Engineering acoustics

The paper is an attempt to review the principal considerations encountered in the design of complete sound-reproducing systems in which the highest quality reproduction is desired. In the first place, reproducing systems are treated in general terms in relation to the transmission requirements. Secondly, the component parts of such systems as are at present available are examined from the point of view of their limitations in high-quality application. In this connection an exact definition of response must be derived for each component so that it falls into line in its system. Finally, the methods of sound measurement in use at the present time are outlined, and the determination of the response curves of transmitters and receivers is illustrated by experimental results obtained by the author with the Rayleigh disc.