Editing Thiele/Small parameters (section)

{{Short description|Set of electromechanical parameters}}
'''Thiele/Small parameters''' (commonly abbreviated T/S parameters, or TSP) are a set of [[Electromechanics|electromechanical]] [[parameter]]s that define the specified low frequency performance of a [[Loudspeaker#Driver design: dynamic loudspeakers|loudspeaker driver]]. These parameters are published in specification sheets by driver manufacturers so that designers have a guide in selecting off-the-shelf drivers for loudspeaker designs. Using these parameters, a loudspeaker designer may simulate the position, velocity and acceleration of the diaphragm, the input impedance and the sound output of a system comprising a loudspeaker and enclosure. Many of the parameters are strictly defined only at the resonant frequency, but the approach is generally applicable in the frequency range where the diaphragm motion is largely pistonic, i.e., when the entire cone moves in and out as a unit without cone breakup.

Rather than purchase off-the-shelf components, loudspeaker design engineers often define desired performance and work backwards to a set of parameters and manufacture a driver with said characteristics or order it from a driver manufacturer. This process of generating parameters from a target response is known as synthesis. Thiele/Small parameters are named after [[A. Neville Thiele]] of the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|Australian Broadcasting Commission]], and [[Richard H. Small]] of the [[University of Sydney]], who pioneered this line of analysis for loudspeakers. A common use of Thiele/Small parameters is in designing [[PA system]] and [[hi-fi]] [[speaker enclosure]]s; the TSP calculations indicate to the speaker design professionals how large a speaker cabinet will need to be and how large and long the [[bass reflex]] port (if it is used) should be.