Loudspeaker

A transducer which converts electrical energy to acoustical energy. Very often, loudspeakers with different frequency response characteristics are combined together in a speaker system. This is necessary for hi-fi reproduction, since it is difficult for a single loudspeaker to reproduce the entire audio spectrum.

Loudspeakers which reproduce low frequencies are called woofers; those which reproduce high frequencies tweeters.

See: Acoustic Radiation, Baffle, Diaphragm, Directivity, Electroacoustic, Enclosure, Pan, Subharmonic, Transient Response. Sound examples under Frequency Response. Compare: Microphone.

Components of a typical loudspeaker mounted on a baffle.