Loudspeaker Electroacoustic Measurements Application Note

Compared to electronic audio test, measuring loudspeakers is complicated. First, to measure sound levels accurately requires precision measurement microphones and supporting electronics, which have a known, stable sensitivity and flat frequency response over the frequency range of interest. Measurements are further complicated by the interaction of the loudspeaker under test with the test environment. Ideally, we want to measure the direct sound radiated from the device under test (DUT) without any contamination caused by reflections from walls, floors, or ceilings, etc. Special rooms called anechoic chambers are available for this purpose, but they are very expensive. And even the best ones are usually not fully anechoic at the lowest frequencies of interest.

In this application note we provide an overview of the key electroacoustic measurements used to
characterize the performance of loudspeaker drive units and loudspeaker systems, referring to industry standards for guidance.