Today, speaker manufacturers are as equally concerned about a speaker’s performance as they are about its design aesthetics. High Definition music, and the demand for sound clarity at higher amplitudes, is expected by casual listeners, audiophiles, and live performers alike. This expectation requires manufacturers to design and build products to a higher standard. Manufacturers seeking to produce the highest quality product utilize both acoustic sensors and accelerometers during speaker design and testing, allowing them to effectively identify and isolate issues.

Designed and built to the highest standard, our selection of acoustic microphones, accelerometers, and accessories are ideal for speaker design and testing. We offer acoustic sensors with:

  • Extremely low noise floor, down to 5.5 dBA
  • High amplitude, up to 182 dB without clipping
  • Frequency ranges (0.1 Hz to 100000 Hz) above and below the human hearing range
  • Extremely low distortion

Identifying noise and resonance frequencies beyond the audible range is critical for a speaker’s sound quality and clarity, as well as the product’s longevity. What you can’t hear is important.

Sensitivity Stability over Frequency Range (PCB® Model 376A31)

Truer sound is captured with a flat response. The sensitivity deviation over frequency for lab grade microphones is much more stable than audio microphones. Limiting the inaccuracy of the measuring device, minimizes negative impact on the output. This translates into more consistent levels for all instruments and all notes played.

PCB’s low distortion Test & Measurement lab grade acoustic and vibration sensors have the necessary performance to capture the full fidelity data required to address common design concerns, including:

  • Rub and Buzz resulting from mechanical and structural defects in the speaker
  • Air and sound leakage emanating from the cabinet that degrades performance
  • Cabinet vibration resulting from a speaker’s design, materials, and construction process
  • Frequency crossover between woofers and tweeters

When you use the best equipment, you will have a greater level of confidence in your design and manufacturing process.

Total Harmonic Distortion Chart

Low 1% THD provides a more accurate representation of the actual distortion of the speaker, not the added distortion from the measuring device. PCB microphones can reach over 150 dB at 1% distortion, so high amplitude blasts for a soundtrack or kick drums will not overload the mic and the output will remain clear.