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Acoustics 101

Speaker design basics and enclosure design

Marius Tanasescu

Design an enclosure to match your preferences

Read more

Design an enclosure to match your preferences

The main purpose of this course is to teach you how to properly design an enclosure for your speaker. There is no such thing as "This enclosure is the best choice for this particular speaker". You have to take into consideration your application and your personal preferences. Do you want it to sound loud? Do you want it to sound deep and don't care about loudness? You want it to be as smooth and linear as possible? These are all just a few examples of questions that needs answering before you get to work. The final result will always be a compromise between the acoustical qualities of an enclosure. Only you can decide which sound qualities are more important to you and you should be the one who "moves the sliders".

Acoustics basics

This course assumes that you have minimal knowledge about acoustics, and therefore starts slowly with some basic information about sound waves, how they are created and what are their characteristics. Then moves on to how the speaker is designed and some other relevant information about acoustics. This is obviously needed for a beginner, but it's also good for an intermediate student, as I'm sure he will also find new information to make matters even more clear.

Enclosure types

Most of the common enclosure types are listed, explaining their working principle, pro's and cons for each one. But, we will focus our attention for the sealed and bass reflex enclosures. These are covered with extensive details regarding their characteristics and how to design them according to the standard alignments, or to complete custom response curves.

Modeling software

To model the response curve of the enclosure and to calculate the dimensions of the box, two methods will be used. You will receive an excel spreadsheet, that has all that you need to model a sealed or a bass reflex enclosure with minimal difficulty. It even has a chart to show you the modeled frequency response. It's basically a complete package for a beginner. The other method is by using a paid application. There are a lot of speaker design software solutions out there but I chose : "Subwoofer design toolbox". The main reasons are : it's cheap, simple, easy to understand and it has all the basic functions. If you are a beginner it's very important to start slow, otherwise you will get overwhelmed by complicated applications with extra features that will only confuse you.

Nov 2017 Update - 2-way speaker build example and basic 2-way crossover design.

Jan 2018 Update - Added English subtitles.

Jul 2020 Update - Added more animation to some lessons.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Design sealed speaker enclosures.
  • Design bass reflex speaker enclosures.
  • Understand how sound waves work and their characteristics.
  • Know how a speaker is producing sound and what are the speaker components.
  • Interpret the data on a speaker specification sheet.
  • Understand the pro's and con's of different enclosure types.
  • Build loudspeaker boxes which produce linear sound with minimal distortion.
  • Design a basic 2-way crossover network

Syllabus

Getting a brief overview of the course

How the course is structured and a quick briefing about each section.

How sound waves are formed and their characteristics
Read more

A visual perspective on how sound waves work.

How sound is created with emphasis on a speaker.

Explanation of the first three (out of 4) sound wave characteristics.

The last sound wave characteristic : Phase.

With the help of a signal generator and an oscilloscope, we will see in real time how amplitude and frequency change, and how it affects the sound.

Familiarize with the components of the speaker and how does the speaker work

Overview on how the speaker each designed. Complete description on each component of the speaker and how they function.

How to interpret frequency response charts

How to interpret a frequency response chart. What to look for, and explanation of few common response curves.

The F points on a frequency response chart : F0 , F3 and F10.

What is an octave and few examples. Explanation on why the response curve is rolling off and how to interpret the steepness of the roll-off slope.

Understand how different parameters affect the performance of the speaker and which ones are important in designing an enclosure

Brief description of the Thiele Small parameters. The resonant frequency (Fs).

The quality factor : Q.

Compliance (Cms) and Equivalent compliance as a volume (Vas).

DC resistance (Re) and Nominal Impedance.

Maximum linear excursion (Xmax), Maximum mechanical excursion (Xmech), Effective cone area (Sd).

Speaker moving mass (Mmd) and Total moving mass (Mms).

Learn how sound is measured and compare different values from a mathematical point of view and from a subjective point of view.

How sound is measured and how to compare different sound levels. Efficiency of speakers and how to interpret the numbers in the specification sheet.

Basic working concepts, pros and cons, of the 5 most popular enclosure types.

What is the purpose of an enclosure, and what do they have in common, regardless of their type.

The Infinite baffle enclosure.

The Sealed / Closer / Acoustic suspension / Air suspension enclosure.

The Bass reflex / Ported / Vented enclosure.

The Bandpass enclosure.

The Transmission line or Acoustical labyrinth enclosure.

How an enclosure is actually a compromise between 3 qualities.

Learn how to design a sealed or closed enclosure

Complete explanation on how the sealed enclosure works.

Learn how to design a sealed enclosure using the included Excel spreadsheet.

Learn how to design a sealed enclosure using the designated paid application.

What are the effects of filling the box with sound dampening material.

Learn how to design a bass reflex or ported enclosure

Detailed explanation on how the bass reflex enclosure works.

What are box losses (QL), and how they affects the frequency response.

Predefined alignments which you can chose when tuning the box.

Learn how to design a bass reflex enclosure using the included Excel spreadsheet.

Learn how to design a bass reflex enclosure using the designated pain application.

Enclosure building advice and full examples of sealed and bass reflex builds.

Tips and tricks on how to build a great enclosure.

Full detailed example and how to design a sealed box, and how to calculate the box components using the Excel spreadsheet.

Full detailed example on how to design a bass reflex box, and how to calculate the box components using the designated paid application.

Design a 2-way loudspeaker with a basic crossover

First update for this course.

Guidelines for designing a 2-way enclosure.

Construction tips when building a 2-way enclosure.

General characteristics of crossover networks.

How to design a 2-way crossover.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on experience in designing and building speaker enclosures, which is valuable for practical application and experimentation
Starts with basic acoustics and gradually progresses to enclosure design, which ensures accessibility for newcomers while offering depth for those with some experience
Uses an Excel spreadsheet for modeling, which is accessible and cost-effective for students and hobbyists who may not have access to professional software
Emphasizes that enclosure design involves trade-offs based on personal preferences, which encourages critical listening and customization
Recommends using a paid application, 'Subwoofer design toolbox,' which may require an additional purchase for full participation in the modeling exercises
Includes a Nov 2017 update with a 2-way speaker build example and basic 2-way crossover design, which may not reflect current best practices

Save this course

Save Acoustics 101 : Speaker design basics and enclosure design to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Acoustics 101 : Speaker design basics and enclosure design with these activities:
Review Basic Acoustics Principles
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental acoustics concepts, including sound waves, frequency, and amplitude, to better grasp the course's initial modules.
Browse courses on Sound Waves
Show steps
  • Review online resources explaining sound wave propagation.
  • Practice identifying different frequencies and amplitudes in audio samples.
Read 'Understanding Audio' by Daniel M. Thompson
Expand your knowledge of audio fundamentals and signal processing techniques to enhance your understanding of speaker design principles.
View Understanding Audio on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to acoustics and speaker technology.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
Speaker Parameter Calculations
Sharpen your skills in calculating speaker parameters like resonant frequency (Fs), Qts, and Vas, which are crucial for enclosure design.
Show steps
  • Find speaker specification sheets online.
  • Calculate enclosure volumes using different speaker parameters.
  • Compare your calculations with online calculators to verify accuracy.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Enclosure Design Simulation
Apply your knowledge by simulating the frequency response of different enclosure designs using software like Subwoofer Design Toolbox or similar tools.
Show steps
  • Choose a speaker and gather its Thiele/Small parameters.
  • Model sealed, and bass reflex enclosures using the chosen parameters.
  • Analyze the simulated frequency response curves.
  • Document your findings and observations.
Build a Simple Test Enclosure
Solidify your understanding by building a basic sealed or bass reflex enclosure and measuring its frequency response.
Show steps
  • Design a simple enclosure using the course materials.
  • Gather the necessary materials and tools.
  • Construct the enclosure carefully.
  • Measure the frequency response using a microphone and audio interface.
Document Your Enclosure Build
Reinforce your learning by creating a detailed write-up or video documenting your enclosure design and build process.
Show steps
  • Take photos or videos throughout the build process.
  • Write a detailed description of each step.
  • Explain the design choices and challenges encountered.
  • Share your documentation online or with other students.
Read 'Testing Loudspeakers' by Joseph D'Appolito
Deepen your understanding of loudspeaker testing methodologies and learn how to interpret measurement data to optimize your designs.
View Testing Loudspeakers on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters related to loudspeaker measurements.
  • Take notes on key measurement techniques and their interpretation.

Career center

Learners who complete Acoustics 101 : Speaker design basics and enclosure design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Custom Speaker Builder
A custom speaker builder designs and builds speakers to meet unique customer needs, and this course is perfectly matched to the role. The course emphasizes how to design enclosures, which is the bread and butter of a custom speaker builder. The course also goes deep into explaining sound waves, speaker components, and the trade-offs between different enclosure types, which will help with the design process. This course teaches modeling software, which helps with the design and optimization process. The course goes in depth on building sealed and bass reflex boxes but also explains the theory behind other enclosures as well. Therefore, the course is highly relevant to the custom speaker builder.
See salaries and explore the career path for Custom Speaker Builder
DIY Audio Equipment Builder
A DIY audio equipment builder constructs their own audio devices and systems, and this course has much to offer. The course teaches the fundamentals of speaker design and enclosure construction, so the builder is better informed during the process. The course's detailed instructions on how to design sealed and bass reflex enclosures gives specific guidance to help someone building their own speakers. The techniques of modeling software detailed in this course are also useful for a DIY builder to virtually test and optimize their designs. This course is very useful for anyone looking to create their own audio equipment.
See salaries and explore the career path for DIY Audio Equipment Builder
Audio Engineer
An audio engineer works with the technical aspects of sound, and this course is a great way to begin that journey. They may work in recording studios, live venues, or post-production facilities, and this course helps build a foundation in understanding speaker design and acoustics, essential for manipulating and shaping sound. The course covers core principles of sound waves and speaker components, and how they interact with enclosures, which directly impacts the tonal quality, loudness, and overall sound reproduction. Working with sealed and bass reflex enclosures, as taught in this course, helps an audio engineer improve their overall understanding of the sound they are trying to create.
See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer
Sound Designer
A sound designer creates and manipulates audio for various projects, including films, video games, and live performances. This course helps sound designers deepen their understanding of how speaker design and enclosures affect sound output. The course provides deep insight into how sound waves function and how speaker components produce sound, which is essential for manipulating audio at a technical level, as well as using software to model performance. The course's focus on building enclosures also helps sound designers understand how physical constraints can impact audio, which can be useful in sound design applications. Therefore, taking this course will benefit the sound designer in many ways.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer
Product Designer
A product designer works on the overall design, usability, and functionality of physical products and this course may be useful for someone focused on audio products. This course’s focus on speaker enclosures and their impact on sound output helps a product designer make more informed choices when creating audio products. Understanding different enclosure types and their acoustic properties as taught in this course may help a product designer better design the physical form of consumer speakers. The course's methodology of modeling software usage is also useful for a product designer to test their designs in a virtual environment. This course helps product designers grasp the technical aspects of audio products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer
Acoustical Consultant
Acoustical consultants advise on how sound behaves in different spaces, and this course may be useful for those just entering the field. They address issues like noise control, sound quality, and vibration. The course’s discussion of sound wave characteristics and how they are affected by different environments helps an acoustical consultant better understand how spaces impact sound. The course’s focus on designing speaker enclosures may be beneficial to understanding how changes on a small scale can affect changes on a large scale. Concepts about modeling software discussed in this course may also be helpful in predicting how sound behaves in different environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Acoustical Consultant
Audio Technician
An audio technician works with audio equipment and systems in many different settings. They may be setting up equipment, troubleshooting problems, or maintaining systems. The course’s focus on speaker design is particularly useful to the audio technician, as understanding the components of a speaker and how they interact with enclosures can help with both setup and troubleshooting tasks. The course covers how to interpret specification sheets for speakers, which is also helpful for choosing and calibrating equipment. Therefore taking this course may be beneficial to the audio technician.
See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Technician
Home Theater Installer
A home theater installer plans and installs audio and video systems in residential settings, and this course might be useful. A deep understanding of speaker design and enclosure types are critical for ensuring optimal sound quality in a home theater, thus directly impacting the installer's ability to please a customer. The course's detailed lessons on sealed and bass reflex enclosures can help the installer choose and design enclosures suitable for different room sizes and shapes. The knowledge of two-way speaker designs and basic crossover networks, as discussed in this course, is also useful to someone working on complex installations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Home Theater Installer
Automotive Audio Engineer
An automotive audio engineer designs and develops audio systems for vehicles, and this course may be beneficial. The course's discussion of enclosure types, speaker components, and sound wave theory can help an automotive audio engineer design systems that are optimized for different vehicle sizes and shapes. Understanding the trade-offs between different enclosure types, covered in this course, is particularly useful for someone working with the limited space and unique acoustic challenges within a car. The principles of modeling software in the course can also help the audio engineer predict audio performance in a vehicle cabin.
See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Audio Engineer
Studio Designer
A studio designer plans and constructs spaces for recording and producing audio. This course may be useful for a studio designer because it focuses on the way sound behaves, and how it can be shaped by speaker design. The course provides a detailed foundation of understanding sound waves, how they are produced by speakers, and how enclosures impact them. The course's practical focus on sealed and bass reflex enclosure design, as well as the use of modeling software, are valuable tools for anyone looking to better understand studio sound. The course’s information is certainly helpful to this type of role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Studio Designer
Consumer Electronics Tester
A consumer electronics tester evaluates the performance and quality of electronic products, and this course may be useful for someone focused on audio products. This course’s focus on different types of speaker enclosures, and their unique benefits, gives the tester a stronger understanding of what to look for during an evaluation. The course's deep dive into interpreting speaker specification sheets helps the tester better understand the technical claims made by the producers. The course’s instruction on modeling software usage can also help a tester understand the theoretical sound output and compare it to real-world results. This course helps a consumer electronics tester.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consumer Electronics Tester
Live Sound Technician
A live sound technician sets up and manages sound equipment for live events and performances, and this course may be useful. The course’s discussion of speaker enclosures helps the technician understand how the physical design of speakers affects their output and sound projection. Understanding the course’s lessons on frequency response and sound waves can help a sound technician optimize the sound at an event. The course’s instruction on modeling software usage can also help the technician troubleshoot issues and prepare for different performance spaces. This course will benefit a live sound technician.
See salaries and explore the career path for Live Sound Technician
Electronic Music Producer
An electronic music producer creates music using electronic instruments and software, and this course may be useful alongside music production courses. Understanding how speaker design impacts sound can help the producer make better mixing and mastering decisions. The course’s instruction on how different components of speakers and their enclosures can impact sound is useful when creating a mix. The course also discusses modeling software, which can help a producer understand how their music will sound in various environments. This course can further the knowledge of an electronic music producer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Electronic Music Producer
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation for technical products or services, and this course is useful for someone focused on audio products. The course’s deep dive into various technical aspects of speaker design can help the writer create more informed and detailed documents. The course’s discussion on sound waves, enclosure types, and design considerations provide key information for a technical writer. Understanding the principles behind speaker design, as taught in the course, can help the writer communicate the technical specifications of a product clearly. This course may be helpful for a technical writer working with audio products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Acoustics Researcher
An acoustics researcher studies the science of sound and its behavior in different environments. Much of the course material will benefit an acoustics researcher. This course provides a basic background on sound waves and speaker design, and this may be a useful jumping-off point for further study into acoustics. The course's emphasis on different enclosure types and their acoustic properties introduces a level of complexity to understand when going deeper in acoustics. The course’s use of modeling software is a technique that may be used when modeling real-world systems. Therefore, an acoustics researcher may find this course a good place to start.
See salaries and explore the career path for Acoustics Researcher

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Acoustics 101 : Speaker design basics and enclosure design.
Testing Loudspeakers
Save
Delves into the methods and techniques for testing loudspeaker performance. It provides a detailed understanding of how to measure and interpret loudspeaker characteristics. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It adds more depth to the existing course by providing a deeper understanding of loudspeaker testing methodologies.
Testing Loudspeakers
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Understanding Audio
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of audio principles, covering topics from basic acoustics to digital audio processing. It's a valuable resource for understanding the underlying science behind speaker design. While not strictly required, it offers a deeper dive into the concepts introduced in the course, making it useful for those seeking a more thorough understanding. It is often used as a textbook in introductory audio engineering courses.
Understanding Audio
Paperback
Check
Understanding Audio
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
3.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Marius Tanasescu
Language
English
Good to know
Provides hands-on experience in designing and building speaker enclosures, which is valuable for practical application and experimentation
Starts with basic acoustics and gradually progresses to enclosure design, which ensures accessibility for newcomers while offering depth for those with some experience
Uses an Excel spreadsheet for modeling, which is accessible and cost-effective for students and hobbyists who may not have access to professional software
Emphasizes that enclosure design involves trade-offs based on personal preferences, which encourages critical listening and customization
Recommends using a paid application, 'Subwoofer design toolbox,' which may require an additional purchase for full participation in the modeling exercises
Includes a Nov 2017 update with a 2-way speaker build example and basic 2-way crossover design, which may not reflect current best practices
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