JP2018530171A - Omnidirectional speaker system, associated apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An omnidirectional speaker system includes a deflector subassembly and a pair of acoustic subassemblies. The deflector subassembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors. Each of the acoustic subassemblies includes an acoustic driver for radiating acoustic energy toward an associated one of the acoustic deflectors. The acoustic subassembly is coupled together via a deflector subassembly.

Description

[Related applications]
This application is filed on Mar. 10, 2015 claiming the benefit from US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 110,493, filed Jan. 31, 2015, entitled “Acoustic Defector Omni-Directional Speaker System”. Which is a continuation-in-part of US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 643,216 entitled “Acoustic Defector for Omni-Directional Speaker System”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. ing.

  Conventional acoustic deflectors in speaker systems can exhibit artifacts in the acoustic spectrum due to the acoustic modes that exist between the acoustic driver and the acoustic deflector. The present disclosure relates to acoustic deflectors for uniform resonant response for omnidirectional speaker systems.

  In one aspect, an omnidirectional speaker system includes a deflector subassembly and a pair of acoustic subassemblies. The deflector subassembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors. Each of the acoustic subassemblies includes an acoustic driver for radiating acoustic energy toward an associated one of the acoustic deflectors. The acoustic subassembly is coupled together via a deflector subassembly.

  Implementations can include one of the following features, or any combination of those features.

  In some implementations, each of the acoustic subassemblies includes an acoustic enclosure, and the deflector subassemblies are each acoustic at a respective connection between the associated one of the acoustic drivers and the acoustic enclosure. Coupled to the acoustic subassembly to allow the formation of a seal.

  In a particular implementation, the pair of acoustic subassemblies comprises a first acoustic subassembly. The first acoustic subassembly includes a first acoustic driver and a first acoustic enclosure. The first acoustic driver has a first pair of fasteners via a first pair of fasteners that partially form a first acoustic seal at the joint between the first acoustic driver and the first acoustic enclosure. Coupled to the acoustic enclosure. The deflector subassembly is coupled to the first acoustic subassembly via a second pair of fasteners to complete the first acoustic seal.

  In some examples, each fastener of the second pair of fasteners passes through a respective hole in the deflector subassembly and the first acoustic driver and is threaded into the first acoustic enclosure.

  In a particular example, the pair of acoustic subassemblies also includes a second acoustic subassembly. The second acoustic subassembly includes a second acoustic driver and a second acoustic enclosure. The second acoustic driver has a second pair of fasteners via a third pair of fasteners that partially form a second acoustic seal at the joint between the second acoustic driver and the second acoustic enclosure. Coupled to the acoustic enclosure. The deflector subassembly is coupled to the second acoustic subassembly via a fourth pair of fasteners to complete the second acoustic seal.

  In some cases, each fastener of the fourth pair of fasteners passes through a respective hole in the second acoustic enclosure and the second acoustic driver and threads into the deflector subassembly.

  In certain cases, the deflector subassembly includes a plurality of vertical legs that are coupled to the acoustic subassembly via the vertical legs.

  In some implementations, the deflector subassembly is coupled to the first of the acoustic subassemblies via a first diametrically opposed pair of vertical legs, and the deflector subassembly Are coupled to a second of the acoustic subassemblies via a second diametrically opposed pair of vertical legs.

  In a particular implementation, a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors together define a common (shared) acoustic chamber.

  In some examples, the deflector subassembly includes a sound absorbing member disposed within the sound chamber.

  In a particular example, the acoustic absorbing member is held in a compressed state by a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors.

  In some cases, compression of the sound absorbing member changes the acoustic characteristics of the sound absorbing member.

  Another aspect features a method of assembling an omnidirectional acoustic assembly. The method includes: a deflector subassembly comprising a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors; a first acoustic subassembly comprising a first acoustic enclosure and a first acoustic driver; Coupling to be arranged to radiate acoustic energy toward a first one of the deflectors. The method includes turning a deflector subassembly into a second acoustic subassembly comprising a second acoustic driver and a second acoustic enclosure, wherein the second acoustic driver is a second acoustic of the acoustic deflectors. Also included is coupling to be arranged to radiate acoustic energy toward the deflector.

  Implementations may include one of the above and / or following features, or any combination of those features.

  In some implementations, the step of coupling the deflector subassembly to the first acoustic subassembly includes the first acoustic seal at the coupling between the first acoustic driver and the first acoustic enclosure. Complete.

  In certain implementations, coupling the deflector subassembly to the first acoustic subassembly includes passing a fastener through respective holes in the deflector subassembly and the first acoustic driver; And screwing into a threaded engagement with the first acoustic enclosure.

  In some examples, coupling the deflector subassembly to the second acoustic subassembly includes passing a fastener through respective holes in the second acoustic enclosure and the second acoustic driver; Screwing the fastener into threaded engagement with the deflector subassembly.

  In certain examples, coupling the deflector subassembly to the first acoustic subassembly passes a first pair of fasteners through respective holes in the deflector subassembly and the first acoustic driver. Coupling the deflector subassembly to the second acoustic subassembly comprising: and screwing the first pair of fasteners into threaded engagement with the first acoustic enclosure; Passing a second pair of fasteners through respective holes in the second acoustic enclosure and the second acoustic driver; and screwing the second pair of fasteners into threaded engagement with the deflector subassembly. Intruding step.

  Another aspect is arranged such that a pair of diametrically opposed omnidirectional acoustic deflectors and a first acoustic deflector of the acoustic deflectors deflect the acoustic energy emitted from the first acoustic subassembly. Thus, an acoustic deflector subassembly is provided comprising a first pair of vertical legs for mounting on a first acoustic subassembly. The acoustic deflector subassembly is arranged such that the second acoustic deflector of the acoustic deflectors is arranged to deflect the acoustic energy emitted from the second acoustic subassembly. A second pair of vertical legs for mounting on the assembly is also provided.

  Implementations may include one of the above and / or following features, or any combination of those features.

  In some implementations, each of the omnidirectional acoustic deflectors comprises an acoustic reflector having a frustoconical shape including a generally conical outer surface, a top surface, and a conical axis. Each acoustic reflector has an opening in the upper surface centered on the conical axis. The acoustic absorbing material is disposed in the opening on the upper surface of the acoustic reflector.

  In a particular implementation, each conical axis of the omnidirectional acoustic deflector is coaxial.

  According to yet another aspect, the acoustic deflector subassembly includes a pair of diametrically opposed omnidirectional acoustic deflectors. Each of the omnidirectional acoustic deflectors includes an acoustic reflector having a frustoconical shape including a generally conical outer surface, an upper surface, and a conical axis. Each acoustic reflector has an opening in the upper surface centered on the conical axis. The acoustic reflector together defines a shared acoustic chamber that is acoustically coupled with an opening in the upper surface of the acoustic reflector.

  Implementations may include one of the above and / or following features, or any combination of those features.

  In some implementations, the acoustic reflectors include recesses disposed about their respective generally conical outer surfaces.

1 is a perspective view of an acoustic assembly for an omnidirectional speaker system. FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the acoustic assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. FIG. 1B is a perspective assembly view showing stepwise assembly of an omnidirectional sound system including the acoustic assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a perspective assembly view showing stepwise assembly of an omnidirectional sound system including the acoustic assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a perspective assembly view showing stepwise assembly of an omnidirectional sound system including the acoustic assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a perspective assembly view showing stepwise assembly of an omnidirectional sound system including the acoustic assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a perspective assembly view showing stepwise assembly of an omnidirectional sound system including the acoustic assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a perspective assembly view showing stepwise assembly of an omnidirectional sound system including the acoustic assembly of FIG. 1A. It is sectional drawing from the side of an omnidirectional speaker system. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the omnidirectional speaker system of FIG. 3.

  Several benefits are known for omnidirectional speaker systems. These benefits include a more spacious sound image due to reflection when the speaker system is placed near a boundary, such as an interior wall. Another benefit is that the speaker system does not have to be oriented in a particular direction in order for the speaker system to achieve an optimal high frequency range. This second advantage is particularly desirable for speaker systems and / or mobile speaker systems where the listener may move.

  1A and 1B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an acoustic assembly 100 for an omnidirectional speaker system. The acoustic assembly comprises a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic subassemblies 102a, 102b (collectively referred to by reference numeral 102) coupled together via a common deflector subassembly 104. Each of the acoustic subassemblies 102 includes acoustic enclosures 106a, 106b (collectively referenced 106) and acoustic drivers 108a, 108b (collectively referenced 108).

  Each acoustic enclosure 106 has a base 110a, 110b (collectively referenced 110) and a plurality of sidewalls 112a, 112b (collectively referenced 112) extending from the base to the opposite open end. With. The associated acoustic driver 108 is such that the driver's rear radiating surface radiates acoustic energy to the acoustic enclosure 106 and the acoustic energy radiated from the opposite front radiating surface of the acoustic driver 108 is deflector subassembly. It is fixed to the open end so as to propagate toward 104.

  The deflector subassembly 104 includes a pair of diametrically opposed omnidirectional acoustic deflectors 114a, 114b (collectively referred to by reference numeral 114). Each of the acoustic deflectors 114 has four vertical legs 116 on which a corresponding one of the acoustic subassemblies 102 is mounted. The acoustic subassemblies 102 are mounted such that the motion axes of their respective acoustic drivers 108 are coaxial.

  The acoustic energy generated by the acoustic driver 108 propagates toward the deflector subassembly 104, and each generally conical outer surface of the acoustic deflector 114 causes the nominally horizontal direction (ie, the acoustic driver 108's In a direction substantially perpendicular to the motion axis). There are eight substantially rectangular openings 120. Each opening 120 is defined by one of the acoustic subassembly, the base 122 of the deflector subassembly 104, and a pair of vertical legs 116. These eight openings 120 are acoustic openings through which acoustic energy that propagates horizontally passes. It should be understood that the propagation of acoustic energy in a given direction includes the diffusion of propagating acoustic energy, for example by diffraction.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the acoustic deflectors 114 nominally has a truncated cone. In other examples, the respective slope of the conical outer surface between the base and the apex of the cone is not constant. For example, one or both of the outer surfaces of the acoustic deflector 114 may have a non-linear inclined contour, such as a parabolic contour or a contour represented by a truncated rotational hyperboloid. The body of the acoustic deflector 114 can be made from any suitable acoustically reflective material. For example, the body can be formed from plastic, stone, metal, or other rigid material.

  In the illustrated example, each of the omnidirectional acoustic deflectors 114 includes two features that can contribute to the enhancement of the acoustic spectrum. First, there is an acoustically absorbing region located along the acoustically reflecting surface. As shown in FIG. 1B, each of these regions includes openings 124a, 124b (collectively denoted by the cone axis at the top of the truncated cone of the corresponding one of the acoustic deflectors 114. 124), and within the acoustic deflector 114, an acoustic absorbing material 126 is disposed therein. This acoustic absorbing material 126 attenuates energy present at or near the lowest degree of circularly symmetric resonant mode peak. In some implementations, the diameter of each of the openings 126 is such that the attenuation resulting from the acoustic energy by the acoustic driver 108 is limited to an acceptable level while achieving a desired level of smoothing of the acoustic spectrum. Selected.

  In the illustrated implementation, the sound absorbing material 126 is a foam (eg, a melamine foam). In particular, the bodies of the acoustic deflectors 114 together form a common body cavity 128 (also known as an acoustic chamber), which in the illustrated example is such that the foam is adjacent to the opening. Alternatively, it is filled with a single volume of foam so that the foam extends into the opening. Alternatively, a separate foam element may be placed in each opening such that only a portion of the body cavity 128 is occupied by the foam. In one implementation, the foam present in each of the central openings 124 is at one end of a cylindrical foam element disposed within the body cavity 128. In some cases, the foam element is oversized and compressed between the bodies of the acoustic deflectors 114 to achieve the desired acoustic properties (eg, desired acoustic absorption).

  The body cavity 128, along with the opening 124, acts as a Helmholtz resonator (ie, a shared or dual Helmholtz resonator) to attenuate certain acoustic modes. By combining the volume between the two acoustic deflectors, there is a larger volume that functions in the sense of energy capture that makes the Helmholtz resonator function. Sharing such a common acoustic chamber effectively increases the volume at which each one of the deflectors can be used individually, thereby increasing the size of the volume to turn off the acoustic mode.

  A second feature of the acoustic deflector 114 that may contribute to an improvement in the acoustic spectrum is that the recesses 130a, 130b (sets), shown nominally as ring-shaped valleys, are positioned along the circumference of the conical outer surface. Also known as symbol 130). In one example, the recesses 130 are each disposed around the second harmonic overtone peak of the resonance mode. In another example, one or both of the recesses 130 may be located at a radius that is approximately one half of the radius of the conical base.

  Alternatively or additionally, the recess 130 may match / correspond to the characteristics of the acoustic driver. That is, the recess may be provided to accept movement of the acoustic driver feature relative to the omnidirectional acoustic deflector (eg, movement of the acoustic driver diaphragm).

  2A through 2F illustrate a step-by-step assembly of an omnidirectional speaker system that includes the acoustic assembly 100. Beginning with FIG. 2A, the bodies of acoustic deflectors 114 are brought together, for example, in a welding operation, to define a body cavity 128 (FIG. 1B) therebetween. In some examples, a hot plate welding procedure couples the deflector bodies together and acoustically seals the body cavity 128 at the joint between the two deflector bodies (FIG. 1B). Is used to form The weld line 132 can be formed by a rib (eg, a plastic rib) that is heated during a hot plate welding operation. A cylindrical article of sound absorbing material 126 (eg, foam) is placed between the bodies and compressed during assembly operations to provide the desired deflector subassembly 104 with the desired sound absorbing properties. The

  FIG. 2B shows the assembly of the first acoustic subassembly 102a. A first end of the electrical wiring 200 is passed through the opening 202 in the first acoustic enclosure 106a through the grommet 204, and is connected to a terminal (not shown) in the first acoustic driver 108a. The electrical wiring 200 provides an electrical signal to the first acoustic driver 108a to drive the first acoustic driver 108a. The grommet 204 helps to ensure that the opening 202 in the first acoustic enclosure 106a is acoustically sealed in the final assembly.

  Next, the first acoustic driver 108a is fixed to the first acoustic enclosure 106a via a pair of fasteners 206 that pass through holes in the mounting bracket of the first acoustic driver 108a, and the first acoustic enclosure 108a. Screwed into the body 106a. In that regard, the fastener 206 can engage a pre-formed threaded hole in the first acoustic enclosure 106a, or can form a threaded hole when engaged with the first acoustic enclosure 106a. . A perimeter gasket 208 is provided at the open end of the first acoustic enclosure 106a to help provide an acoustic seal at the joint between the first acoustic driver 108a and the first acoustic enclosure 106a. . The assembly of the second acoustic subassembly 102b (FIG. 1A) is substantially the same as the assembly of the first acoustic subassembly 102a and is therefore not described for the sake of brevity.

  Referring now to FIG. 2C, it passes through holes in the first pair of diametrically opposite legs of the vertical legs 116, then passes through holes in the mounting bracket of the first acoustic driver 108a, and then The deflector subassembly 104 is fixed to the first acoustic subassembly 102a via a pair of fasteners 210 that are screwed into the first acoustic enclosure 106a. In that regard, the fastener 210 can engage a pre-formed threaded hole in the first acoustic enclosure 106a, or can form a threaded hole when engaged with the first acoustic enclosure 106a. . This completes coupling the deflector subassembly 104 to the first acoustic subassembly 102a and provides an acoustic seal at the joint between the first acoustic driver 108a and the first acoustic enclosure 106a. Complete.

  Referring to FIG. 2D, when the deflector subassembly 104 is fastened to the first acoustic subassembly 102a, the second acoustic subassembly 102b passes through a hole in the second acoustic enclosure 106b, Next, another pair of fasteners 212 (not shown) that pass through a hole in the mounting bracket of the second acoustic driver 108b and then screw into a second pair of diametrically opposite legs of the vertical legs 116. ) To the deflector subassembly 104. In that regard, the fastener 212 can engage a pre-formed threaded hole in the vertical leg 116 or can form a threaded hole when engaged with the vertical leg 116. This completes coupling the second acoustic subassembly 102b to the deflector subassembly 104 and provides an acoustic seal at the joint between the second acoustic driver 108b and the second acoustic enclosure 106b. Complete. In this manner, coupling the acoustic subassemblies 102 together through the deflector subassemblies can help eliminate the need for fasteners that are visible in the finished assembly.

  Referring to FIG. 2E, a second free end of electrical wiring 200 for the acoustic driver is attached to a printed wiring board (PWB) 214, which connects external electrical connections (eg, audio signal source (FIG. It also supports an electrical connector 216 for provisioning) (not shown). The PWB 214 is disposed adjacent to the base 110b of the second acoustic enclosure 106b. The flexible member 218 (eg, a piece of foam) is disposed between the base 110b of the second acoustic enclosure 106b and the PWB 214. As described below, the flexible member 218 functions to bias the PWB 214 against the end cap (230b, FIG. 2F) in the completed assembly.

  With reference to FIGS. 2F and 3, a band of vibration absorbing material 220 is wrapped around each of the acoustic subassemblies 102 and a hollow outer sleeve 222 is slid over the acoustic assembly 100. The sleeve 222 rests on a lip 226 in which a first recess 224 (FIG. 3) formed at the first open end of the sleeve 222 is formed around the base 110a of the first acoustic enclosure 106a. As shown, the acoustic assembly is slid over the acoustic assembly from the second acoustic subassembly 102b toward the first acoustic subassembly 102a. In this respect, the lip 226 is only used as a strong stop for dropping, and there is a gap for preventing vibration noise. The sleeve 222 may be formed from a rigid material such as plastic or metal (eg, aluminum) and may be acoustically coupled to permit the passage of acoustic energy emitted from the acoustic driver 108 and deflected by the deflector subassembly 104. It includes a perforated region 228 aligned with the opening 120 in the solid 100. The vibration absorbing material 220 suppresses vibration noise (undesired noise) that may otherwise be caused by relative movement of the acoustic assembly 100 and the sleeve 222 during operation of the omnidirectional speaker system 300 (FIG. 3). To help.

  Finally, a first end cap 230a and a second end cap 230b are respectively disposed at the first open end and the second open end of the sleeve 222 to provide a finished appearance. In this regard, the first end cap 230a is coupled to the base 110a of the first acoustic enclosure 106a (eg, via an adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive), and the second end cap 230b is At the second open end of the sleeve 222 and the second acoustic enclosure 106b, it is coupled to the sleeve 222 (eg, via an adhesive such as hot melt polyethylene).

  The second end cap 230b includes an opening 232 through which the terminal 234 of the electrical connector 216 can pass. As described above, the flexible member 218 allows the terminal 234 to project through the opening 232 with a sufficient distance to allow sufficient electrical connection with sufficient preload to prevent vibration noise. To help ensure, the PWB 214 is biased against the second end cap 230b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the assembled omnidirectional speaker system 300 has a smooth appearance with no seams along the length of the sleeve and no visible mechanical fasteners.

  In general, an omnidirectional acoustic deflector according to the principles described herein acts as an acoustic smoothing filter by providing an improved acoustic resonant volume between the acoustic driver and the acoustic deflector. It should be understood that the acoustic spectrum can be adjusted to change the acoustic spectrum by adjusting the size and location of the acoustically absorbing region. Similarly, the contour of the acoustically reflecting surface can be non-linear (ie, different from a perfect conical surface) and can be defined to alter the acoustic spectrum. Also, non-circular symmetric extensions on the acoustically reflecting surface, such as the radial extensions described above, can be utilized to achieve an acceptable acoustic spectrum.

  Several implementations have been described. However, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein.

100 acoustic assembly 102 acoustic subassembly 102a first acoustic subassembly 102b second acoustic subassembly 104 deflector subassembly 106 acoustic enclosure 106a first acoustic enclosure 106b second acoustic enclosure 108 Acoustic driver 108a First acoustic driver 108b Second acoustic driver 110, 110a, 110b Base 112, 112a, 112b Side wall 114, 114a, 114b Omnidirectional acoustic deflector 116 Leg 120 Opening 122 Base 124, 124a, 124b Opening 126 Acoustic Absorbent material 128 Body cavity 130, 130a, 130b Recess 132 Weld line 200 Electrical wiring 202 Opening 204 Grommet 206 Fastener 208 Peripheral gasket 210 Fastener 212 Fastener 214 Printed wiring board (PWB)
216 Electrical connector 218 Flexible member 220 Vibration absorbing material 222 Sleeve 224 Recess 226 Lip 228 Region 230a First end cap 230b Second end cap 232 Opening 234 Terminal 300 Omnidirectional speaker system

Claims (29)

A deflector subassembly comprising a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors;
A pair of acoustic subassemblies each comprising an acoustic driver for radiating acoustic energy toward an associated one of the acoustic deflectors;
With
An omnidirectional speaker system in which the acoustic subassemblies are coupled together via the deflector subassembly. Each of the acoustic subassemblies comprises an acoustic enclosure;
The deflector subassembly is adapted to the acoustic subassembly to allow formation of a respective acoustic seal at a respective joint between an associated one of the acoustic drivers and the acoustic enclosure. The omnidirectional speaker system of claim 1, wherein the omnidirectional speaker system is coupled. The pair of acoustic subassemblies comprises a first acoustic subassembly comprising a first acoustic driver and a first acoustic enclosure,
The first acoustic driver is via a first pair of fasteners that partially form a first acoustic seal at a joint between the first acoustic driver and the first acoustic enclosure. , Coupled to the first acoustic enclosure,
The total deflector sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein the deflector sub-assembly is coupled to the first acoustic sub-assembly via a second pair of fasteners to complete the first acoustic seal. Directional speaker system.   The fasteners of each of the second pair of fasteners pass through respective holes in the deflector subassembly and the first acoustic driver and threadably engage with the first acoustic enclosure. The omnidirectional speaker system according to 3. The pair of acoustic subassemblies further comprises a second acoustic subassembly comprising a second acoustic driver and a second acoustic enclosure,
The second acoustic driver is via a third pair of fasteners that partially form a second acoustic seal at the joint between the second acoustic driver and the second acoustic enclosure. , Coupled to the second acoustic enclosure,
The total deflector subassembly of claim 4, wherein the deflector subassembly is coupled to the second acoustic subassembly via a fourth pair of fasteners to complete the second acoustic seal. Directional speaker system.   The fasteners of each of the fourth pair of fasteners pass through respective holes in the second acoustic enclosure and the second acoustic driver and threadably engage with the deflector subassembly. 5. The omnidirectional speaker system according to 5.   The omnidirectional speaker system of claim 1, wherein the deflector subassembly comprises a plurality of vertical legs, the deflector subassembly being coupled to the acoustic subassembly via the vertical legs. . The deflector subassembly is coupled to a first acoustic subassembly of the pair of acoustic subassemblies via a first diametrically opposed pair of the vertical legs;
8. The deflector subassembly is coupled to a second acoustic subassembly of the pair of acoustic subassemblies via a second diametrically opposed pair of vertical legs. Omnidirectional speaker system.   The omnidirectional speaker system of claim 1, wherein the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors together define a common acoustic chamber.   The omnidirectional speaker system according to claim 9, wherein the deflector subassembly includes a sound absorbing member disposed in the acoustic chamber.   The omnidirectional speaker system according to claim 10, wherein the acoustic absorbing member is held in a compressed state by the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors.   The omnidirectional speaker system according to claim 11, wherein the compression of the sound absorbing member changes an acoustic characteristic of the sound absorbing member. A method of assembling an omnidirectional acoustic assembly,
A deflector subassembly comprising a pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors is replaced with a first acoustic subassembly comprising a first acoustic enclosure and a first acoustic driver, wherein the first acoustic driver is Coupling to be arranged to radiate acoustic energy toward a first of the diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors;
The deflector subassembly is replaced with a second acoustic subassembly comprising a second acoustic driver and a second acoustic enclosure, wherein the second acoustic driver is one of the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors. Coupling to be arranged to radiate acoustic energy towards a second acoustic deflector;
Including methods.   The step of coupling the deflector subassembly to the first acoustic subassembly completes a first acoustic seal at a coupling between the first acoustic driver and the first acoustic enclosure. The method according to claim 13.   The step of coupling the deflector subassembly to the first acoustic subassembly includes passing a fastener through respective holes in the deflector subassembly and the first acoustic driver; 14. A method according to claim 13, comprising screwing a tool into a threaded engagement with the first acoustic enclosure.   Coupling the deflector subassembly to the second acoustic subassembly includes passing fasteners through respective holes in the second acoustic enclosure and the second acoustic driver; 14. A method according to claim 13, comprising screwing a fastener into a threaded engagement with the deflector subassembly. The step of coupling the deflector subassembly to the first acoustic subassembly passes a first pair of fasteners through respective holes in the deflector subassembly and the first acoustic driver. And screwing the first pair of fasteners into threaded engagement with the first acoustic enclosure;
The step of coupling the deflector subassembly to the second acoustic subassembly passes a second pair of fasteners through respective holes in the second acoustic enclosure and the second acoustic driver. 14. The method of claim 13, comprising the steps of: and screwing the second pair of fasteners into a threaded engagement with the deflector subassembly. A pair of diametrically opposite omnidirectional acoustic deflectors;
The first acoustic subassembly is arranged such that a first omnidirectional acoustic deflector of the omnidirectional acoustic deflectors is arranged to deflect acoustic energy emitted from the first acoustic subassembly. A first pair of vertical legs for mounting on;
The second acoustic subassembly such that a second omnidirectional acoustic deflector of the omnidirectional acoustic deflectors is arranged to deflect the acoustic energy emitted from the second acoustic subassembly. A second pair of vertical legs for mounting on,
An acoustic deflector subassembly comprising:   The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 18, wherein the pair of diametrically opposed omnidirectional acoustic deflectors share a common acoustic chamber.   The acoustic deflector subassembly according to claim 19, wherein the acoustic deflector subassembly includes a sound absorbing member disposed in the acoustic chamber.   21. The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 20, wherein the acoustic absorbing member is held in compression by the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors.   The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 21, wherein compression of the acoustic absorbing member changes acoustic characteristics of the acoustic absorbing member.   Each of the omnidirectional acoustic deflectors includes an acoustic reflector having a frustoconical shape including a generally conical outer surface, an upper surface, and a conical axis, wherein each acoustic reflector is centered on the conical axis. The acoustic deflector subassembly according to claim 18, wherein the top surface has an opening, and the sound absorbing material is disposed in the opening in the top surface of the acoustic reflector.   24. The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 23, wherein the respective conical axes of the omnidirectional acoustic deflector are coaxial. With a pair of diametrically opposite omnidirectional acoustic deflectors,
Each of the omnidirectional acoustic deflectors includes an acoustic reflector having a frustoconical shape including a generally conical outer surface, an upper surface, and a conical axis, wherein each acoustic reflector is centered on the conical axis. Having an opening in the upper surface;
The acoustic deflector subassembly, wherein the acoustic reflector together defines a shared acoustic chamber that is acoustically coupled to the opening in the upper surface of the acoustic reflector.   26. The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 25, wherein the acoustic reflector includes a recess disposed about a respective substantially conical outer surface of the acoustic reflector.   26. The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 25, wherein the acoustic deflector subassembly includes a sound absorbing member disposed within the acoustic chamber.   28. The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 27, wherein the acoustic absorbing member is held in compression by the pair of diametrically opposed acoustic deflectors.   30. The acoustic deflector subassembly of claim 28, wherein compression of the acoustic absorbing member changes acoustic characteristics of the acoustic absorbing member.

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