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Speaker Design - What's Important And Why

October 15, 2026 · 42 min

Show notes

Phil Ward talks to Julian Rodgers about the fundamental challenges of loudspeaker design, from cabinet construction and bass response, to impedance, directivity and point-source designs. They explore how cost, materials, DSP and advances in driver technology determine the compromises involved in creating accurate studio monitors.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - Why Speakers Sound Different
03:19 - The Impedance Of Air
04:19 - How Cost Determines Outcome
09:19 - Bass Response Challenges
12:03 - The Benefits Of Porting
14:52 - Different Cabinet Designs
17:22 - Point Source
22:29 - Research And Design Changes
28:02 - Development Time
33:55 - Digital Technologies
39:47 - Favourite Speaker

#MordauntShort #Genelec #PMC #Amphion #AsciLab #PURIFI #ATC #LAcoustics #AdamAudio #KiiAudio #DutchAndDutch #HOLOPLOT #PSIAudio


Phil Ward Biog
Phil Ward is a bassist, loudspeaker designer, technical writer and journalist who has worked in the consumer and professional audio industries for more than three decades. He began his career at Mordaunt-Short before going on to work in design and project management roles at Canon and Naim Audio, and has worked as a freelance consultant and writer since 2001. Phil is best known to Sound On Sound readers for his monitor reviews, and has also written extensively for hi-fi, professional audio, music and design publications. He is also a recording engineer and producer, working from his home studio near Brighton.
https://musicandmiscellany.com/

Julian Rodgers Biog
Julian Rodgers is a freelance writer and audio engineer with a background in live sound. After many years working in education introducing new users to Pro Tools, he now lives by the sea in West Cornwall, where he plays keyboards in a couple of bands. He also plays bass and guitar equally badly, and remains an enthusiastic collector of microphones and opinions about all things audio.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-rodgers-04621926

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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