1. Electrostatic Loudspeaker Bret Spencer ECE 5320 - Mechatronics http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/images/stories/speaker_product_reviews/home_theater_speakers/2007-08-final-sound-1000i-speakers-90ht-system-product-reviews.jpg

2. History – Early Patents In 1929, E.W. Kellogg filed for a patent for an early magnetically driven electrostatic speaker In 1953, Arthur Janszen was granted a patent for a high-frequency electrostatic speaker http://www.virtualdj.com/image/oldblog/95/23138/image.jpg

3. History – On the Market In 1957, first full-range electrostatic speaker put on market by Quad ESL based on Kellogg’s patent design In the early 1960’s, Arthur Janszen, with KLH loudspeakers, introduced a rival electrostatic loudspeaker to Quad ESL

4. Vs. Janszen Electrostatic SpeakerQuad ESL Design Photos courtesy of http://www.martinlogan.com/learn/electrostatic-loudspeaker-history.php

5. Electrostatic Speakers Today http://media.audiojunkies.com/martinlogan-spire-martin-logan-loudspeaker- electrostatic-speaker-subwoofer-audiophile-audio.jpg Electrostatic technology has steadily increased New materials and new techniques have improved electrostatic loudspeakers

6. Types of Electrostatic Speakers 1.Static film charge 2.Dynamic film current

7. Center film has a very high, constant charge Outer plates are driven with input signal Front and back plates are driven in anti-phase Static Film Charge Electric Field

8. Diagram courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Static Film Charge Changing electric field causes inner film to move Rapid changes cause vibrations and sound is produced

9. Outer plates have a very high, constant voltage Current is driven through center film Dynamic Film Current

10. Illustration courtesy of www.howstuffworks.com Dynamic Film Current

11. A constant electric field is generated by the outer plates The change in charge on the diaphragm causes it to move and vibrate within the electric field

12. Diaphragm Construction A very early design used pig intestine with gold leaf coating as the diaphragm Plastics coated in conductive substance were a standard diaphragm material Polyester films, such as Mylar, are commonly used today

13. http://free-hosting.infodiv.com/geocities-quad_esl63/images/home/esl63exposed.jpg Speaker Construction

14. Advantages Very low sound distortion levels Excellent frequency response due to low diaphragm mass Sound carries further because of increased sound producing surface area

15. Linear Sound Emitter Electrostatic Speaker is a linear sound emitter Sound is produced along the whole length of the diaphragm Sound carries longer distances

16. Top View Electrostatic speaker Conventional Speaker Linear Sound Emitter Conventional speakers have greater spread Electrostatic speakers are concentrated in a single direction

17. Disadvantages Poor low frequency response Thin diaphragms are very fragile Highly directional Much more expensive than conventional speakers High impedance input Requires use of amplifier

18. Low Frequency Response The poor low frequency response can be countered with adding a conventional magnetically driven cone loudspeaker, a woofer http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/10/martinlogan_speaks.jpg

19. Alternative: Magnetic Coil Most common type of loudspeaker today Uses electromagnetics to drive a conical diaphragm Size can be altered for a wide array of frequencies Durable Low impedance input Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

20. Alternative: Magnetic Coil http://www.virtualdj.com/image/oldblog/103/23138/image.jpg

21. Alternative: Ribbon Magnetic Very similar to electrostatic loudspeakers Uses an electrically charged metallic ribbon placed in a strong magnetic field Can be more fragile than electrostatic diaphragms http://www.ariesmotor.com/products/neopro5i.jpg

22. Cost & Availability From $500 to over $6000 Several companies available worldwide produce electrostatic speakers A variety of designs Floor standing Wall mount Wide or narrow dispersion

23. High End Electrostatic Speaker http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MLSUMX%20% 20%20%20BLKBLKhttp://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MLSUMX%20% 20%20%20BLKBLK Frequency Response 24 – 23,000Hz 30° Horizontal Dispersion 400 Watts total power Just over 5 feet tall $7,000

24. Low End Electrostatic Speaker http://www.cowboom.com/store/productDetails.cfm?c ontentID=218663http://www.cowboom.com/store/productDetails.cfm?c ontentID=218663 Frequency Response 41 – 23,000Hz 200 Watts total power $539

25. Sources http://www.martinlogan.com/learn/electrostatic-loudspeaker-history.php http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/recording/loudspeaker.html http://www.howstuffworks.com/speaker11.htm http://www.quadesl.org/History/Quad_History/quad_history.html