Speakers

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 fundamental technology the device uses for its construction.

Type: Indicates the overall construction of the speaker, denoting its general form, behavior, and function.

Frequency Range: The maximum and minimum frequency range the speaker can produce.

Frequency - Self Resonant: Indicates the device’s resonant frequency. Below this frequency, the device is less able to produce sound for a given input and becomes increasingly less efficient.

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: The physical material the device’s cone is made of, determining various properties about its sound generation.

Material - Magnet: The physical material the device’s magnet is made of, 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.

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 by Width, in Inches (Millimeters).

Height - Seated (Max): Indicates how far the device will extend above the surface to which it has been attached.

ProductExamples

Image

MFR PART # SPKM.15.8.A
DIGI-KEY 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

Image

MFR PART # CDM-20008
DIGI-KEY PART # 102-2502-ND
MANUFACTURER CUI Devices
DESCRIPTION 8 Ohms General Purpose Speaker 300 mW 448 Hz ~ 7 kHz Top Round
DATASHEET Click Here

Image

MFR PART # AS01508MO-SP11-LW25-R
DIGI-KEY 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

Image

MFR PART # SP-1609S
DIGI-KEY PART # 433-1132-ND
MANUFACTURER Soberton Inc.
DESCRIPTION 8 Ohms General Purpose Speaker 700 mW 200 Hz ~ 5 kHz Top Rectangular
DATASHEET Click Here

SchematicSymbol

image

Schematic symbol courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.

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?

If you have any general questions on the specifications for selecting Speakers, please reply using the button below. If you have questions on specific Speakers please post those questions in the Audio Products category.