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Company |
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The Klippel GmbH is a innovative German company founded by
Prof. Wolfgang Klippel in 1997 to produce novel control and measurement systems
for loudspeakers. The current developments are based on the results of
loudspeaker research performed over nearly 20 years and published in numerous
scientific papers and patents. Wolfgang Klippel contributed to the development
of large-signal models for loudspeakers which are the basis for digital
compensation of the nonlinear distortion. His pioneering work was recognized by
awards of the Audio Engineering Society.
Co-workers have joined his team to accumulate more expertise in acoustics,
nonlinear system theory, digital signal processing, hardware and software
development.
Smaller Drivers
Digital signal processing has revolutionized the sound reproduction systems in the last
ten years, setting a high standard of sound quality not possible in the analog era before.
The loudspeaker - the final link to the listener - generates high amount of audible
distortion at maximal signal amplitudes. Instead of operating large speakers far below the
mechanical limits we believe in small and lightweight speakers generating high acoustic
output at high accuracy and efficiency using less natural resources.
Large Signal Performance
Listening as well as objective measurements are the tools for designing better speakers
and sustaining high quality in manufacturing. A Linear Driver Model and the measurement of
the amplitude and phase response fail at high signal amplitudes. Conventional harmonic and
intermodulation measurements shows that the driver is somewhere nonlinear but can not
describe the cause of the distortion. We are developing novel measurement techniques which
quantify the nonlinearities directly and measure their contribution to the total
distortion while reproducing an audio-like signal.
Coping with Driver Nonlinearities
The large signal parameters give direct indications about the physical cause of the
distortion. Some of the problems can be fixed at low cost by improving the voice coil
position and the assembling of the suspension. Other nonlinearities are directly related
to other desired properties of the speaker such as efficiency and size. To find the
optimal solution for the particular application the engineer needs better simulation tools
to predict the final performance in the large signal domain. Digital signal processing
applied to nonlinear driver modeling enables both engineering and marketing to listen to a
virtual speaker before starting with prototyping and to define the final product more
precisely in an early stage.
Digital Compensation of nonlinear speakers
We envision an active speaker bringing together the new possibilities of digital signal
processing and the experience accumulated in passive driver design. Electro dynamical
drivers giving highest output at a minimum of natural resources have a nonlinear motor
characteristic. Coupled with an electric controller which is a self-learning nonlinear
system dedicated to speakers and implemented in digital platforms at low cost will
compensate undesired distortion, protect the driver against damage and preserve high
performance over years of use.
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R+D System
