Department of Electronics &

Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

COSUMER ELECTRONICS
(MODULE 1)
BEC654B

Prepared by
Prof. Juslin F

01-05-2025 AT M E C o l l e g e
ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU of Engineering, Mysuru 1
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Module-1 Syllabus (BEC654B)

Microphones: Introduction, Requirements, Quality of Microphones, Classification, Moving Coil, Microphone,

Ribbon Microphone, Condenser (or Capacitor) Microphone, Crystal Microphone, Carbon microphone, Electret
Microphone.
Loudspeakers: Introduction, Features of Loudspeaker, Moving Coil (Cone Type) Loudspeaker, Electrodynamic
Loudspeaker, Horn Loudspeaker, Loudspeaker for High Fidelity Systems.
(Text : 5.1 to 5.10 and 6.1 to 6.6 )

TEXT BOOKS:
1. B.R. Gupta, V. Singhal "Consumer Electronics", S.K. Kataria & Sons, 6th edition, 2013, ISBN 978-93-
5014-407-7.
2. R.P.Bali, Consumer Electronics, Pearson Education (2008)

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 2

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Course Outcomes: After studying this course, students will be able to:

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand the functioning and classification of various types of microphones and loudspeakers
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the optical recording and playback processes in audio compact disc systems
3. Analyse the principles of colour television and modern display technologies
4. Evaluate the working of cable television systems and miscellaneous consumer devices
5. Explore advancements in consumer electronics, such as mobile phones, computing devices, and home
appliances

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 3

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

MODULE 1

MICROPHONES

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 4

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

INTRODUCTION

• In all audio systems sound energy has to be transmitted to distant places.

• This can be done by converting the variations of sound pressure into electrical impulses.

• A microphone is a transducer which converts variations of sound pressure into electrical signals of the

same frequency.

• The amplitude of the electrical signals are proportional to the intensity of the sound waves.

• It is important to amplify the electrical signals using an audio amplifier before these signals can be

transmitted through wires or by wireless means.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 5
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

REQUIREMENTS

Electrical signals are faithful reproduction of sound pressure only if the microphone fulfills the following
requirements.

1. Its response should be independent of frequency in the complete audio frequency range 16Hz to

20Khz.

2. The noise generated within the microphone should be as low as possible.

3. Its performance should not be affected by the adjacent electric and magnetic fields.

4. It should be mechanically robust.

5. Its response should be independent of the direction of sound waves.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 6
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

QUALITY OF MICROPHONES
A microphone should have the following qualities so that it matches the above requirements.

1. Sensitivity

2. Frequency response

3. Signal to Noise Ratio

4. Output impedance

5. Distortion

6. Directivity
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 7
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

QUALITY OF MICROPHONES:

• Sensitivity: It is the output in milli volt for a sound pressure of 0.1 pa at 1000 Hz.
Many times, sensitivity is expressed in dB below 1V.

• Frequency response: Audio frequency range extends from 16Hz to 20KHz.

However, the audio system is considered to be very good if it has a flat response from
40Hz to 15KHz

• Signal to Noise Ratio: All equipment's generate noise. If the generated noise is high, the
quality of sound will be poor. In a good microphone the signal to noise ratio should
be high. S/N ratio is defined as the ratio at the output when sound pressure is 0.1 pa to
the output in the absence of sound.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 8

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Output impedance:
• The importance of this parameter arises because of the necessity to transfer maximum power to the
transmission circuit.
• As per the maximum power transfer theorem, the power transferred to the load is maximum when
load resistance is equal to source resistance.
• To ensure maximum power transfer, the resistance of the load and source can be matched by the process
of impedance matching.
• For this purpose, the microphone is connected to a two winding transformer whose output is fed to the
transmission system. The transformer changes the impedance level.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 9

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Distortion:
• A microphone may suffer from non-linear distortion, frequency distortion and phase distortion.
• Non linear distortion means that the relative amplitudes of different frequencies in the electrical output
is not same as in the sound wave.
• Frequency distortion means some frequencies not present in the sound signal appear in the output.
• This is due to natural resonant frequency of the movable parts of the microphone.
• Phase distortion means that the inter-phase relationship between different frequency components in
the output is not same as in the input.
• This generally occurs when more than one microphone is used in the system.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 10

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Directivity: The response or sensitivity of a microphone is not the same for sounds coming from different
directions. This effect is known as directivity. A microphone may be unidirectional, bidirectional or
omnidirectional. Directivity is defined in terms of angle 𝜃 which is the angle between half power points.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 11

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Classification
• The basic principle of microphone is that sound waves set up mechanical vibrations in a moving element.

• The mechanical vibrations generate electrical voltages at audio frequencies.

• The generated voltage can be either proportional to velocity of the moving element or its amplitude.

• Accordingly, microphones are classified as constant amplitude or constant velocity microphones.

• Constant Amplitude Microphones are ideal for capturing subtle sound variations and low-frequency

components (like studio recordings).

• Constant Velocity Microphones are better for capturing transient sounds and high-frequency details (like live

performances).
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 12
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Moving Coil Microphone/Dynamic Microphone

Principle:
• A moving coil microphone works on the principle of induced emf.

• The variations of sound pressure cause the motion of a coil in a magnetic

field.

• Thus, an emf is induced in the moving coil. It is also known as a dynamic

microphone.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 13

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

CONSTRUCTION:

Fig 3 shows the construction.

• It consists of a permanent magnet, generally POT type
with a central south pole and peripheral north pole.
• The magnet is so shaped as to give a uniform field in the
air gap.
• A diaphragm made of non-magnetic material is fixed
to the body by springs. A coil wound on the cardboard
cylinder is attached to the diaphragm and is free to move
in the air gap as the diaphragm vibrates due to sound
waves.
• A protective cover saves the delicate diaphragm and
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 14
other parts from mechanical damage
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Working:

When sound waves strike the diaphragm, it moves forward and backwards.

The coil also moves along with diaphragm and an emf is induced in the coil. The magnitude of emf is given by

e= Blv
Where e = emf
B = flux density Wb/m2 or T
L = length of the conductor/coil, m
V = velocity of coil, m/sec

Since the emf is proportional to velocity of coil, it is designated as velocity microphone.

The motion of coil depends on pressure of sound waves. Therefore, it is pressure microphone.
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 15
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features
1. Its sensitivity is about 90dB below 1V when sound pressure is 0.1pa. The voltage induced is
about 30kV
2. Its output impedance is low, around 30 to 40 ohms..
3. Its frequency response is nearly flat in the 40Hz to 8KHz range
4. It is an omnidirectional microphone
5. Its signal to noise ratio is about 25dB
6. Its distortion is less than 5%
Advantages
1. It is mechanically robust and is not affected by weather.
2. Cheaper than ribbon and condenser microphones but is more costly compared to crystal and carbon
microphones.
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 16
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Disadvantages
1. It has to be kept within 25cm distance from source of sound.
2. Its weight is considerable because of heavy magnet.
Applications
1. Public address system and broadcast studios

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 17

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Ribbon Microphone
Principle:
• Its principle is exactly the same as that of the moving coil microphone.
• However instead of diaphragm and coil like in the moving coil microphone this
has an aluminum ribbon which acts as a diaphragm as well as coil.
• When sound waves strike the ribbon, emf is induced in it.
• It is velocity microphone because the induced emf is proportional to the velocity
of the ribbon.
• Moreover, the working depends on the pressure sound waves.
• Hence it is a pressure microphone.
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 18
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

CONSTRUCTION:
The permanent magnet has extended pole piece. Between
the pole pieces is placed the aluminum ribbon in which
the emf is induced. A step-up transformer is inbuilt in the
microphone case.

WORKING:
The ribbon acts as a diaphragm. When sound waves
strike it, it vibrates. Because of this motion an emf
proportional to velocity of ribbon is induced in it. This
voltage is stepped up by the transformer and appears at
the output terminals
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 19
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features
1. The sensitivity of ribbon microphone is low, about 3uV or 110dB below 1V for a sound pressure of 0.1 pa.
2. Because of low mass of ribbon, the frequency response is very good and is almost flat from about 20Hz to about
12000Hz
3. Its output impedance is very low, generally less than 0.5 ohm. The step up transformer helps in increasing the
output impedance by about 900 times.
4. Sound pressure can be applied to the ribbon from front as well as back. Therefore it is a bidirectional
microphone.
5. Its distortion is less than 1%.
6. Its Signal to Noise Ratio is good.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 20

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Advantages
1. Good frequency response
2. Bidirectional behavior
3. Good transient response
Disadvantages
1. It is a delicate and expensive microphone
2. It can be easily damaged due to slight mishandling
3. Its sensitivity is low(it requires a louder sound source or a stronger input to produce an adequate signal.)
Applications
1. Dramas, music, broadcast
2. Its bidirectional feature allows the participants of a drama to talk face to face
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 21
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Condenser (or Capacitor) Microphone

Principle:

The capacitance of a parallel plate air capacitor is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates i.e

• As d changes due to pressure of sound waves, capacitance changes.

• This change in capacitance causes a change in the frequency of an oscillatory circuit.
• Alternatively, this change in capacitance causes successive charging and discharging currents in a resistance.
• These currents produce oscillating voltage across the resistance.
• This voltage is a measure of the pressure ofATMECOLLEGE
01-05-2025 the sound waves.
OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 22
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Construction:

• Fig shows the construction of a capacitance

microphone. It consists of a light wight diaphragm
about 0.0025 cm thick made of duralumin.
• It is separated by about 0.005 cm from another metal
plate which is fixed and is known as backplate.
• It is connected in series with a resistance R across a
battery of about 150 V.
• The output voltage across R is fed to an amplifier as
shown in the fig below.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 23

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Working:

• As sound waves impinge on the diaphragm, the distance between the diaphragm and back plate

changes and thus the capacitance between the plate changes.

• Charging and discharging currents flow in the circuit causing a change in voltage across resistance R.

• This voltage is amplified by the amplifier.

• Thus, output voltage of the amplifier varies with the change in pressure of sound waves.

• It is a pressure microphone since output is proportional to pressure of sound waves.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 24

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features:
1. Its sensitivity is low and therefore it has an inbuilt amplifier.
2. It has a very good and almost flat frequency response from 40Hz to 15KHz
3. Its distortion is less than 1%
4. Its signal to noise ratio is high, 40dB or so
5. It is omni directional
6. Its output impedance is very high, about 50 MΩ or so.
Advantages
1. High output impedance
2. Good frequency response
3. Low distortion
4. High signal to noise ratio
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 25
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Disadvantages

1. Delicate

2. Costly

3. Working is affected by heat and moisture

Applications

1. Used as a standard microphone for calibration of other microphones

2. Also used in high fidelity sound recording and in sound meter

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 26

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

CRYSTAL MICROPHONE

principle :
• Its principle is based on piezoelectric effect.

• As per this effect the application of pressure across the faces of a crystal, produces a voltage

across the faces.

• The crystals which exhibit this property are Rochelle salt, quartz, ceramic etc.

• Ceramic is the most commonly used material.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 27

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Construction:
• The crystal is in the form of bimorph crystal unit.
• Metal foils are attached to the crystal surfaces to serve as
terminals.
• A diaphragm, generally made of aluminum is held between
supports through springs.
• The diaphragm is connected to the biomorph through a
push rod.

WORKING:

• When sound waves impinge on the diaphragm, it

vibrates. These vibrations are picked up by the bimorph
element and a voltage is developed across its faces.
• The voltage developed is proportional to pressure of sound
waves.
• This voltage is generally fed to an amplifier.
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 28
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features
1. Its sensitivity is good
2. Almost flat frequency response between 80Hz to 8000Hz
3. The noise generated with in this microphone is low. Hence it has high signal to noise ratio.
4. Its output impedance is very high, about 1MW
5. Its distortion is low
6. It is omni directional
Advantages
1. Good sensitivity
2. High Signal to Noise
3. Low Distortion
4. Small Size
5. Omni directional characteristics & 6. Low cost
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 29
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Disadvantages

1. Less rugged than moving coil

2. Cannot withstand high temperature

3. Very low frequency sound waves are attenuated.

4. It is affected by moisture

Applications

1. Home recording

2. Mobile communication systems

3. Amateur communication
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 30
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Carbon Microphone
Principle:
• When carbon granules are packed in a casing, the resistance of granules depends on the applied pressure.
• The sound waves impinge on the diaphragm which compresses the granules.
• The change in resistance causes a change in voltage in circuit.
• This voltage is proportional to pressure of sound waves.
Construction:
• Fine carbon granules are packed in a case as shown.
• The sound pressure acts on a metallic diaphragm.
• The movable metal piston transmits this pressure to a movable carbon plate.
• The second metallic plate is fixed. is connected between the two plates.
• A transformer is used to eliminate the dc content in the microphone output.
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 31
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

WORKING:
• When sound waves impinge on the diaphragm, it
vibrates.
• As a result the carbon granules get compressed or
loosened.
• When the granules are compressed, their resistance
decreases.
• When loosened, their resistance increases.
• This change in resistance of granules changes the current
in the circuit.
• This change in current causes a change in terminal voltage

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 32

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features
1. Very Good sensitivity, about 20 dB below 1V. The output voltage is about 100mV
2. The frequency response is limited between about 200 Hz to 5000 Hz
3. The signal to noise ratio is poor. Random variation of carbon resistance causes a rather continuous noise.
4. Its output impedance is about 100 ohms
5. Its distortion is also high, about 10%
6. It is more or less omni directional.
Advantages
1. Very rugged
2. Small size
3. Very cheap
4. Good sensitivity
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 33
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Disadvantages

1. Poor Signal to Noise ratio

2. High Distortion

3. Limited frequency response

4. Not suitable for high fidelity-work

Applications

1. Telephones

2. Portable Radios

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 34

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Electret Microphone
Principle:
• Its principle is same as that of a condenser microphone.
• However, it does not require a d.c supply.
• It has a inbuilt charge on one plate.
• Sound pressure causes movement of diaphragm and a consequent change in capacitance.
Since charge is constant, a voltage appears between the plates.
Construction:
• Fig shows the construction.
• The metallic diaphragm held in position by springs.
• The fixed plate has coating of Teflon which has the characteristic of retaining charge for a
longer period.
• Teflon layer is given a negative charge at theATMECOLLEGE
01-05-2025 time of manufacture.
OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 35
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Working:

• When sound pressure acts on the diaphragm, it vibrates.

Therefore, capacitance between the plates changes.
• Charge Q, capacitance C and Voltage V are related as

• When capacitance decreases, voltage or field across the plates

increases.
• When capacitance increases, the field decreases. Thus, the
terminal voltage changes due to pressure of sound waves.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 36

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features Disadvantages
1. Sensitivity is average
1. Delicate
2. Frequency response is good
3. Signal to nose ratio is high 2. Working is affected by temperature and moisture

4. Distortion is low Applications

5. Output impedance is high, about 50 MΩ
1. Public address system of small gatherings (clubs etc.)
6. It is omni directional
Advantages 2. Since it is very lightweight

1. Very cheap 3. It is commonly used as a tie clip microphone

2. Very light weight
3. Does not require dc supply
4. Low distortion
5. Small size
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 37
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 38

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Loudspeakers

• Loud speaker is an essential component of all audio systems.

• It converts electrical audio frequency signals into sound waves of the same frequency.

• Thus, its work is opposite to that of a microphone.

• The input to a loudspeaker may come from the audio system directly or from the antenna.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 39

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features of Loudspeaker

The main features of a speaker are

• Sensitivity

• Frequency response

• signal to noise ratio

• Distortion

• directivity and

• input impedance.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 40

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)
Features of Loudspeaker
Sensitivity
• It is the input signal required to give a sound pressure of 0.1pa at a distance of one meter from the loudspeaker.
• Sometimes the word efficiency is used to describe the ability of the speaker to convert electrical signals into
sound waves.
Frequency Response
• The frequency response is the range of frequencies having an amplitude ±1dB. Ideally the frequency response
should be flat over the whole audio range i.e 16Hz to 20KHz.
• However, the mass of the diaphragm of the speaker attenuates high frequencies.
Signal to Noise Ratio
• A loudspeaker also generates some noise in itself.
• Signal to noise ratio is the ratio of the output(with signal) to the output(without signal). It should be as
high as possible.
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 41
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features of Loudspeaker
Distortion
It may in amplitude, frequency and phase causes of distortion are non-linear behavior of magnetic field, mass of
diaphragm, natural frequency of the mechanical parts etc.
Directivity
It is defined as the ratio of sound intensity in the direction of maximum response to the sound intensity which
would be existing if the speaker is omnidirectional
Input Impedance
It is expressed in ohms.
For maximum power output from speaker, its input impedance should be equal to the source impedance so that
proper impedance matching is obtained.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 42

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Moving Coil (Cone Type) Loudspeaker

principle
• Its principle is the same as that of a motor.
• It is also known as direct radiating loud speaker.
• A coil, known as voice coil, is placed in the magnetic field of permanent magnet.
• When electric current passes through the coil, a force acts on the coil causing the coil to move(vibrate).
• A paper diaphragm of the shape of a cone is attached to the coil.
• Thus, the diaphragm vibrates, produces pressure variations in air and the result is the sound waves.
• The force acting on the voice coil causes vibration of the diaphragm resulting in compressions and rarefactions
in the air.
• Thus, electrical signals are converted into sound waves of the same frequencies.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 43

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Moving Coil (Cone Type) Loudspeaker

Construction:

• The main parts of the loudspeaker are magnet, voice coil, conical diaphragm.
• This loudspeaker uses a pot type permanent magnet having central south pole and peripheral north pole.
• To give a strong magnetic field, the magnet is made of special alloy Alnico.
• This material has a very high retentivity and can thus retain magnetism almost indefinitely.
• A voice coil is suspended by a suitable suspension in the air gap and is free to move in the air gap when a
force acts on it.
• The coil is attached to a conical diaphragm made of special paper.
• Terminals of the voice coil are fixed on the cone surface. Fig 9 shows the moving coil loudspeaker

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 44

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 45

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Working

• When electric current flows through the voice coil, interaction between the field of permanent magnet and
the magnetic field of current occurs.
• Due to this, interaction of force acts on the voice causing its to and fro motion.
• Since the conical diaphragm is attached to the voice coil, the diaphragm also vibrates causing
compressions and rarefactions in air.
• Thus, the electrical signals are converted into sound waves of the same frequency.
• The cone helps in spreading the sound over a large area and thus sound can be heard at a great distance.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 46

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features

1. Efficiency of this loudspeaker is poor. Only 5-10% of the signal power is converted into sound
2. The signal to noise ratio is about 30dB
3. It gives a nearly flat frequency response in the 200Hz to 5000Hz
4. The non-linear distortion can be as high as 10%
5. It is omni directional.
6. Directivity can be modified by using baffles and enclosures so that most of the sound waves go to the area
in front of it.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 47

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

• Fig 10 shows the equivalent circuit of a cone type loudspeaker.

• Source is the source of signals. rc and Lc denote the resistance and
self-inductance of the voice coil,
• Cm is the mechanical compliance (Stiffness) and
• Lm is the inductance which represents mass of the moving system.
• RL is the load. At low frequencies, the resistance of Lm is low and
shunts the load resistance.
• Therefore, the output at low frequencies is reduced.
• At high frequencies the reactance of series inductance is high and
causes attenuation of high frequency components of signal.
• Effect of Cm is small and negligible.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 48

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Advantages
Disadvantages
1. Small Size
1. Poor efficiency
2. Low cost
2. Very low and high frequencies are attenuated
3. Satisfactory frequency response
Applications
1. Radio receivers
2. TV receivers
3. Cassette Players
4. Record Players
5. Used in all audio appliances designed for small groups of people
Capacity Available
Direct radiating cone type loudspeakers are available in number of sizes up to about 25W

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 49

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Electrodynamic Loudspeaker

• The principle of electrodynamic loudspeaker is exactly the

same as that of moving coil direct radiating loudspeaker.
• The construction is also similar except that electrodynamic
speaker uses an electromagnet
• The field coil of the electromagnet is wound over the
central limb as shown in Fig 11.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 50

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

• This field coil produces a very strong magnetic field.

• Therefore, this speaker can handle more power.
• The flow of electric current in the voice coil creates a magnetic field.
• This field interacts with the field of electromagnet and creates a force.
• This force causes a to and fro motion of voice coil and the conical diaphragm vibrates thus
converting electrical signal into sound waves.
• The main advantage of this speaker is that it can handle more input power.
• However, it needs a source of power supply for the electromagnet. Its cost is more than that of
moving coil cone type

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 51

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Horn Loudspeaker
Principle

• The interaction of the magnetic field due to current in the voice coil with the magnetic field of the magnet

causes a force to act on the coil.

• The coil moves to and fro and causes vibrations of the diaphragm.

• However, it does not use a cone and does not deliver sound directly to open space.

• Instead, it delivers sound to air trapped in a horn which, in turn, radiates sound to the open space

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 52

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Construction

• Fig 12 shows the construction of horn speaker.

• The magnet, voice coil, diaphragm are similar to that in moving coil
direct radiating speaker.
• However, it does not have a cone.
• The cone is replaced by a horn whose diameter increases from
small value at the throat to a large value at the mouth.
• The shape of the horn may be canonical, exponential or hyperbolic
as shown in Figure a.
Figure A
• To optimize the space needed, folded horn Figure b can be used.

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 53

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

01-05-2025
Figure B
ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 54
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Working
• When current flows in voice coil, it creates a magnetic field.
• This magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet creating a force.
• This force causes the voice coil to move to and fro.
• Thus, the diaphragm vibrates.
• The horn expands from a small diameter at throat to a large opening at mouth.
• The sound pressure at the throat is maximum and decreases as we approach the mouth.
• The loudspeaker power is delivered to the air space indirectly i.e the power is delivered at the throat and
sound waves then travel to the mouth. The horn acts as an acoustic transformer.
• The advantage is that a better matching exists between the impedance of the voice coil and the acoustical
resistance thus increasing the efficiency of the loudspeaker.
• A small diaphragm can produce a large volume of sound. Response is good at low as well as high frequencies
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 55
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Features
1. Efficiency is good, about 40%
2. Signal to noise ratio is about 40 dB
3. Almost flat frequency response from about 25 to 10000Hz. The high frequency response can be further
improved using tweeter horn.
4. Non-linear distortion is less than 5%
5. Directivity is different at different frequencies
a. At low frequencies it is nearly omni directional
b. At high frequencies the radiation is concentrated in narrow cone around the axis of the horn
Advantages
1. High efficiency
2. Good power handling capacity
Disadvantages
1. More costly than cone type loudspeaker
2. Large size
Applications
1. Public address systems
2. Big auditoriums and music concerts
01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 56
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Loudspeaker for High Fidelity Systems

• Figure shows a special loudspeaker for high fidelity (hi-fi)

music systems.

• It is a combination of a cone and exponential horn.

• The cone faces away from the audience.

• The enclosure for the cone and the exponential horn is so placed

that the output from the horn is directed towards the

audience

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 57

 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

Expected Questions
1. With neat diagram explain the principle, construction and working, advantages, disadvantages and
applications of
a. Moving Coil, Microphone
b. Ribbon Microphone
c. Condenser (or Capacitor) Microphone
d. Crystal Microphone
e. Carbon Mmicrophone
f. Electret Microphone.
2. Explain all qualities of microphones in detail.
3. Explain features of loudspeakers.
4. With neat diagram explain the principle, construction and working of
a. Moving Coil (Cone Type) Loudspeaker
b. Electrodynamic Loudspeaker
c. Horn Loudspeaker
5. Compare the features of all the microphones ATMECOLLEGE
01-05-2025 in a table.OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 58
 Department of Electronics &
Communication Engineering
(Accredited by NBA, New Delhi. Validity 01.07.2022 to 30.06.2025)

THANK YOU

01-05-2025 ATMECOLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,MYSURU 59