New(ish) approach to Loco sound

Slawman

Slawman

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Well this may not qualify in the "new technology" field (it has been around for a bit) but perhaps a new approach to sound in small locos.

I have recently been fiddling with speakers for my Spreewald and tried a few small enclosed drivers along with an "audio exciter". I was quite limited with the space available to install a driver. This is a problem if you want any sort of volume which is generally required for outdoor applications.

I have previously used exciters on outdoor advertising enclosures and was pleased to find some quite small ones to test for this application.

Dayton Audio Exciters - Loudspeaker Drivers By Series - Loudspeaker Components

Visaton make one as well.

For the size of the driver I used (about 15mm) it puts out a remarkably clear and loud sound and a significant and noticeable improvement over the 28mm round and 7cm rectangle enclosed drivers.

I think the full size drivers still offer the best sound (louder) however when these are not an option due to install space this technology delivers superior sound at the same price.

Here is the finished item:
 
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Nice job, sounds very good - always handy to know about new ideas like this..... I saw your pics of the install in another thread, but any details on how you actually fixed the speaker/exciter in place please?

Does anyone in the UK actually stock these? A quick application of Google-Fu only showed up a supplier in the Netherlands, with a shipping rate more expensive than the actual item!

Jon.
 
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Zerogee said:
Nice job, sounds very good - always handy to know about new ideas like this..... I saw your pics of the install in another thread, but any details on how you actually fixed the speaker/exciter in place please?

Does anyone in the UK actually stock these? A quick application of Google-Fu only showed up a supplier in the Netherlands, with a shipping rate more expensive than the actual item!

Jon.
Click to expand...

The driver I bought had some double sided tape to attach it to a surface.

Rs components have one which might be suitable:

Tectonic Elements Round Audio Exciter, 2W nom, >4W max, 8Ω | TEAX19C01-8 | RS Components
 
Zerogee said:
Nice job, sounds very good - always handy to know about new ideas like this..... I saw your pics of the install in another thread, but any details on how you actually fixed the speaker/exciter in place please?

Does anyone in the UK actually stock these? A quick application of Google-Fu only showed up a supplier in the Netherlands, with a shipping rate more expensive than the actual item!

Jon.
Click to expand...


Comes with adhesive already applied..

Pre-applied 3M™ VHB™ adhesive for quick, durable installation

Found one UK supplier.. Still looking for more..
PhilP.
 
Little bit confused about these, reading the RS Add the following is said:-

‘Excellent sound radiators can be produced using a variety of rigid materials including paper honeycomb and foam board and plastics. These compact devices offer space and weight savings, and can be used to create robust, ’invisible’ loudspeakers that deliver full range audio with wide sound dispersion.’

Does this mean that one could be stuck say in a Cab Roof of a puffer a little like where the Sandpaper Sound Unit is in a Stainz and be using the roof as a Sound Generator?
 
dunnyrail said:
Little bit confused about these, reading the RS Add the following is said:-

‘Excellent sound radiators can be produced using a variety of rigid materials including paper honeycomb and foam board and plastics. These compact devices offer space and weight savings, and can be used to create robust, ’invisible’ loudspeakers that deliver full range audio with wide sound dispersion.’

Does this mean that one could be stuck say in a Cab Roof of a puffer a little like where the Sandpaper Sound Unit is in a Stainz and be using the roof as a Sound Generator?
Click to expand...

Yes Jon,
These units are also known as 'exciters'.. They effectively turn the surface they are attached to into a 'sounding board'..
 
Sorry, but "Exciter" just sounds like something out of the Ann Summers catalogue....... :devil::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Jon.
 
Zerogee said:
Sorry, but "Exciter" just sounds like something out of the Ann Summers catalogue....... :devil::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Jon.
Click to expand...

We now know what you have been reading!!
And..
You DO realise the adverts we are going to get now, don't you! :tmi::rolleyes::rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
Reminds me of the cheap "vibration speakers" that have been around for a while. I have a little USB cylindrical one, it's very effective when placed on a hollow wooden table or cabinet.

My HiFi system is currently running through a Warfdale flat panel NXT-based system which is the same sort of idea, using exciters to vibrate the entire panel of each "picture frame". Still needs a sub-woofer to fill out the bottom end though.
 
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As these little drivers are $4 each I plan on playing around with placement to see if that makes much difference. They are effectively "single use" in terms of the double sided adhesive so the one I have attached to the perspex insert was my first attempt. You could also mount this on the inside wall of the loco boiler (flat bit), the firebox or the rear wall of the cab.

The lower end is where all the difference was comparing the other little drivers. Basically they didn't have any and this has some.

I have a few other little bits and bobs coming from china including a little crossover which I plan on using to put a bass driver into the boiler (in addition). Something like this:

2W 27mm 8ohm OD High Bass Speaker - The Saber Armory

It probably all sounds a bit nutty but I enjoy the tinkering and audio has been a passion of mine for many years so it is a nice crossover (pun intended).
 
These things sound like they could be good but I don't really understand any of the gobbledegook. To my mind a sub woofer would be some sort of underwater dog.
 
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