Do larger planar speakers produce more accurate sound?


Planar speakers generate sound pressure via vibrating membrane panels. The excursion of the membrane x radiating area= sound pressure. This would mean that for a given sound level, membranes have smaller excursion in larger planar speakers than in smaller ones. Does this mean that larger speakers will produce more accurate sound?

I am not talking about the obvious benefits of the larger speakers in terms of low frequency production, so let's not get into that.

chungjh

Disclosure: Speaker designer (planars too) and Manufacturer.

The OP's question is: Do larger planar speakers produce more accurate sound?

The challenge of answering the question is that "accurate sound" is not well defined. If he is asking about accuracy of the waveform produced by a planar transducer compared to the input signal, within the frequencies and amplitude the transducers are designed for and everything else being equal the answer is no. An argument can easily be made that smaller planar traducers are more "accurate". 

Most of what is being discussed here by others is about dispersion patterns, room interaction and other design choices. Furthermore, "planar" is not defined here. There are several types of planars. 

 

@arion I apologize for the lack of clarity. By "accurate", I meant realism. Sor the sake of simplicity, let's focus on electrostatics.  To generate the same SPL with smaller radiating surface, it would mean greater excursion of the membrane than with larger radiating surface. I would think that the requirement of greater excursion would mean loss of tension (over many years) in the membrane and less resolution. Unless membranes require large excursion to produce higher resolution.

richopp, I do not get listening fatigue from my Quads. Which makes me wonder what type of amplification you’re using. I’m driving my 2905’s with an ASR Emitter Exclusive and I get bored before getting any fatigue.

@goofyfoot How do you like your ASR? Resolution? How often do you have to replace the batteries?