Guide to the choice of loudspeakers for the stereo system and tips for positioning the loudspeakers in the room, in order to obtain maximum listening purity.
Stereo speakers
The loudspeakers or speakers in a sound reproduction system deal with the conversion of the electrical signal into a mechanical wave caused by the vibrating speaker membrane.
Since they represent the last element of the reproduction chain, they have a strong influence on the final sound result.
We can divide the speakers into two categories: active speakers and passive speakers.
As you can guess from the definition, the former have a built-in audio amplifier inside that allows you to connect them directly to the source, while the latter contain only speakers and a crossover or filter to divide the various frequencies between the speakers according to set criteria.
Single-way loudspeakers
Single-way speakers are characterized by a single speaker with very good characteristics to be able to reproduce all the frequencies of the humanly audible sound spectrum by itself.
Its membrane must be light enough to vibrate at high frequencies and at the same time large to be able to move large volumes of air for the reproduction of low frequencies.
Two-way loudspeakers
Very popular this type of speakers are characterized by two speakers, respectively for the reproduction of low and high frequencies.
To work properly, since each one specializes in a well-defined spectrum of frequencies, the two speakers are connected to an electronic filter, called a crossover, with the task of distributing the right frequencies to the dedicated speaker.
A 2-way speaker consists of a cabinet with an internal resonance chamber, two speakers on the front and an internal electronic filter.
Three or more way loudspeakers
In a 3 or more-way speaker, the division of the audio band occurs between a greater number of speakers, each designed for the optimal reproduction only of a narrow range of frequencies.
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The division of the frequencies to be distributed to the various loudspeakers also provides here, as in the two-way type, a crossover filter, but in this case more complex.
Types of stereo speakers
The speakers are then defined according to the position they must have in floor speakers, pedestal speakers and bookshelf speakers.
In order of preference, whenever possible, floor speakers with a height of about 100 cm are preferable for having the twiteer and the mid-range, respectively the speakers for high and medium frequencies, at the height of the ears of a seated person at the listening point at the normal height of a sofa, chair or armchair.
Low frequency reproduction
For the reproduction of low frequencies there are speakers with bass reflex technology and air suspension speakers.
In the former, which generally have lower diameter woofers, the basses are reinforced by an internal resonance box communicating with the outside through an opening or tube (called an agreement tube as it is tuned to a certain frequency) of various diameters at depending on the project.
In the latter, the inside of the case is hermetically sealed and therefore isolated from the outside air.
The bass will have to be reproduced exclusively by the air moved by the woofers membrane which must have a good diameter to satisfactorily reproduce the low range.
It cannot be said a priori that one technology is better than the other but the design and construction level is more important.
Positioning of the stereo speakers
Correct positioning of the speakers in the room is very important. The speakers of a stereo system must be located at the same distance from and in front of the listening point.
For greater benefits in terms of medium-high frequencies, it is appropriate to direct the speakers themselves towards the listening point and tilt them slightly backwards.
