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Chapter 9

Loudspeaker Directivity and Coverage

by Don Davis

9.1 Essential Definitions

Loudspeaker Coverage (C_∠)

The Acoustic Origin

The Acoustic Center

Directivity Factor (Q) and Coverage Angle (C_∠)

Directivity Plots

Loudspeaker Directivity Factor (Q)

Definition of Q

Geometric Q Transformed to Steradians, sr

Using Steradians for Site Surveys

C_∠, Q, and D₁ for Spherical Segments

Determining Minimum Geometric Q by Loudspeaker Placement

9.2 Describing Q More Accurately

A Subtlety Regarding Q by Placement

9.3 Relationship Between C_∠ and Q in an Idealized Case

9.4 Idealized Loudspeaker Geometry

Classic Method of Obtaining Axial Q

Equal-Angle, Weighted-Area Method

Processing the Polar Plots

The Critical Distance Method

Architectural Mapping

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