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Damping Factor - Interesting article

Benchmark Media published interesting article on Damping Factor.  I already knew that it does not make much difference for the damping of the membrane, but low output impedance is necessary to drive changing impedance ot the speaker (ideal voltage source).  According to this article DF=100 produces about 0.5dB variations typically, while DF=200 reduces it to 0.1dB.  DF above 200 is inaudible.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-damping-factor-isnt-much-of-a-factor?omnisendAttributionID=email_campaign_5eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2&omnisendContactID=5cf9266b15b61cc5a2a4dee7&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+AUDIO+MYTH+-+%22DAMPING+FACTOR+ISN%27T+MUCH+OF+A+FACTOR%22+%285eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

128x128kijanki
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,841 posts
 
What is likely to product worse cone breakup, a high DF or a low DF?
To my understanding, cone breakup has nothing to do with the amplifier.
roberttdid
534 posts
 
High damping factor directly into a driver as opposed to electrical dampening, can make high frequency ringing of the cone worse exacerbating some breakup modes. From a high level model, high DF can be like holding the voice coil stiff while the cone flexes. With low DF, the voice coil is not stationary and moves with the flex, and the increased resistance of the lower DF dissipates the energy of the motion. Very high level, almost like adding a resistor to a snubber.

I should clarify, I am not saying a huge improvement, but the low DF will in many cases be better.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,841 posts
 
I am not saying a huge improvement, but the low DF will in many cases be better.
That's an interesting idea- but I suspect one that has not seen a lot of study.
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kijanki's avatar
kijanki OP
4,428 posts
 
but the low DF will in many cases be better.

How low?  For electrical damping of 8ohm speaker difference between DF=10 and DF=100 will be like 6.8ohm vs 6.08ohm (assuming 6ohm as resistance of 8ohm coil).  It is about 12% difference in breaking current.

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