearing.
When choosing, you need to focus on the bands, for example, to connect acoustics to a PC, 1-2 bands are enough, but for high-quality movie viewing, you should use 3-band models, a similar rule applies to cars, but only low and high frequencies may be enough. For concerts and other large events with a large number of people, devices for 4-5 bands are selected.
Crossover presence
The quality and purity of sound depends not only on the acoustics bands, but also on the ability to correctly distribute waves with different frequencies. Responsible for this work is the crossover, which is a small block where the coil and capacitors are located. With their help, a signal is received, which is divided into frequencies. The element can be considered a filter that sends low frequencies to the subwoofer, and the rest to speakers of different configurations. Due to the crossover, you can significantly improve the sound quality and make any speakers as expressive as possible. When purchased, it is mandatory for home theater systems and large concert halls.
Power
A very important indicator of acoustics that you should pay attention to when choosing. The volume of music and other sounds depends on the power. Even in the presence of an amplifier, devices with low power will not be able to give the optimal volume, and as a result of the load, the membrane breaks, or vice versa, the operation of powerful speakers with a weak amplifier may be defective. In this case, the speaker settings must match the connected audio source.
In addition, the power must correspond to the area of the room. It is generally accepted that 60 W is enough for 20 sq. m. Based on this, you need to focus on the equipment before buying. For home theater, 60-80W devices can be used. If the equipment is selected in a car where the area is minimal, but there is a lot of noise, then it would be better to put speakers with a power of about 200 watts. For a computer, devices up to 10 watts are sufficient. In a conference room or for other performances in front of an audience, you can use 100 W acoustics, the most powerful equipment is put on at concerts, the value should be at least 500 W.
When choosing a power, you need to focus on other indicators, including the usual and maximum parameter. In the first case, at normal power, the equipment will be able to work constantly, and if you use the peak value, then the operating period will be about 10 minutes, after which the acoustics will not be able to withstand the load, failures or other problems will begin.
The presence of a subwoofer
With this addition in acoustics, you can get high-quality bass. The subwoofer is a separate element with its own housing, which contains the woofer. The frequency of operation is 20-40 Hz. It is very beneficial to use equipment for cinemas or listening to music. Some people prefer to use the subwoofer at home, in the car, but not for PCs or conferences.
Frequency range
With the help of speakers, acoustics can distinguish between vibrations, which are measured in hertz (Hz), after which electrical indicators are converted into mechanical ones. A person can distinguish between 20-50000 Hz and the larger the range, the better the sound transmission will be. For fans of music with bass or watching movies, you should choose devices that work in the range of 40-21000 Hz. If the noise is not important, then you can buy models for 100-2100 Hz. For the car, models are selected for 60-16000 Hz.
Sensitivity
The clarity of sounds and their loudness depends on the sensitivity, which is measured in decibels (dB). The higher the value, the better and the parameter is directly proportional to the acoustics power. For example, models with a range of 75-85 dB are weak speakers that are more suitable for a computer. The 85-91 dB range is considered a mid-range option and can be used for home theater applications. Devices for 92-108 dB will give excellent loudness and purity of sounds, therefore the parameter is typical for expensive acoustics and is used in cars.
Placement method
Any speaker system differs from each other in the installation method.Based on this, a choice is made:
- Floor standing is a great choice for a subwoofer or cinema speaker.
- Desktop - suitable for a computer.
- Wall-mounted - recommended for notification in an office or concert hall.
- Ceiling mounted is a good choice for speakers used at home, beauty salons or shops.
- Recessed speakers are the type of installation best suited for cars or sound recording studios.
Connection
To transmit sound, the acoustics must be connected to a power source. For this, various options are used. Models designed for PCs can be activated using a 3.5 mm jack or USB port, the same type of connection is used for the radio in the car. Home equipment is turned on using a tulip or classic jack socket. It is the latter output that is used for many speakers. Modern technology can connect wirelessly using a Bluetooth module.
Open or closed form
When choosing acoustics, you should look at the speakers that are placed in the box, which helps to make the sound more spacious. This view is considered closed and is great for bass lovers. There are simple speakers on sale without a case and protective grilles under the membranes, due to which an improvement in the middle and high frequencies is obtained.
The installation of equipment is carried out in cars, warning systems or studios. Best suited for classical music, but can be easily damaged due to lack of protection. For PC, both options can be used, in order to determine the exact choice, you should focus on the scope of use and the risks of damage to the membranes.
Additional features
Additional acoustics features include a headphone port. This is often used for PC speakers. The output is convenient for those who need to listen to audio or video without distracting other people. Also, some models are equipped not only with an amplifier, but also with a built-in radio receiver. With its help, the user will be able to listen to the radio autonomously, without the use of a tape recorder, smartphone and other equipment. This technique is ideal for travel and travel.
What is the best acoustics to choose
Having studied the main characteristics of acoustics, its types, you can make a certain conclusion, which experts recommend adhering to:
- For home use under a cinema, it is recommended to buy three-way front speakers, and use 2-way rear speakers. Techniques with high frequencies should be 25 mm each, but with low frequencies it is better to pay off from 165 mm, but the back side can be 100 mm each. Mid-range speakers should have a diaphragm of approximately 120-130 mm. For high-quality sound, the frequency of the equipment should fluctuate within 48-50000 Hz, and to get the clarity of sounds, select 86 dB. Each element of the system should be about 150 W in power, it is better to choose a case made of wood or MDF, the speakers should be placed on the floor.
- To install speakers in a car, you should choose coaxial two-way systems (HF and LF), in which the size will be within 10-17 cm with a power of 220 W and 92 dB. The speakers must be closed to protect the membrane.
- For a computer, 3W single-sideband models with an internal amplifier may be sufficient. Their size can be up to 7 cm, and the frequency is 70-20000 Hz. Any material is suitable as a case; it is best to focus on additional ports, especially for headphones.
- For concert halls or other performances, you will have to buy 108 dB models with a power of about 100 watts. Their range can be 80-20000 Hz, speakers for 2 bands, and the treble size will be 25 mm, bass - 145 mm. Models with wall mountings are best suited, the body is suitable for plastic.
- For large concerts in theaters or in large areas, you need to buy powerful equipment with 600-1200 watts. Ideal speakers will be those with 5 bands, a frequency of 85-36000 Hz, and an overall sensitivity of 125 dB.Particleboard is suitable as a housing material, an 8 Ohm amplifier is required inside.
There is a ready-made speaker system on sale, which is sold as a kit, but you can assemble the equipment yourself by purchasing its individual elements. Ready-made designs often include satellites, a main control unit and a subwoofer. Loudspeakers of various types, subwoofers and other items are sold separately. If you decide to buy a complete system, then you need to look at the number of speakers. Front and rear satellites must be paired, and the subwoofer and main unit can have 1 loudspeaker. To create a surround sound effect for a cinema, it is recommended to select a model with a rear channel.
When choosing, it is worth knowing that, depending on the method of fastening, the models will be different in power. Floor-standing devices are often better sounding and more powerful, but ceiling views are more convenient for installation in apartments.
