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    Calculate Baffle Diffraction Loss


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Loudspeaker enclosure "diffraction loss" occurs in the low frequency range of loudspeakers in enclosures that are located in the open, away from walls or other surfaces.

A full range speaker finds itself radiating into half space at the upper frequencies but radiating into full space at lower frequencies.
As a result, there is a gradual shift of -6dB from the highs to the lows.

This is what is called the "6 dB baffle step" or the enclosure's "diffraction loss"


  • Re is the DC resistance of the driver voice coil [ohms]

  • Wb is the width of the baffle [inches or centimeter]

  • dB is the amount of attenuation required [decibels]


  • f3 is the frequency midpoint of the transition from 4pi space to 2pi space

  • Lbsc is the calculated baffle step correction circuit Inductor [mH]

  • Rbsc is the calculated baffle step correction circuit Resistor [ohms]


Calculate baffle step correction circuit


  • Re is the DC resistance of the driver voice coil [ohms]
  • Wb is the width of the baffle [inches or centimeter]
  • dB is the amount of attenuation required [decibels]
  •  
    Re [ohms] Wb [inches] Wb [cm] attenuation required [decibels]

    Calculations:
    f3 [Hz]
  • f3 is the frequency midpoint of the transition from 4pi space to 2pi space
  • Correction circuit Lbsc  [mH] Rbsc  [ohms]
     
  • Lbsc is the calculated baffle step correction circuit Inductor [mH]
  • Rbsc is the calculated baffle step correction circuit Resistor [ohms]

  • Diffraction Loss Compensation Network



    Calculate here the Zobel correction circuit


    The driver is flushed mounted on a large surface area.
    Basically these panels have little or no Diffraction Loss above 100Hz.



    Frequency Response on ICE Baffle

    Frequency Response in Box


    Using calculated values of circuit components, a filter can be constructed and installed between the amp and the driver as shown in the schematic. Now you need to listen and tweak until it is just right for your room, system, and personal taste. I usually perform the following steps to arrive at the final configuration.

    1. Adjust the value of Rbsc
    a) If the bass is still too weak, then the amount of attenuation is too little. The value of Rparallel should be increased until the bass seems to be balanced with the rest of the SPL spectrum.
    b) If the speaker sounds dull and lifeless, the value of Rparalllel is too high. Reduce the value of Rparallel to bring life back into the music.
    c) Continue adjusting Rparallel until the speakers sound right to your ears. It is probably best to use acoustic music as a reference during this adjustment period.
    d) To remove the effect of the baffle step correction circuit completely, substitute a piece of speaker wire for Rparallel.

    2. Adjust the value of Lbsc
    a) Depending on the final value of Rparallel, the original calculated value of LBSC might need to be changed slightly. This sets the frequency range over which the baffle step filter attenuates the midrange and high frequencies. If the mid bass sounds depressed, then a lower value of LBSC should be used. I typically perform this adjustment last once I am satisfied with the balance, between the very low bass and the midrange, I have achieved with the resistor.
    b) Decreasing the value of LBSC will tend to warm the sound of the speaker if the previous value produced a depressed mid bass response. c) Always round down to the next available inductor size, having too low of an inductor value is a lot less problematic then having too large of an inductor value.



    To read more about baffle step compensation and cabinet edge diffraction, try the following links:

    Open baffle study http://www.troelsgravesen.dk
    Loudspeaker Diffraction Loss and Compensation http://www.trueaudio.com
    Understanding Cabinet Edge Diffraction http://www.speakerdesign.net
    Baffle Step Compensation http://sound.westhost.com