Speaker Applications Using Alpine HX5 Ultra Strong Lightweight Nanocomposite

Loudspeaker designers can look forward to a couple of exciting materials that have been in stealth mode but are about to step into the spotlight. A lightweight military aviation-grade nanocomposite from Alpine Advanced Materials, HX5 may be an alternative to beryllium and high-performance aluminum alloys used in woofer, midrange, and full-range cones. Compared to aluminum, cones can be made at half the weight with comparable strength. This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2022.

Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) provides an overview on how to specify or manufacture voice coils. In this reference article, Mike Klasco recaps on voice coil basics, bobbin materials and sizes, collars, winding techniques, configurations, tips and tricks and wire types and considerations - a valuable, concise compendium of unique knowledge. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, August 2020.

Voice Coil February 2020 is now available for download. This edition features an industry update on Speaker Cones, exploring the fabrication, materials, and performance aspects of this critical component in driver design. This is complemented with a comprehensive directory of loudspeaker cone, surround, spider, and other soft part suppliers. James Croft reviews a Self-Sealing Expandable Subwoofer design patent, while Vance Dickason characterizes the LaVoce WAN103.01 high-power 10” woofer, and a Radian 835PB ferrite 1.4” aluminum diaphragm compression driver in Test Bench.