State-of-the-art loudspeaker development is mainly motivated by added functionality and improved audio quality. Consequently, innovations are typically located in the field of signal processing and electronics. In contrast, the loudspeaker design presented here is inspired by three main concepts: additive manufacturing, aesthetic design and sustainability. Initially, a prototype developed by Verena Hutter established a benchmark. This project focused on the possibilities of broadband sound radiation in an aesthetic cabinet with a secluded driver. To achieve an even spatial sound distribution, different reflective elements were produced and their respective frequency response at different listening positions was measured. Considering the limitations given by the additive manufacturing process and material, as well as the aesthetic vision of a Möbius ring, a cabinet was designed and electroacoustically optimized with a commercially available driver. To improve sustainability, the electronics were optimized for energy efficiency. Moreover, the possibility to easily disassemble and thus repair or replace different parts of the loudspeaker was included into the design. The project resulted in an aesthetically pleasing, 3D-printed loudspeaker out of sustainable material with a secluded driver, a wide frequency range, improved energy efficiency, and simple disassembly.

Authors: Isenegger, Manuel; Schedler, Elias; Hutter, Verena; Zumbühl, Christoph; Schälli, Othmar; Taghipour, Armin
Affiliations: Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Horw, Switzerland; Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Horw, Switzerland; Verena Hutter, Zurich, Switzerland; Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Horw, Switzerland; Pure Sonic GmbH, Walchwil, Switzerland; Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Horw, Switzerland(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Conference: AES 2024 International Conference on Acoustics & Sound Reinforcement (January 2024)
Paper Number: 11
Publication Date: January 23, 2024
Subject: Acoustics & Sound Reinforcment

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