SurfaceSound technology by NXT
April 13, 2007
Nowadays, we see many of the high-end loudspeakers brands are employing Flat Panel loudspeaker technology from NXT. Some of the new launches based on this technology are KEF’s two five series, KEF KIT 100, xCanvas & HT752TP by LG elctronics, Blutrek handsfree and more.SurfaceSound is based on distributed-mode behaviour of Flat Panels.
In the conventional loudspeakers, the sound reproduction is acheived by converting electrical energy into electro magnetic energy and eventually to mechanical energy. When an electrical signal is applied to the voice coil, a magnetic field is created by the electric current in the coil. The coil and the loudspeker driver’s magnetic system interact, generating a mechanical force that causes the coil and cone to move back and forth and so reproduce sound under the control of the applied electrical signal coming from the source, such as amplifier.
In SurfaceSound the mechanical force exerted is not just “back and forth” in the single axis. It produces, many bending waves in the diaphragm. (In SurfaceSound, there can sometimes be no distinguished diaphragm is used. The SurfaceSound enabled product’s surface itself is made of suitable material and it functions as a diaphragm. Check new products such as Weatherproof AudioDock with in-built NXT speaker and The Recourse MP3 backpack from JanSport.
Such products with appropriate excitation, are capable of emitting sound through bending wave action. All that is required is a self-supporting surface and an exciter. The use of materials not normally associated with loudspeaker diaphragms offers up new industrial design opportunities.
SurfaceSound exploits distributed-mode behaviour. An exciter converts an electrical signal from an amplifier into force, which in turn produces bending waves in the panel. These bending waves then generate acoustic (sound) waves that travel from the loudspeaker to the listener.
SurfaceSound enables a wide range of materials of differing shapes and sizes to be transformed into loudspeakers. This revolutionary approach has enabled NXT and our licensees to turn everyday objects into great sounding loudspeakers, through the use of NXT’s patented technologies.
Industrial designers have been empowered by this freedom to create products that merge seamlessly into our everyday environment. Surfaces now have multiple functionalities, which saves space and takes sound where it has never been before.
By the very nature of the sound production in SurfaceSound technology, these products ensure less stringent loudspeaker placement requirements. And ensure, nice distribution of the sound effect, throughout the listening room.
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