Warwick Acoustics Car Audio Transducers Help Eliminate Rare Earth Elements Usage

Warwick Acoustics is working with a number of notable car manufacturers to support the elimination of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from their vehicles by promoting the use of its ‘zero-REE’ Electroacoustic panels. As high-profile car manufacturers and OEMs are aiming to eliminate REEs in their vehicles, the UK-based audio company says that elements commonly used in audio systems, such as neodymium and dysprosium, typically make up to 30% of REE content still remaining in new-generation electric vehicles.

Celestion, one of the world’s leading suppliers of professional loudspeakers and compression drivers for sound reinforcement applications, announced availability of two new 1.4" exit, neodymium magnet, high frequency compression drivers to their range, the CDX14-3055 and CDX14-3045. These next-generation drivers both offer improved power handling and sensitivity, with a lower crossover point and overall reduction in size, making them compact and extremely effective HF solutions for use in high-quality fixed installation, or touring sound systems.

This issue of Voice Coil is packed full of great knowledge for speaker professionals. The September 2023 issue features three Test Bench characterizations: the Fountek NeoCD2.0 Ribbon Tweeter, the SB Acoustics WO24TX-4 Satori midbass, and the SEAS L22ROY2 8" subwoofer. This issue also features our annual overview of Magnetic Materials for the Loudspeaker Industry. Peter Larsen (Loudsoft) concludes his FINE Circle tutorial with a passive crossover for his design. This issue of Voice Coil is now available in print, online, and in digital formats.

Following the unveiling of multiple new products during the NAB 2023 show in Las Vegas, NV - most of which directly targeting podcasting and online content creation - Røde has now launched the PodMic USB. Based on the original PodMic, which was quickly established as an extremely popular choice for podcasters and streamers, the new PodMic USB takes versatility to new heights, offering both XLR and USB connectivity and built-in DSP and processing features.

This article is a detailed characterization of the HF1460 1.4" exit neodymium motor compression driver from Faital Pro, oriented toward pro audio applications. The Faital Pro HF1460 features a carbon fiber diaphragm, which Faital Pro has been researching for some time, even before the first TeXtreme products were available in the market. The horn supplied for use with the HF1460 was the LTH142, an injection-molded, elliptical tractrix flare horn, with a 60° x 50° coverage pattern. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, September 2022.

The Celestion CDX1-1412 Compression Driver is a compact 1" unit intended for professional audio applications, a traditional segment for the UK-based OEM manufacturer. This compression driver features a FEA-optimized neodymium ring magnet motor structure, a nominal power handling of 35W, a 2kHz recommended crossover frequency (with a minimum 12dB/octave high-pass network), and 106dB sensitivity (1W/1m) measured with its own 1" H1-9050 90°x50° constant directivity horn. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, June 2022.

The focus for this Test Bench is the 2FE24 2.5” full-range driver from FaitalPRO, an interesting small diameter full-range design suitable for pro audio applications such as PA line source speakers. The 2FE24 is built on a proprietary injection-molded polycarbonate four-spoke frame, and the cone assembly consists of an uncoated paper cone and dust cap, low loss half-roll NBR surround, and elevated cloth spider. Powering the cone assembly is a neodymium ring magnet and a milled return cup fitted to a 19mm diameter voice coil wound with aluminum wire on a Kapton former. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, May 2022.

Another great issue of Voice Coil magazine. Vance Dickason writes about the Multi-Tone Measurement Module (MTON) available for the Klippel KA3 Analyzer. Mike Klasco and Nora Wong (Menlo Scientific) compiled an updated Directory of Headphone Test & Measurement Equipment for 2022. We revisit a 2004 patent of a speaker using an "Internal Negative Stiffness Mechanism." And in Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes the latest Celestion CDX1-1412 1" Compression Driver and a new 3" dome midrange from Tang Band Speaker (TB Speaker).

The driver on this Test Bench is from B&C Speakers and clearly designed for professional audio. The 10NW76 was designed for uses in line arrays, small two-way monitors, and as a subwoofer, or as a midbass driver in multiway systems. It uses a proprietary 12-spoke (six double spokes) cast-aluminum frame with a series of cooling vents that allow air to move past the voice coil and across the front side of the neodymium motor assembly. The cone assembly consists of a curvilinear waterproof coated paper cone and dust cap. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, December 2021.

This Test Bench explication characterizes the 15DS100 15” professional subwoofer from B&C Speakers. This new transducer from the Italian company is a very high power handling design, able to deliver 3kW continuous (1.6W nominal), thanks to B&C's latest generation of very long voice coils - a great asset in applications from discreet PA subwoofers to three-way PA speakers. The B&C 15DS100-4 uses a proprietary 12-spoke cast aluminum frame with cooling vents for the neodymium FEA motor, which uses a 4” four-layer voice coil wound with round aluminum wire on a non-conducting glass fiber former. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2021.