Damping Factor - Interesting article

One last thing:

Damping factor theory is basically series network analysis. There’s nothing here very complicated. You just string up your amp’s output impedance and put it in series with the load, then analyze the difference in output vs. F.

Amp (+) --> Output Z --> Load Z --> Amp (-)

A little work with a spreadsheet and a speaker impedance graph and you too could model this at home! Any EE learns to do this probably in the first semester of electronics. If you want to learn more search for "AC Circuit Analysis"

There is one thing I’d like to say though: While network analysis like this is straightforward, the effects I’ve heard from speaker cables has led me to believe that amps are more susceptible to cable and speaker impedance than we would model this way. I don’t think the model as outlined above fully accounts for what I’ve heard in all instances. This does not mean speaker cables are worth $30,000. It just means I think there’s untapped research to be done there.

Best,

E

Reaching out to those that know this stuff: does damping factor play a role with (influencing) perceived scale (image size)? If so, how? Thanks.

Member @stephendunn from the Cube Audio Nenuphar thread:

one area in which the SIT-1 excelled that I believe might be related to damping factor is scale

the SIT-1 bring[s] a noticeably increased sense of largeness through a sound stage that opens more in every direction

Does this have something to do with damping factor?

 

According to Pass the SIT-1 damping factor doesn’t change with frequency. The Cube is a single driver speaker, looking at the standard vertical scale at 50dB there’s a lot of axial variation from 20 -300 hz, below 100hz it looks a little strange. It’s probably bumping the bass below 100hz and above 10khz with distortion and then rolling off at about 15khz. Looks like it would sound good paired with the SIT-1 not sure DF would have anything to do with it.

The frequency and phase response is flat, distortion
harmonics are consistent in amplitude and phase relationship, and the damping factor remains the same.

@djones51  Thank you!

@david_ten asked: " Reaching out to those that know this stuff: does damping factor play a role with (influencing) perceived scale (image size)? If so, how? Thanks. " 

Not directly, to the best of my knowledge, but imo it can indirectly. 

My understanding is that low damping factor generally calls for high amounts of global negative feedback, which in turn can obscure low-level detail.  And soundstage size and depth, along with a sense of immersion or envelopment, benefit from preserving low-level detail. 

That being said I'm not an amplifier guy, but as a dealer for both types and as a speaker manufacturer and dealer, I've had a fair amount of experience in driving the same speakers with both high and low damping factor amplifiers. 

Here's another paper which examines the two paradigms of amplifier design, the constant-voltage paradigm (most solid state, generally high damping factor) and constant-power paradigm (mostly tubes, generally low damping factor).  This paper was particularly useful to me as a speaker designer: 

http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.php  

Duke