This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Speakers category on DigiKey.com
Speaker products are audio frequency electromagnetic transducers used primarily to turn energy in the format of an electrical signal into mechanical compression waves travelling through an atmospheric air environment for reproduction of speech, music, or similar material. Products designed for general purpose reproduction of partial regions of the human audible frequency range (subwoofers, woofers, tweeters, etc.) are included, as well as full range products and special purpose transducers tailored for headset or in-ear applications.
SelectionCharacteristics
Technology: Indicates the base technology used to construct the speaker.
Type: Indicates a specific style or functionality of the speaker, where applicable.
Frequency Range: Indicates the frequency range the speaker can produce.
Frequency - Self Resonant: Indicates the device’s resonant frequency. At this level SPL (Sound Pressure Level) reaches its maximum. Frequencies above and below this level are less responsive.
Impedance: Indicates the impedance value of the device, to allow for impedance matching.
Efficiency - dBA: An indication of sound pressure level generated by a transducer under measurement conditions described in the Efficiency-Testing and efficiency-type attributes.
Efficiency - Testing: A general indication of how much sound the device can produce for a given amount of power expenditure, with higher figures representing more sound per watt. Defined under manufacturer-specified test conditions.
Efficiency - Type: Indicates which testing methods were used to determine the device’s efficiency specifications and what those efficiency specifications apply to.
Power - Rated: Characterizes the amount of power that can be dissipated in a device on a continuous basis.
Power - Max: Characterizes the maximum amount of power that can be dissipated by the device over short, noncontinuous periods without suffering damage.
Port Location: Describes location of a hole in a device for sound transmission, relative to the electrical contacts. Applies primarily to devices that consist of a moving diaphragm enclosed within an outer shroud.
Shape: Indicates the physical shape of the speaker.
Material - Cone: Indicates the material composition of the device’s cone, determining various properties about its sound generation.
Material - Magnet: Indicates the material composition of the device’s magnet, determining some of its electrical properties.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
IP Ratings
| Solids | Liquids | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Ratings: Minimum performance standards of the device, which are typically set by a third party.
Termination: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as fast-on terminals, PC pins, or wire leads.
Size / Dimension: The physical dimensions of the device. Given as either a Diameter or as Length X Width, in Inches (Millimeters).
Height - Seated (Max): Indicates how far the device will extend above the surface to which it has been attached.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | SPKM.15.8.A |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 931-SPKM.15.8.A-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Taoglas Limited |
| DESCRIPTION | 8 Ohms General Purpose Speaker 500 mW 10 Hz ~ 11 kHz Top Round |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | CDM-20008 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 102-2502-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | CUI Devices |
| DESCRIPTION | 8 Ohms General Purpose Speaker 300 mW 448 Hz ~ 7 kHz Top Round |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | AS01508MO-SP11-LW25-R |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 668-AS01508MO-SP11-LW25-R-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | PUI Audio, Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | 8 Ohms Receiver Speaker 700 mW 600 Hz ~ 20 kHz Top Rectangular |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | SP-1609S |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 433-1132-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Soberton Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | 8 Ohms General Purpose Speaker 700 mW 200 Hz ~ 5 kHz Top Rectangular |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
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MediaLinks
Articles
Micro Speaker Enclosure Design Best Practices
What Are the Advantages of MEMS Loudspeakers
The Importance of Resonance and Resonant Frequency in Audio Systems
Product Training Modules
Enclosed Speaker Components - PUI Audio
Speakers Overview - CUI Devices
TechForum
Audio Systems: Impedance, Speakers, Subwoofers, Amplifiers
Speaker Cone Material - which is better?