設定
快速送達
免運費
國貿條規
付款類型
商城產品
Audio Devices: We Use Them, But What Are They?
2025-09-03 | By Aaron Gondo
Overview
Chances are that the device you are using right now is connected to either a pair of headphones or a speaker. From the speakers in your earbuds to subwoofers at a concert, devices around us make sound in many different ways. These devices create tiny pressure differences in the air around you that your ears perceive as sound.
Dynamic Drivers
“Loudspeaker-bass” by Svjo is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
The first type of audio device that we will be looking at is the dynamic driver. A dynamic driver uses a diaphragm with a coil of wire attached to it, suspended above a permanent magnet. When power is passed through the coil, a magnetic field is created, and the diaphragm moves based on the direction of the magnetic field. When that direction is rapidly changed, the pressure differences create what we hear as sound. This is the most common type of audio driver found in consumer devices. They can often be found inside headphones, cell phones, and earbuds. Dynamic drivers are a great option for adding sound to your projects and come in many different shapes and sizes. You can find thousands of options here.
Planar Magnetic Drivers
Next, we have the planar magnetic driver. Planar magnetic drivers are a less common audio device commonly found in high-end headphones used by audio enthusiasts. Planar magnetic drivers have permanent magnets like a dynamic driver; however, instead of a coil of wire connected to a diaphragm, there is a pattern of conductive material on the diaphragm itself. Operating on the same principle as a dynamic driver, when an audio signal is passed through the wire, the diaphragm is attracted to and repelled from magnets on either side of the diaphragm. Planar magnetic drivers are hard to come across, but there are a few options to experiment with here.
The Numbers
Both dynamic and planar magnetic audio drivers describe their capabilities using the same specifications. Frequency response refers to the range of frequencies that it can produce and is measured in hertz (Hz). Most drivers designed to be used in headphones or across a wide range of frequencies have a response range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), as this is the widely accepted range of frequencies we can hear. Impedance refers to the electrical resistance of the driver’s coil and is measured in ohms. A higher impedance results in the need for an amplifier that has enough power to overcome that resistance and produce a loud enough sound. Finally, the power rating of the driver is the maximum amount of power that can safely be put through the driver without risking damage. This is expressed in watts, and when combined with the other specifications, you can use them to find an amplifier chip for your needs here.
Conclusion
Sound surrounds us in our everyday lives, but we put little thought into the devices that produce it. They come in many different shapes and sizes and use various technologies. Regardless of what you want to make, there's always one that fits your needs. Another type of audio device that isn't covered in this blog is piezo buzzers. They are a great option for adding sound to your projects, and you can check out this blog on them.
中國香港